View source for Raymond Berry

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1933)}}
{{About|the Hall of Fame Colts receiver and former Patriots head coach|the Vikings linebacker|Ray Berry|persons of a similar name|Raymond Barry (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}

{{good article}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name           = Raymond Berry
| image          = Berry 1961 Topps.jpg
| caption        = Berry on a 1961 trading card
| number         = 82
| position       = [[Wide receiver|Split end]]
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1933|2|27}}
| birth_place    = [[Corpus Christi, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date     = 
| death_place    = 
| height_ft      = 6
| height_in      = 2
| weight_lb      = 187
| high_school    = [[Paris High School (Paris, Texas)|Paris]] <br> (Paris, Texas)
| college        = [[Schreiner Mountaineers football|Shreiner]] (1950) <br> [[SMU Mustangs football|SMU]] (1951–1954)
| draftyear      = 1954
| draftround     = 20
| draftpick      = 232
| pastteams      = 
* [[Baltimore Colts]] ({{NFL Year|1955|1967}})
| pastcoaching   = 
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1968|1969}}) <br> Wide receivers coach
* [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]] (1970–1972) <br> Wide receivers coach
* [[Detroit Lions]] ({{NFL Year|1973|1975}}) <br> Wide receivers
* [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{NFL Year|1976|1977}}) <br> Wide receivers
* [[New England Patriots]] ({{NFL Year|1978|1981}}) <br> Wide receivers
* New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|1984|1989}}) <br> Head coach
* Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|1991}}) <br> Quarterbacks coach
* [[Denver Broncos]] ({{NFL Year|1992}}) <br> Quarterbacks coach
| highlights     = 
; As a player
* 2× [[List of NFL champions (1920–1969)|NFL champion]] ([[1958 NFL Championship Game|1958]], [[1959 NFL Championship Game|1959]])
* 3× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1958 All-Pro Team|1958]]–[[1960 All-Pro Team|1960]])
* 3× Second-team All-Pro ([[1957 All-Pro Team|1957]], [[1961 All-Pro Team|1961]], [[1965 All-Pro Team|1965]])
* 6× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1959 Pro Bowl|1958]]–[[1962 Pro Bowl|1961]], [[1964 Pro Bowl|1963]], [[1965 Pro Bowl|1964]])
* 3× [[List of NFL annual receiving yards leaders|NFL receiving yards leader]] (1957, 1959, 1960)
* 3× [[List of NFL annual receptions leaders|NFL receptions leader]] (1958–1960)
* 2× [[List of NFL annual receiving touchdowns leaders|NFL receiving touchdowns leader]] (1958, 1959)
* [[NFL 1950s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor]]
* [[Indianapolis Colts#Retired numbers|Indianapolis Colts No. 82]] retired
* Second-team All-[[Southwest Conference|SWC]] ([[1954 All-Southwest Conference football team|1954]])
* [[SMU Mustangs football#Honored jerseys|SMU Mustangs Jersey No. 87]] honored
; As a coach
* [[New England Patriots#1980s|New England Patriots All-1980s Team]]
| statlabel1     = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Reception]]s
| statvalue1     = 631
| statlabel2     = Receiving yards
| statvalue2     = 9,275
| statlabel3     = Receiving [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue3     = 68
| regular_record = {{Winning percentage|48|39|record=y}}
| playoff_record = {{Winning percentage|3|2|record=y}}
| overall_record = {{Winning percentage|51|41|record=y}}
| pfr            = B/BerrRa00
| pfrcoach       = BerrRa0
| HOF            = raymond-berry 
}}

'''Raymond Emmett Berry Jr.''' (born February 27, 1933) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player and coach in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played as a [[Wide receiver|split end]] for the [[Baltimore Colts]] from 1955 to 1967, and after several assistant coaching positions, was head coach of the [[New England Patriots]] from 1984 to 1989. With the Colts, Berry led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards three times and in receiving touchdowns twice, and was invited to six [[Pro Bowl]]s. The Colts won consecutive [[NFL championships]], including the [[1958 NFL Championship Game]]—known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played"—in which Berry caught 12 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. He retired as the all-time NFL leader in both receptions and receiving yardage.

