Pro Football Hall of Famer Raymond Berry dies at 93
· Yahoo Sports
June 1 (UPI) -- Raymond Berry, a Hall of Fame pass catcher for the Baltimore Colts for 13 years and who later coached the New England Patriots, has died, his family announced Monday.
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Berry died at his home while surrounded by family May 25 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He was 93. Berry's family, who said he "died peacefully," did not disclose his cause of death.
"People said Raymond Berry was not blessed with the size or speed of other receivers in the National Football League, but no one worked harder to refine his skills and master his craft," Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said.
"The chemistry he developed with quarterback Johnny Unitas through hours of route-running and thousands of repetitions in practice created a dynamic tandem that thought with one mind on game days.
"Together they helped the Colts win consecutive titles in the late 1950s, including the classic 1958 NFL Championship Game that served as a springboard for professional football becoming this country's most popular sport. On top of that, there was no finer gentleman -- a person who remained humble and grounded when others sought to thrust stardom upon him."
Berry, who was known for wearing special shoes because one leg was shorter than the other, joined the Colts in the 1954 NFL Draft. He went on to total 631 catches for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdown over 154 appearances.
Berry led the NFL in catches and yards three times. He led the league in receiving scores on two occasions. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, three-time first-team All-Pro and two-time champion.
"In NFL history, there are only a handful of players who we can say truly changed the sport. Raymond Berry is one of the few names on that list," Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said.
"As a player during a historic era of Colts football, Raymond redefined the standard for what a wide receiver could and should be. He set records, was selected to multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, and retired as the NFL's all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions.
"One of his most memorable moments came during the 1958 NFL Championship, when he had a career day on the field in the 'Greatest Game Ever Played.'"
Berry coached the Patriots and achieved a 48-39 record over six seasons. He led the Patriots to an AFC title in 1985-86 and was a two-time UPI Coach of the Year.
"Raymond Berry holds a special place in Patriots history," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. "He led our franchise to its first Super Bowl appearance following a remarkable playoff run, a milestone that was the greatest achievement in team history at the time.
"I was fortunate to get to know Raymond over the years, and one of my fondest memories was spending time with him and his son, Mark, during a trip to Israel in 2015 with several fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers.
"He was every bit the gentleman people knew him to be; humble, faithful, kind and deeply respected by all who knew him. The entire Patriots family joins me in mourning Raymond's passing and celebrating a life that left a lasting impact on our franchise and the National Football League. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Berry family and all who mourn his loss."
Berry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.
"Simply put, not only was Raymond Berry one of the greatest players in the history of the Colts, but he was one of the most influential and foundational players of the modern NFL," Irsay-Gordon said.
"More than anything, Raymond was devoted to his faith and his family. We're grateful his family was able to be with him at the end, and we hope they know Colts fans and all fans of the NFL share their sadness today."