Henry Ellard

By Brad Berreman
Love of Sports Correspondent

He had 814 career receptions, 13,777 receiving yards and 65 touchdowns.

What former NFL wide receiver put up these numbers?

Why Henry Ellard, of course.

Ellard was the 1983 second round pick of the Los Angeles Rams out of Fresno State University. He’d stay with the Rams through 1993 before moving on to the Redskins for five years (1994-98) and the Patriots (1998).

From 1988-91, Ellard had four straight 1,000-yard seasons, with his best one coming in 1988 when he went for 86 receptions, 1,414 yards and 10 touchdowns. He followed that up in ‘89 with 70 catches, 1,382 yards and eight touchdowns. Those two seasons, along with 1984, accounted for his three career Pro Bowl appearances.

He ranks seventh all time on the career receiving yards list and also ranks in the Top 40 (as of the end of the 2007 season) in receptions and touchdowns.

Ellard would have a solid first season with the Redskins in 1994, with 74 receptions, 1,397 yards and six touchdowns. He’d follow that up with two more 1,000-yard seasons in 1995 and 1996, giving him seven in his career.

His production would decline in his final two NFL seasons, and he finished the 1998 season with the Patriots before retiring.

After retirement, he’d move into high school coaching before moving to a coaching position at his alma mater, Fresno State. In 2001, he’d become the St. Louis Rams receivers coach, a position he still holds.

So, in honor of an underrated receiver forever overshadowed by the great Jerry Rice, here’s some Old School Love to Henry Ellard.