Del Shofner: Difference between revisions

Shofner began his career in 1957 as a defensive back. He played in 12 games (starting 10) and intercepted two passes while recovering a fumble. He got his chance to play for the offense as a flankersplit end in the next season and he made it count. Playing in twelve games, he caught 51 passes for 1,097 yards for eight touchdowns. He led the league in yards and yards per game (91.4) while making his first [[Pro Bowl]] and being named 1st Team [[All-Pro]]. He continued further the next year, catching 47 passes for 936 yards (second most in the league) for seven touchdowns for another Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection. He had a down year in 1960 (having suffered a leg injury and ulcers), the fourth and final season spent with the Rams. He played in eleven games while catching 12 passes for 122 yards for a touchdown. He also spent his four years with the Rams as their [[punter (American football)|punter]], punting 153 total times for 6,420 yards (with two blocked).

LateOn inAugust the28, 1961 preseason, he was traded to the [[New York Giants]] for draft picks. He was acquired by owner [[Wellington Mara]] because of how much his new quarterback [[Y.A. Tittle]] (acquired inten mid-Augustdays earlier) raved about the receiver. The result proved positive for both New York and Shofner. He caught 69 passes for 1,125 yards (second most in the NFL) for 11 touchdowns while returning to Pro Bowl and All-Pro form. He was the first Giant to have a 1,000-yard season, and he would soon become the first to do so in consecutive seasons. Teammates (such as future Hall of Famer [[Sam Huff]]) soon called him "Slim" and "Blade"; in his subsequent memoir ''Tough Stuff'', Huff described Shofner as “Lean and mean out on that field, great speed and better moves, with legs strong enough to break tackles and leap into the air.”

The Giants, led by Tittle and coach [[Allie Sherman]], roared all the way to the [[1961 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship Game]]. However, facing the [[Green Bay Packers]] at [[Lambeau Field|New City Stadium]], the Giants were shut-out 37-0. Shofner caught three passes for 41 yards in the loss. <ref>https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112310gnb.htm</ref> He continued his consistency the next year, catching 53 passes for 1,133 yards for 12 touchdowns (second most in the league). Shofner holds the record for most receiving yards by a Giant in a game, having caught eleven passes for 269 yards on October 28, 1962 against the Washington Redskins (this was also the game where Tittle threw for seven touchdown passes, with Shofner catching one of them). <ref>https://www.giants.com/news/del-shofner-prolific-giants-receiver-dies-at-85</ref> The Giants made it back to the [[1962 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship Game]] again that year, this time playing the Packers in New York. Shofner caught five passes for 69 yards, but the Giants were trounced once again 16-7. <ref>https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196212300nyg.htm</ref> The next year was his last great one. He caught 64 passes for 1,181 yards (second most in the league) while having nine touchdowns while being named to his fifth and final Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection. Once again, the Giants rolled to the [[1963 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship Game]]. Playing the [[Chicago Bears]] at [[Wrigley Field]]. Shofner had no statline as the Giants lost 14-10. <ref>https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196312290chi.htm</ref>