Raymond Berry, the Texas native and SMU great who developed into one of the most accomplished wide receivers in NFL history, has died. He was 93.
Berry died May 25 at his home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, surrounded by family, according to a statement released through the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Born in Corpus Christi and raised in Paris, Texas, Berry took an unlikely path to football greatness.
He did not become a starting wide receiver in high school until his senior year, even though his father coached the team. At SMU, Berry earned two letters as a two-way player and was voted a team co-captain in 1954. His college receiving numbers were modest, but the Baltimore Colts selected him in the 20th round of the 1954 NFL Draft.
Berry turned that opportunity into a Hall of Fame career through meticulous preparation, precise route running and a relentless work ethic.
He teamed with quarterback Johnny Unitas to form one of the most productive passing combinations of the era. Over 13 seasons with the Colts, Berry caught 631 passes for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.
One of Berry’s defining performances came in the 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants, an overtime classic often credited with helping fuel the NFL’s rise in popularity. Berry caught 12 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown as Baltimore won 23-17.
The Colts won back-to-back NFL championships in 1958 and 1959. Berry led the league in receptions three times and earned six Pro Bowl selections.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973, his first year of eligibility.
Berry also had a connection to the Dallas Cowboys. After retiring as a player, he began his coaching career on Tom Landry’s staff and spent two seasons working with the Cowboys’ receivers in the late 1960s.
He later returned to the NFL as head coach of the New England Patriots from 1984 through 1989. Berry led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance following the 1985 season.
SMU retired Berry’s number 87 in 2000. He was later inducted into the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its 2010 class.
Berry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sally, along with their children and grandchildren.
