Alvin Garrett

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Alvin Garrett

Date of birth:	October 1, 1956 (1956-10-01) (age 51)
Place of birth:	Mineral Wells, TX
Career information
Position(s):	Wide receiver
Jersey №:	89
College:	Angelo State
NFL Draft:	1979 / Round: 9 / Pick: 237
Organizations
As player:
1980-1981 1981-1984	New York Giants Washington Redskins
Stats at NFL.com

Alvin Lynn Garrett (born October 1, 1956 in Mineral Wells, Texas) is a former American football wide receiver who played five seasons for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins from 1980 to 1984. Before his NFL career, he played college football at Angelo State University.

Garrett is best known for replacing injured starter Art Monk in the 1982 NFL playoffs. Although he only caught one pass during the regular season, he caught 13 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns in Washington's three playoff games. Then in Washington's 27-17 win in Super Bowl XVII, he caught two passes for 13 yards and another touchdown. He also ripped off a 44-yard run on a reverse play during the third quarter, setting a field goal by kicker Mark Moseley. At the time, it was the longest run by a receiver in Super Bowl history.

Off the field, his major claim to fame is that during a 1983 Monday Night Football game, commentator Howard Cosell referred to Garrett as a "little monkey." Garrett being African-American, some viewed the comment as racist, although Cosell frequently used the phrase (Garrett himself was pleased to be singled out). The strain of the controversy aided in Cosell's resignation the following year.

His best season came in 1983 with the Redskins when he played in fifteen games, catching 25 receptions for 332 yards and one touchdown. He went on to catch a pass for 17 yards and gain 100 yards returning kickoffs in Super Bowl XVIII.

He finished his five season NFL career with 32 receptions for 412 yards and two touchdowns, 43 punt returns for 334 yards, and 50 kickoff returns for 1,013 yards in 55 games.