College Football HoF, NFL

Jefferson, John ‘Space Age Receiver’

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021, C/o Home
SENT: 9/18 RECEIVED: 9/27 (9 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • John Jefferson played WR at Arizona State from 1974-’77.
  • In his Senior campaign he logged 53 receptions for 912 yards and 8 TDs.
  • Over 45 games, John caught 175 passes for 2824 yards and 19 TDs.
  • Selected in the first round (14th overall) by the San Diego Chargers in 1978.
  • A member of the famous Air Coryell Offense that included Kellen Winslow and Charlie Joiner.
  • In 1978 campaign tied NFL record for most receiving touchdowns for a rookie with 13- to lead the NFL.
  • Led the NFL in receptions (82) , yards (1,340) and TDs (13) in 1980.
  • Held out in a salary dispute in 1981 and was promptly traded to the Packers.
  • Caught 149 passes for 2253 yards and 11 TDs over 4 years in Green Bay.
  • Held out in 1985- and was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he played his final season, catching 3 passes for 30 yards in 2 starts.
  • Signed with the Houston Oilers for the 1986 season- but did not make the squad, retiring at the age of 29.
  • Went into coaching briefly and then was the Director of Player Development for the Washington Redskins from 2008-’09.

ACCOLADES:

  • College Football Hall of Fame 2002
  • Arizona State Hall of Fame 1979
  • All Pro 1979, ’80
  • Pro Bowl 1978-’80, ’82
  • All Rookie Team 1978
  • San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team

NOTES:

Well before Eric Dickerson and long before Rodrigo Blankenship, John Jefferson really popularized the goggle glasses. He’s got a great autograph, that matched his playing style and willingness to dive out for those acrobatic catches.

RECYDSAVGTDLG
351571416.34765t