Ships in the Edge

Tcu university

A True Raider: The Fred Biletnikoff Story

Fred Biletnikoff. Oakland Raiders. That name and that team are with each other forever.

A guy named joe

Frederick S. Biletnikoff was born on Feb. 23, 1943 in Erie, Penn. His parents were both Russian immigrants. In high school, Biletnikoff attended Technical Memorial High School and had a fantastic senior season. Because of that, he was offered a scholarship to Florida State for coach Bill Peterson. Peterson changed the play calling in Biletnikoff’s junior year, which gave the receiver more opportunities.

It showed. As a senior, he caught 57 passes, including 11 for touchdowns. Those numbers are impressive for college football today. But back then, it was sensational, considering college football was run-heavy. He earned a spot on the All-American College Football Team and caught four touchdowns in the Gator Bowl against a great Oklahoma Sooners team.

In 1965, he was drafted in the third round by the team he’d spend most of his life with, the Raiders. As a rookie in 1965, he had a very limited role, to say the least. He didn’t catch a touchdown pass and hauled in 24 passes for 331 yards. The Raiders were led by Tom Flores and finished 8-5-1, but had a star in the making they were leaving out.

The next year brought back memories of FSU, as he caught three of his 17 passes for touchdowns, average a touchdown every 5.6 catches, reminiscent to his touchdown every 5.2 catches as a senior for the Seminoles.

He hit his stride the next season, with 40 catches for 876 yards and five touchdowns, averaging a ridiculous 21.9 yards per catch. Over a fantastic 14-year career, Biletnikoff only hit the 1,000 yard mark one time. But he was consistent, sure-handed, and would always know how to get open, and once he got open, there was no stopping him.

From 1968 to 1972, he was fantastic. In 1968, he had 61 catches for 1037 yards and scored six touchdowns. 1969 was great, as he had 54 catches for 837 yards, 12 of those receptions for touchdowns.

He had 768 yards and seven touchdowns in 1970, 929 yards and nine touchdowns in 1971, and 802 yards and seven scores in 1972. Talk about consistency.

Biletnikoff is famous for many things. Before games, he would stick his finger down his throat to puke as a ritual, as well as Stick ‘Em to help make catches. Stick ‘Em must have helped, as Fred is also famous for making absolutely ridiculous acrobatic catches. He was such a good wide receiver through college and in the NFL, he has an award named after him for best college wide receiver every season: the Fred Biletnikoff Award.

The 1973 season was Fred’s last with over 600 yards, gaining 660. He got 593 in 1974, but never any more.

He retired from playing in the NFL in 1978, but it didn’t take him long to get a job—as a coach. In fact, it was in 1980 when he was coaching the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

Two years later, he was part of the Orange Glen High School staff and was bounced around for years. He was on the staff at many: Palomar College (1983), Diablo Valley College (1984), Oakland Invaders (1985), Arizona Wranglers (1986), and Calgary Stampeders (1987-1988)—until he finally stuck with one team.

The team he played for. The only team he played for. The Raiders. He coached the Raiders from 1989 to 2006 as a receivers coach and worked with greats such as Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, and Randy Moss.

I can’t speak on character because I don’t know Biletnikoff, but I’d rather have Biletnikoff on my team than the showboat, diva-like pass catchers of today such as Chad Johnson, Kellen Winslow, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, DeSean Jackson, Steve Smith, and many more.

How loyal. How admirable.

Related posts: The fox and the hound, Michigan results, Kit cope, The school of rock, Air powered car