Raymond Berry facts for kids
Berry on a 1961 trading card
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| No. 82 | |||||||
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| Position: | Split end | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | February 27, 1933 Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
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| Died: | May 25, 2026 (aged 93) Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 187 lb (85 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Paris (Paris, Texas) | ||||||
| College: | Schreiner (1950) SMU (1951–1954) |
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| NFL Draft: | 1954 / Round: 20 / Pick: 232 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Head coaching record | |||||||
| Regular season: | 48–39 (.552) | ||||||
| Postseason: | 3–2 (.600) | ||||||
| Career: | 51–41 (.554) | ||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
| Coaching stats at PFR | |||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Raymond Emmett Berry Jr. (February 27, 1933 – May 25, 2026) was a legendary American football player and coach. He played as a wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts from 1955 to 1967. Later, he became the head coach for the New England Patriots from 1984 to 1989. Berry was known for his incredible dedication and precise playing style. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a special place for the best players in football history. His journey from an overlooked player to a football icon is truly inspiring.
Contents
Raymond Berry: A Football Legend
Early Days and College Challenges
Raymond Emmett Berry Jr. was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 27, 1933. He grew up mostly in Paris, Texas. In high school and college, Raymond didn't catch many passes. He didn't even start on his high school team until his senior year. His own father was the coach!
After high school, Berry played one year of junior college football. This was at Schreiner Institute in 1950. He helped his team have a successful season. Then, he moved to Southern Methodist University (SMU). In three seasons with the SMU Mustangs, he caught only 33 passes. People thought his poor eyesight was the reason. But Raymond explained that colleges back then focused more on running plays. "I didn't catch many passes because not many were thrown," he said. He also played defense, even though he was quite light for a football player.
Becoming a Champion with the Baltimore Colts
Raymond Berry was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1954. He was picked in the 20th round, which is very late. Many thought he wouldn't even make the team. In his first year, he caught only 13 passes. But everything changed when quarterback Johnny Unitas joined the Colts.
From Underdog to Star Player
Berry became a regular starter in his second season. He and Johnny Unitas formed one of the best passing teams ever. They played together for 12 seasons. Berry rarely missed a game during this time. He led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards three times. He also led in receiving touchdowns twice.
The Greatest Game Ever Played
In 1958, Berry had a fantastic season. He led the league with 56 receptions and nine touchdowns. The Colts reached the 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants. This game is famous as "The Greatest Game Ever Played." Berry caught 12 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. He made crucial catches to help the Colts win 23–17 in overtime. This was the team's first championship title.
Setting Records and Winning Titles
The Colts won another championship in 1959. Berry again led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He was the fifth player ever to achieve this "triple crown" in receiving. His 14 receiving touchdowns set a Colts record that lasted for decades. In 1960, he had his best year, catching 74 passes for 1,298 yards. He led the NFL by a wide margin in both categories.
After these amazing years, Berry continued to be a reliable player. He retired in 1967. At that time, he held the NFL records for career receptions (631) and receiving yards (9,275). He also had 68 touchdowns. His teammate Jim Mutscheller said Berry was also an excellent blocker. He even managed to block a much larger Hall of Fame defensive end, Doug Atkins, by studying film and planning his moves.
Coaching the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl
After his playing career, Raymond Berry became a coach. He started as a receivers coach for several teams. These included the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and Cleveland Browns. In 1978, he joined the New England Patriots as a receivers coach.
Leading the Team to Success
In the middle of the 1984 season, Berry became the head coach for the Patriots. He quickly earned the respect of his players. The team improved under his leadership. In 1985, the Patriots had a great season with 11 wins and 5 losses. They made it to the playoffs as a wild card team.
The Patriots then made history. They became the first team to reach the Super Bowl by winning three playoff games on the road. They beat the New York Jets, Los Angeles Raiders, and Miami Dolphins. This was a huge achievement, especially beating the Dolphins in their home stadium for the first time in many years.
Super Bowl XX Challenge
The Patriots faced the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX. The Bears were a very strong team. The Patriots lost the game 46–10. Berry later admitted he couldn't find a way to stop the Bears' powerful defense.
The Patriots had another good season in 1986, winning 11 games. They won their division title. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs. Berry coached the Patriots until 1989. His regular-season coaching record was 48 wins and 39 losses. He also had 3 wins and 2 losses in the playoffs. After leaving the Patriots, he coached quarterbacks for the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos.
Raymond Berry's Secret to Success: Hard Work and Precision
Raymond Berry was famous for overcoming physical challenges. He was skinny and sometimes got injured. When his college teammates first saw him, they joked about his appearance.
Overcoming Physical Hurdles
One story said he had one leg shorter than the other. Berry clarified this wasn't always true. Sometimes, nerve issues in his back caused a temporary misalignment. He wore a back brace for 13 years in the NFL to help with this. He also had poor eyesight and wore contact lenses. He tried many different lenses to find the perfect ones. He even had tinted lenses for sunny days.
The Unitas-Berry Connection
Berry was not the fastest receiver. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds. But he was known for his incredibly precise routes and sure hands. He almost never dropped a pass. He fumbled only once in his entire career! He would squeeze Silly Putty to make his hands stronger.
He and Johnny Unitas practiced together constantly after regular practice. They developed perfect timing. Berry said they had to restart their timing every season, especially for long passes. He knew exactly when Unitas needed to throw the ball. Berry also had 88 different moves to get open from defenders. He practiced every single one each week.
Berry was a quiet and serious person. He preferred not to draw attention to himself. His teammates described him as very orderly and dedicated.
A Lasting Legacy in Football
Raymond Berry was a professed born again Christian and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He said his faith was a "huge part" of his life. In 2005, he moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to be near his family.
Life Off the Field
In 2012, Berry had a special honor at Super Bowl XLVI. He carried the Vince Lombardi Trophy to midfield. He presented it to the New York Giants. This was because the game was played in Indianapolis, the home of his former team, the Colts.
Raymond Berry died in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on May 25, 2026. He was 93 years old. He was survived by his wife, Sally, and their three children and nine grandchildren.
Honors and Recognition
In 1973, Raymond Berry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is one of the highest honors in football. He was also named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994. In 2019, he was selected for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. These teams recognize the best players from the league's history.
His number 82 jersey was retired by the Indianapolis Colts. This means no other player on the team can wear that number. He is also part of the Patriots' 1980s All-Decade Team as a coach. The Baltimore Ravens also honored him in their Ring of Honor.
