Biletnikoff, Frederick
Football
b. Feb. 23, 1943, Erie, PA
Although he was an All-American end at Florida State in 1964, many professional scouts doubted that he would make it in the NFL because he lacked speed. But, like Raymond Berry, Biletnikoff parlayed hard work, precise pass routes, and great hands into a Hall of Fame career with the Oakland Raiders. Coach John Madden called him "one of the most dedicated athletes I have ever seen."
A part-time player in 1965 and 1966, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Biletnikoff became a starter in 1967, when he caught 40 passes. He caught 42 or more in each of the next 9 seasons, with career highs of 61 in 1968 and 1971, when he led the NFL.
In Super Bowl XI, Biletnikoff was named most valuable player after catching 4 passes for 79 yards, setting up 3 touchdowns, in Oakland's 32-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Biletnikoff retired after the 1978 season. He had 589 career receptions for 8,974 yards, a 15.2 average, and 76 touchdowns.
The high-strung Biletnikoff suffered from an ulcer through most of his professional career and threw up before every game because of his nerves. His trademark was large gobs of a gooey substance known as "stickum" which he smeared on his socks so he could apply some to his fingers before each play.