After catching very few passes in high school and college, Berry was selected in the 20th round of the [[1954 NFL draft]] by the Colts and was considered a long shot to make the team's roster. Diminutive and unassuming, his subsequent rise to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] has been touted as one of football's [[Cinderella (sports)|cinderella]] stories. He made up for his lack of athleticism through rigorous practice and attention to detail, and was known for his near-perfect [[Route (gridiron football)|route]] running and sure-handedness. Berry was a favorite target of quarterback [[Johnny Unitas]], and the two were regarded as the dominant passing and receiving duo of their era.

After his playing career, Berry coached wide receivers for the [[Dallas Cowboys]], the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas Razorbacks]], the [[Detroit Lions]], the [[Cleveland Browns]] and the Patriots. He became the Patriots head coach in 1984 and held that position through 1989, amassing 48 wins and 39 losses. Berry led the Patriots to [[Super Bowl XX]] following the [[1985 New England Patriots season|1985 season]], where his team was defeated by the [[1985 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]], 46–10. In recognition of his playing career, Berry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973. He is a member of the [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]] as one of the best players of the NFL's first 75 years and a unanimous selection to the [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]] as one of the best players of the NFL's first 100 years. His number 82 is [[Retired number|retired]] by the [[Indianapolis Colts]] and he is a member of the Patriots 1980s All-Decade Team. As of 2024, Berry is currently the oldest living former player inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]].

==Early life and college==
Raymond Emmett Berry Jr. was born in [[Corpus Christi, Texas]], on February 27, 1933, and spent the majority of his childhood in Paris, Texas.{{sfn|Berry|2016|p=1}} At [[Paris High School (Paris, Texas)|Paris High School]] and in college, Berry caught very few passes. He did not start on his high school team until he was a senior, even though his father, Berry Sr., was the coach.<ref name=HOF/> After high school Berry played one year of [[junior college]] football at Shreiner Institute (now [[Schreiner University]]) in [[Kerrville, Texas]], during the 1950 campaign.<ref name=Newell>{{cite news|last1=Newell|first1=Cliff|title=Raymond Berry: Underestimated Champion : Skinny Little Receiver Looked More Like a Candidate for the Hospital Than a Football Immortal at Schreiner|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-02-10-sp-3763-story.html|access-date=January 10, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 10, 1985}}</ref> He helped the Mountaineers finish its most successful season in 10 years with a record of 7–3.<ref>{{cite web|title=Past Athletic Hall of Honor|url=http://www.schreiner.edu/alumni/awards/past-athletics-hall-of-honor.aspx/|publisher=Schreiner University|access-date=January 10, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006212318/http://www.schreiner.edu/alumni/awards/past-athletics-hall-of-honor.aspx/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He then transferred to [[Southern Methodist University]] (SMU). In three seasons for the [[SMU Mustangs football]] team, Berry received only 33 passes total. Sportswriters attributed his lack of receptions to his poor eyesight, but during the early 1950s, colleges specialized in the running game. As Berry said, "I didn't catch many passes because not many were thrown".{{sfn|Wills|2004|p=348}} He also played [[outside linebacker]] and [[defensive end]] for the Mustangs, despite weighing only {{convert|180|lb|kg}} even by his senior year.{{sfn|Olesker|2008|p=105}}

==Professional playing career==
[[File:Ray Berry 1960.jpg|thumb|left|Berry in 1960]]

Berry was drafted by the [[Baltimore Colts]] in the 20th round as the 203rd overall pick of the [[1954 NFL draft]].  Considered  a long-shot to make the team roster,<ref name=HOF/> he was used sparingly as a rookie, catching only 13 passes. By his second NFL season he became a permanent [[Starting lineup|starter]] when the Colts acquired quarterback [[Johnny Unitas]]. Over the next 12 seasons together the two became one of the most dominant passing and catching duos in NFL history.<ref name=HOF>{{cite web|title=Raymond Berry Bio|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/players/raymond-berry/biography/|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|access-date=January 11, 2017}}</ref>{{sfn|Wills|2004|p=359}}<ref name=Newell/> Berry, who did not miss a single game until his eighth year in the league, led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards three times and in receiving touchdowns twice.<ref name=PFR/>

