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Fred Biletnikoff | |
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Position: | Wide Receiver |
Height: | 6' 1" |
Weight: | 190 lbs. |
Birthdate: | February 23, 1943 |
Birthplace: | Erie, PA |
College: | Florida State |
Team/Year: | Oakland; 1965-1978 |
MVP: | Super Bowl XI |
Other: | Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. |
Fred Biletnikoff used deceptive speed and perhaps the best hands in football to catch 589 passes during his 14-year career. He dominates the Raiders' record book for pass receiving. His 70 receptions, 1,167 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in 19 postseason games all were NFL postseason career records at the time of his retirement. The native of Pennsylvania reached the zenith of a career filled with outstanding achievements when he caught 4 passes for 79 yards to set up 3 touchdowns in the Raiders' 32-14 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl XI. He was named the game's most valuable player. He was an All-AFL pick in 1969, then won All-AFC honors in 1970, 1972, and 1973. He played in two AFL All-Star games and four AFC-NFC Pro Bowl games as well as three AFL and five AFC championship games, plus Super Bowls II and XI. The talented pass-catcheer came to the Raiders as their second-round draft pick in 1965. A 1964 All-American at Florida State, Biletnikoff caught 4 touchdown passes in his team's Gator Bowl victory ove Oklahoma. Biletnikoff started his pro career as a special tams player and did not see action as a flanker until the seventh game of his rookie campaign. When he did get a chance to start, he responded with a 7-catch, 118-yard performance and, in the process, became a regular for good. |