Harold Carmichael
Ilovetocatchtheballtoomuchtofallback.Forme,there'snothingasgreatascatchingthefootball.Ifeellikeeverytimetheballisthrownmyway,I’lldowhateverittakestocatchit,evenifIhavetotearitrightoutofadefensiveback'shands.
Harold Carmichael played 14 seasons in the National Football League. He was a seventh-round pick out of Southern University in the 1971 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles where he spent 13 seasons. His final season in the NFL was spent with the Dallas Cowboys.
During just his third season, Carmichael recorded a career-high and team record at time with 67 catches for 1,116 yards to lead NFL in receptions and receiving yardage in 1973. This included a personal best 12 catches for 187 yards against the St. Louis Cardinals on Oct. 14, 1973.
Carmichael was a key member of Eagles teams that earned four straight playoff appearances from 1978-1981. He scored a career-best 11 touchdown receptions during the 1979 season. Carmichael registered 40 or more catches in nine straight seasons, eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark three times and had 20 games with 100 or more receiving yards during his career. Carmichael led the Eagles in receptions and receiving yardage seven times and established a then-NFL record of 127 straight games with a reception from 1972-1980.
A true leader, Carmichael helped Philadelphia to a division title and the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance in 1980. At the time of his retirement, Carmichael was the Eagles’ all-time leader in games played, consecutive games played, touchdowns, receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions.
Carmichael’s career stats include 590 receptions for 8,985 yards and 79 TDs. He was named First-Team All-Pro in 1973, Second-Team All-Pro three times, received First-Team All-NFC three times and Second-Team All-NFC four times. Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of 1970s, Carmichael was showed as the NFL Man of the Year in 1980 and selected to four Pro Bowls.