In 1957, Berry caught 47 passes for 800 yards and six touchdowns, leading the NFL in receiving yards for the first time. Against the [[1957 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] that year in near-freezing weather, Unitas connected with Berry on 12 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns, staging what the ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'' called a "spectacular show".<ref>{{cite news|title=Unitas' Score Wins for Colts Over 'Skins in Last Minute, 21–17|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=snxIAAAAIBAJ&pg=5056%2C1590648|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|agency=Associated Press|date=November 11, 1957|page=27}}</ref> He was recognized as a first-team [[All-Pro]] by ''[[The Sporting News]]'' and earned second-team honors from the [[Associated Press]] (AP).<ref name=PFR/> The following season, he recorded 794 receiving yards and led the league with 56 receptions and nine touchdowns. For his efforts, Berry was invited to his first [[Pro Bowl]], and was a first-team All-Pro by the AP and several other major selectors.<ref>{{cite web|title=1958 NFL All-Pros|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1958/allpro.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 16, 2017}}</ref> The Colts finished atop the [[Eastern and Western Conferences (NFL) 1933–69|Western Division]] with a record of 9–3 and faced the [[1958 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in the [[NFL Championship Game]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Flashy Colts Seek First NFL Crown|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14219834/flashy_colts_seek_first_nfl_crown/|access-date=October 6, 2017|work=The Eugene Guard|agency=Associated Press|date=December 28, 1958|page=24|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

One of Berry's most notable performances was in that [[1958 NFL Championship Game]], known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played", in which he led the Colts to the franchise's first title with a then championship record 12 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 23–17 victory over the Giants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Baltimore Colts at New York Giants – December 28th, 1958|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195812280nyg.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 16, 2017}}</ref><ref name=HOF/> At the end of regulation, he caught three consecutive passes for 62 yards to set up the Colts' tying field goal. He also had two key receptions for 33 yards during the Colts' final game-winning drive in overtime.<ref name=Gregory/>{{sfn|Olesker|2008|p=105}}  His 12 receptions would remain an NFL championship game record for more than half a century, topped by one by [[Demaryius Thomas]] in [[Super Bowl XLVIII]] after the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2014/02/02/broncos-demaryius-thomas-sets-super-bowl-receptions-record-in-losing-effort/|title=Broncos Demaryius Thomas Sets Super Bowl Receptions Record In Losing Effort|date=February 2, 2014|website=cbslocal.com}}</ref>

Berry led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in 1959, becoming the fourth player to record a "triple crown" in receiving.<ref>{{cite news|title=Triple crown for receivers|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/12/18/triple-crown-for-receivers/|access-date=January 16, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=December 18, 2003}}</ref> His 14 receiving touchdowns set a Colts single-season franchise record that stood unmatched for over four decades.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Porter|first1=David L.|title=Latino and African American Athletes Today: A Biographical Dictionary|date=2004|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=0313320489|page=156|edition=illustrated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0LSZX4z6WZAC&pg=PA156}}</ref> He was invited to his second straight Pro Bowl, and earned first-team All-Pro honors from the AP,<ref>{{cite news|title=Brown Tops All-Pro Squad|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19591223&id=uRlXAAAAIBAJ&pg=2364,3352424|access-date=January 29, 2017|work=Lakeland Ledger|agency=Associated Press|date=December 23, 1959|page=10}}</ref> UPI,<ref>{{cite news|title=Berry, Brown, Huff Lead All-Pro Team|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8628834/berry_brown_huff_lead_allpro_team/|access-date=January 29, 2017|work=The Town Talk|agency=United Press International|date=December 23, 1959|page=11|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> the [[Newspaper Enterprise Association]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Olderman|first1=Murray|title=Colts, Giants Dominate Players' All-Pro Teams|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8628740/colts_giants_dominate_players_allpro/|access-date=January 29, 2017|work=Redlands Daily Facts|agency=Newspaper Enterprise Association|date=December 17, 1959|page=8|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and the ''[[New York Daily News]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=1959 NFL All-Pros|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1959/allpro.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 16, 2017}}</ref> The Colts won back-to-back championships in an encore with the [[1959 New York Giants season|Giants]], 31–16. In that game, Berry caught five passes for 68 yards, second on the team behind halfback [[Lenny Moore]]'s 126 yards on three receptions.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Giants at Baltimore Colts – December 27th, 1959|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195912270clt.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sell|first1=Jack|title=Colts Destroy Giants for Pro Crown, 31–16|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A39IAAAAIBAJ&pg=7340%2C4704915|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=December 28, 1959|page=20}}</ref>

