Moments in NFL History: Diamond in the rough
NFL
Published on : 2/27/2026
Hall of Fame wide receiver RAYMOND BERRY wasn’t supposed to make it to Canton, let alone the NFL, Southern Methodist or even his high school football team.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on this day (Feb. 27) in 1933, Berry spent his early years in Paris, Texas, learning quickly what it takes to overcome adversity and persevere through what many would not event try to. Berry was born with one leg shorter than the other, causing him to wear special shoes to account for the difference.
Berry would go on to Paris High School, where his father was the coach, but did not see much playing time until he was a senior. After short stint in Junior College, Berry found his way to Southern Methodist, where his statistics there did not foreshadow his Hall of Fame career. Over his three-year career, Berry only caught 33 passes.
The Baltimore Colts to a flyer on Berry in the 1954 NFL Draft, selecting him in the 20th round. Used sparingly in his rookie campaign, Berry took off after the Colts acquired JOHNNY UNITAS. The next five seasons, Berry led the league in receptions three times (1958-60), yards three times (1957, 1959-60) and yards per game twice (1959-60).
Berry’s mark of three-straight seasons of leading the league in receptions was the first time someone had eclipsed more than back-to-back seasons since DON HUTSON’s five-straight from 1941 to 1945. No other NFL player has eclipsed more than two-straight seasons leading the league in receptions since Berry’s three consecutive seasons.
FIVE (5) SEASONS
THREE (3) SEASONS
TWO (2) SEASONS
Berry ended his 13-year career with 651 total receptions, crossing his three-year career college reception total (33) in 11 of his 13 NFL seasons.
Berry traded in his uniform and helmet for a headset, coaching in various roles (professional and college level) from 1968-1981 and 1984-1992 working for coaches like TOM LANDRY and FORREST GREGG. Most notably, he took over the head coaching role of the New England Patriots in 1984, helping the franchise reach the Super Bowl in 1985.
Back in 1954, nobody thought that a 20th round draft pick would make it to Canton. Berry defined those odds. Through the Class of 2026 at the Hall of Fame, there is only one other Hall of Famer who was selected in a later round than Berry (ROOSEVELT BROWN – 27th round in 1953). Raymond Berry is a true example of achieving success no matter the obstacle!
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on this day (Feb. 27) in 1933, Berry spent his early years in Paris, Texas, learning quickly what it takes to overcome adversity and persevere through what many would not event try to. Berry was born with one leg shorter than the other, causing him to wear special shoes to account for the difference.
Berry would go on to Paris High School, where his father was the coach, but did not see much playing time until he was a senior. After short stint in Junior College, Berry found his way to Southern Methodist, where his statistics there did not foreshadow his Hall of Fame career. Over his three-year career, Berry only caught 33 passes.
The Baltimore Colts to a flyer on Berry in the 1954 NFL Draft, selecting him in the 20th round. Used sparingly in his rookie campaign, Berry took off after the Colts acquired JOHNNY UNITAS. The next five seasons, Berry led the league in receptions three times (1958-60), yards three times (1957, 1959-60) and yards per game twice (1959-60).
Berry’s mark of three-straight seasons of leading the league in receptions was the first time someone had eclipsed more than back-to-back seasons since DON HUTSON’s five-straight from 1941 to 1945. No other NFL player has eclipsed more than two-straight seasons leading the league in receptions since Berry’s three consecutive seasons.
League leader in receptions – consecutive years
FIVE (5) SEASONS
- DON HUTSON (1941-45)
THREE (3) SEASONS
- RAYMOND BERRY (1958-60)
TWO (2) SEASONS
- DON HUTSON (1936-37)
- MAC SPEEDIE (1948-49)
- TOM FEARS (1949-50)
- PETE PIHOS (1954-55)
- Barry Wilson (1956-57)
- KELLEN WINSLOW (1980-81)
- STERLING SHARPE (1992-93)
- Michael Thomas (2018-19)
Berry ended his 13-year career with 651 total receptions, crossing his three-year career college reception total (33) in 11 of his 13 NFL seasons.
Berry traded in his uniform and helmet for a headset, coaching in various roles (professional and college level) from 1968-1981 and 1984-1992 working for coaches like TOM LANDRY and FORREST GREGG. Most notably, he took over the head coaching role of the New England Patriots in 1984, helping the franchise reach the Super Bowl in 1985.
Back in 1954, nobody thought that a 20th round draft pick would make it to Canton. Berry defined those odds. Through the Class of 2026 at the Hall of Fame, there is only one other Hall of Famer who was selected in a later round than Berry (ROOSEVELT BROWN – 27th round in 1953). Raymond Berry is a true example of achieving success no matter the obstacle!