Fred Biletnikoff

Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver

What is Fred Biletnikoff known for?

Fred Biletnikoff, born on February 23, 1943 in Erie, Pennsylvania, is a notable alumnus from Technical Memorial High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. Affectionately nicknamed "Scarecrow", he made a name for himself as an American football player, particularly as a wide receiver, and later as an esteemed coach.

After playing college football for the Florida State Seminoles from 1962 to 1964, earning All-American honors, Biletnikoff was drafted in 1965 to the Oakland Raiders. He competed in the AFL, and later the NFL, for fourteen seasons, retiring as an NFL player after the 1978 season. Biletnikoff also played one additional season in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Montreal Alouettes in 1980.

Throughout his phenomenal career, Biletnikoff proved to be a consistent player with sure hands and a propensity for making spectacular catches. He accumulated 589 receptions for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns, and remarkably, had a then-league-record ten straight seasons of 40 or more receptions.

His numerous accolades include Super Bowl champion, AFL champion, Super Bowl MVP, First-team All-Pro, 4x Pro Bowl, 2x AFL All-Star, and NFL receptions leader in 1971. The Florida State Seminoles honored his contribution by retiring his Jersey No. 25. Biletnikoff was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

After retiring as a player, Biletnikoff turned to coaching. He began at the high school and college level before returning to the professional ranks as an assistant coach for the Raiders, among other teams.

His impact on the sport goes beyond realms of gameplay. The Fred Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the most outstanding receiver in NCAA Division I FBS, honors his legacy.

For more details about his stunning career statistics, visit his profiles on NFL.com and Pro Football Reference.