In 1960, Berry recorded his only 1,000-yard season, catching 74 passes en route to career highs in receiving yards (1,298) and receiving yards per game (108.2). Each of those totals led the NFL that year by a wide margin; no other player had more than 1,000 yards, and the next highest yards-per-game average was 81.0.<ref>{{cite web|title=1960 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1960/leaders.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> He had a mid-season string of six straight games with over 100 yards, during which he caught 50 passes for 920 yards and eight touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web|title=Raymond Berry 1960 Game Log|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BerrRa00/gamelog/1960/#118-123-sum:stats|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> Berry again was a Pro Bowl invitee, and earned first-team All-Pro honors from all the same selectors as the previous year,<ref>{{cite web|title=1960 NFL All-Pros|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1960/allpro.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 17, 2017}}</ref> including unanimous All-Pro recognition by UPI sportswriters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ray Berry Only Unanimous Choice on All-Pro Team|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8628366/ray_berry_only_unanimous_choice_on/|access-date=January 29, 2017|work=Traverse City Record-Eagle|agency=United Press International|date=December 21, 1960|page=17}}</ref>

Following this zenith, Berry did not have the same statistical success over his final seven seasons, but remained a consistent target for Unitas. His 75 receptions in the 1961 season was second-most in the league, and he finished 10th in receiving yards, but failed to record a touchdown for the first time since his rookie year.<ref name=PFR/> He scored the first touchdown of the [[1962 Pro Bowl]] on a 16-yard reception from Unitas in the first quarter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Unitas' Last-Second Pass Nips East, 31–20|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8ygNAAAAIBAJ&pg=7284%2C2149325|access-date=January 18, 2017|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|agency=Associated Press|date=January 15, 1962|page=23}}</ref> His streak of Pro Bowl invitations ended at four, but he rebounded to appearances in 1963 and 1964, the latter his final.<ref name=PFR/> The Colts returned to the postseason in 1964, where they were shut out 27–0 by the [[1964 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] in the [[1964 NFL Championship Game|1964 championship game]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cleveland Wallops Baltimore, 27–0|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XLZQAAAAIBAJ&pg=5652%2C5993581|access-date=January 18, 2017|work=Eugene Register-Guard|agency=Associated Press|date=November 28, 1964|page=1D}}</ref>

After consecutive seasons recording 700+ receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 1965 and 1966, Berry missed half of the 1967 season due to injuries and caught only 11 passes for 167 yards. He announced his retirement shortly after the season's end.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Snyder|first1=Cameron C.|title=Retirement Is 'Certain,' Berry Says|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8640389/the_baltimore_sun/|access-date=January 29, 2017|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=January 7, 1968|page=35}}</ref> He completed his professional playing career having caught 631 passes for 9,275 yards (14.7 yards per catch) and 68 touchdowns.<ref name=PFR>{{cite web|title=Raymond Berry Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BerrRa00.htm |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |access-date=January 10, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113214246/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BerrRa00.htm |archive-date=November 13, 2016 }}</ref> At the time, he held the NFL career records for receptions and receiving yards,<ref>{{cite web|title=NFL Career Receptions Leaders Through 1967|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_career_1967.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NFL Career Receiving Yards Leaders Through 1967|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_career_1967.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 19, 2017}}</ref> and his receiving touchdowns were tied for fourth most with [[Don Maynard]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NFL Career Receiving Touchdowns Leaders Through 1967|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_td_career_1967.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 19, 2017}}</ref>

