Chuck Hughes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chuck Hughes | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: | March 2, 1943 |
| Place of birth: | Philadelphia, PA, United States |
| Date of death: | October 24, 1971 (aged 28) |
| Career information | |
| Position(s): | Wide receiver |
| College: | Texas Western |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1967-1969 1970-1971 |
Philadelphia Eagles Detroit Lions |
| Stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Charles Frederick Hughes (March 2, 1943 - October 24, 1971) was an American football wide receiver in the National Football League from 1967 to 1971.
Contents |
[edit] College career
Hughes played college football at Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) where he is still listed in the all-time football records; his accomplishments include:
- The most all-purpose yards in a single game, 401 in 1965 against North Texas State University (he is also second with 360 the same year against Arizona State University
- The most yards per reception for a single game, 34.9, also in 1965 against North Texas -- this is also an NCAA record
- The most receptions in a single game, 17, also against Arizona State in 1965
- Second in all-purpose yards for a season, with 2044 in 1966
- First in all-purpose yards per game for a season, 204 in 1965
- Second in all-purpose yards per game for his career with 132
- Fifth in all-purpose yards all-time with 3,989
- Second in career receiving touchdowns with 19 and yardage with 2,882
[edit] Pro career
He was a fourth round draft choice for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967 and played three seasons there before joining the Detroit Lions for the 1970 season. Although listed as a wide receiver he saw most action on special teams, being a backup at wide receiver. In his 5 year pro career he caught only 15 passes.
[edit] Death
While playing for the Detroit Lions, he suffered a fatal heart attack during the final minutes of a game versus the Chicago Bears at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. He had run a pass route but was not part of the play, an incomplete pass intended for Lions tight end Charlie Sanders, and pitched forward onto the ground without contact. Initially some thought he was faking an injury to stop the clock, but Bears linebacker Dick Butkus frantically signalled for help on the field. It was obvious that he was seriously hurt, and the game was finished in near silence. His teammates were informed of his death before leaving the stadium. The Lions retired his number, 85, in his honor, and annually make an award to the most improved player in his name.
