- Raymond Berry, the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts, passed away peacefully at his home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on 25 May at the age of 93, as announced by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Berry formed a formidable passing duo with quarterback Johnny Unitas, playing a pivotal role in the Colts' historic 1958 championship victory and another in 1959. Over 13 seasons, he amassed a then-record 631 receptions and 68 touchdowns, earning six Pro Bowl selections.
- Despite physical limitations, Berry was renowned for his relentless work ethic, meticulous preparation, and exceptional reliability, rarely dropping a pass and developing 88 distinct routes to get open. His uniform number 82 was retired by the Colts.
- His performance in the 1958 NFL Championship against the New York Giants, often called 'The Greatest Game Ever Played,' was legendary, with 12 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown, including crucial plays in the overtime win that helped popularise the NFL.
- After retiring as a player, Berry transitioned to coaching, notably leading the New England Patriots as head coach from 1984-89, guiding them to Super Bowl XX. He was also a strong advocate for drug testing in the NFL , influenced by a former teammate's struggles.
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Raymond Berry, Hall of Fame wide receiver and Patriots coach, dies at the age of 93