In addition to being an excellent receiver, teammate [[Jim Mutscheller]] observed Berry was also an excellent blocker. In a 1958 victory over the [[1958 Chicago Bears|Chicago Bears]], coach Ewbank made Berry a tight end on the left side of the line, who had the assignment to assist in blocking against Bears future Hall of Fame defensive end [[Doug Atkins]]. Atkins was six inches taller, and 70 to 100 pounds heavier than Berry. Berry studied film all week prior to the game, and came up with a strategy that allowed him to block against Atkins effectively during the game.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Ron |date=July 30, 1983 |title=Ex-Colt recalls a simpler time |work=The York Dispatch (York, Pennsylvania) |pages=14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doug Atkins Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AtkiDo00.htm |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doug Atkins {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/doug-atkins |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=pfhof |language=en}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#ffe6bd; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[History of the National Football League championship|NFL championship]]
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| style="width:3em;"| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="5"| Receiving
! rowspan="2"| {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}}
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/R|Yards per reception}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} !! {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}}
|-
! 1955 !! [[1955 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 7 || 13 || 205 || 15.8 || 45 || 0 || 0
|-
! 1956 !! [[1956 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 9 || 37 || 601 || 16.2 || 54 || 2 || '''1'''
|-
! 1957 !! [[1957 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 12 || 47 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 800 || 17.0 || 67 || 6 || 0
|-
! 1958 !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1958 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 12 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 56 || 794 || 14.2 || 54 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 9 || 0
|-
! 1959 !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1959 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 12 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 66 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 959 || 14.5 || 55 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''14''' || 0
|-
! 1960 !! [[1960 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 12 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 74 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''1,298''' || '''17.5''' || '''70''' || 10 || 0
|-
! 1961 !! [[1961 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 10 || '''75''' || 873 || 11.6 || 44 || 0 || 0
|-
! 1962 !! [[1962 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| '''14''' || 12 || 51 || 687 || 13.5 || 37 || 3 || '''1'''
|-
! 1963 !! [[1963 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 9 || 9 || 44 || 703 || 16.0 || 64 || 3 || 0
|-
! 1964 !! [[1964 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 12 || 12 || 43 || 663 || 15.4 || 46 || 6 || 0
|-
! 1965 !! [[1965 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| '''14''' || '''14''' || 58 || 739 || 12.7 || 40 || 7 || 0
|-
! 1966 !! [[1966 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| '''14''' || '''14''' || 56 || 786 || 14.0 || 40 || 7 || 0
|-
! 1967 !! [[1967 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 7 || 5 || 11 || 167 || 15.2 || 40 || 1 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BerrRa00.htm Career] !! 154 !! 140 !! 631 !! 9,275 !! 14.7 !! 70 !! 68 !! 2
|}

===Postseason===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="5"| Receiving
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !! {{abbr|Y/R|Yards per reception}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}} !! {{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}}
|-
! 1958 !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1958 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 1 || 1 || '''12''' || '''178''' || '''14.8''' || 25 || '''1'''
|-
! [[1959 NFL Championship Game|1959]] !! style="background:#ffe6bd;"|[[1959 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 1 || 1 || 5 || 68 || 13.6 || '''28''' || 0
|-
! [[1964 NFL season#Postseason|1964]] !! [[1964 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 1 || 1 || 3 || 38 || 12.7 || 23 || 0
|-
! 1965 !! [[1965 Baltimore Colts season|BAL]]
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BerrRa00/gamelog/post/ Career] !! 4 !! 4 !! 20 !! 284 !! 14.2 !! 28 !! 1
|}

==Coaching career==
After retiring from playing, Berry joined [[Tom Landry]]'s Dallas Cowboys coaching staff as receivers coach.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Couch|first1=Dick|title=Dallas Top Grid Choice|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1982&dat=19680905&id=cWJGAAAAIBAJ&pg=888,580932|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=The Evening News|agency=Associated Press|date=September 5, 1968|page=6B}}</ref> In 1970, after two seasons, Berry took a job with [[Frank Broyles]] at the [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|University of Arkansas]] as receivers coach. In 1973 Berry joined [[Don McCafferty]] with the Detroit Lions as his receivers coach. In 1976, Berry joined former SMU teammate [[Forrest Gregg]] as his receivers coach with the [[Cleveland Browns]]. Berry joined the [[New England Patriots]] as receivers coach under [[Chuck Fairbanks]] in 1978. He stayed on with new coach [[Ron Erhardt]] until Erhardt and his entire staff were fired following a 2–14 1981 season. Berry left football and worked in real estate in [[Medfield, Massachusetts]], until the Patriots fired [[Ron Meyer]] in the middle of the 1984 season and hired Berry to replace him. Under his leadership, the Patriots won four of their last eight games and finished the season with a 9–7 record.<ref name=Donaldson/> Berry's importance to the team was reflected less in his initial win–loss record than in the respect he immediately earned in the locker room – according to running back [[Tony Collins (American football)|Tony Collins]], "Raymond Berry earned more respect in one day than Ron Meyer earned in three years".{{sfn|Felger|2006|p=76}}

In the [[1985 New England Patriots season|1985 season]], the team improved further, posting an 11–5 record and making the playoffs as a wild card team. They went on to become the first team in NFL history to advance to the Super Bowl by winning three playoff games on the road, defeating the [[1985 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] 26–14 (the second postseason win in franchise history), the [[1985 Los Angeles Raiders season|Los Angeles Raiders]] 27–20, and the [[1985 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] 31–14.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rattey|first1=Chris|title=Squish the Fish: 1985 Patriots run one of the greatest in NFL history|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2015/10/28/squish-the-fish-1985-patriots-run-one-of-the-greatest-in-nfl-history|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=The Boston Globe|date=October 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Goldberg|first1=Jeff|title=Ah Yes, The '85 Pats: They Were Never Dull|url=https://www.courant.com/1997/01/24/ah-yes-the-85-pats-they-were-never-dull/|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=Hartford Courant|date=January 24, 1997}}</ref> It was the first time the Patriots had beaten the Dolphins at the [[Miami Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]] (Miami's then-home stadium) since [[1966 New England Patriots season|1966]], Miami's first season as a franchise. The Patriots had lost to the Dolphins there 18 consecutive times, including a 30–27 loss in week 15 of the regular season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Patriots break jinx vs. Miami|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ncA8AAAAIBAJ&pg=1568%2C3404280|access-date=January 17, 2017|work=Bangor Daily News|agency=Associated Press|date=January 13, 1986|page=8}}</ref> Despite their success in the playoffs, the Patriots were heavy underdogs to the [[85 Bears|Chicago Bears]] in [[Super Bowl XX]].<ref name=Murray>{{cite news|last1=Murray|first1=Jim|title=It's Not Berry's Part, but He's Got His Act Down Pat|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-23-sp-28009-story.html|access-date=January 19, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 23, 1986}}</ref> They lost 46–10 in what was at the time the most lopsided defeat in Super Bowl history. "We couldn't protect the quarterback, and that was my fault. I couldn't come up with a system to handle the Bears' pass rush", Berry acknowledged.{{sfn|Felger|2006|p=80}}

The following season, Berry's Patriots again recorded an 11–5 record and made the playoffs, this time after winning their second division title as an NFL team. However, they lost in the first round of the postseason. It would be Berry's last postseason appearance in New England, and the Patriots' last playoff berth altogether until 1994. They narrowly missed the playoffs with an 8–7 record in 1987 (a strike-shortened season) and a 9–7 record in 1988, in which quarterback [[Doug Flutie]] went 6–3 as a starter. However, Berry benched Flutie in the season finale against the [[1988 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] until the final seconds. The Patriots lost 21–10 and Flutie left for the [[CFL]] less than two years later. Then in Berry's last year as a coach, the Patriots finished the 1989 season 5–11. New Patriots majority owner [[Victor Kiam]] demanded Berry relinquish control over personnel and reorganize his staff; Berry refused and was fired.<ref>{{cite news|title=Patriots Fire Berry; Rust in Line for Job|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-27-sp-1552-story.html|access-date=January 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Associated Press|date=February 27, 1990}}</ref> His regular-season coaching record was 48–39 ({{winning percentage|48|39}}) and he was 3–2 ({{winning percentage|3|2}}) in the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Raymond Berry Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BerrRa0.htm|website=[[Pro Football Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=October 6, 2017}}</ref>

After a year out of coaching, Berry joined [[Wayne Fontes]]' staff with the [[Detroit Lions]] in 1991 as their quarterbacks coach, and then held the same position the following season on [[Dan Reeves]]' staff with the [[Denver Broncos]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Berry named QB coach of the Broncos|url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/02/12/Berry-named-QB-coach-of-the-Broncos/4834697870800/|access-date=January 28, 2017|work=United Press International|date=February 12, 1992}}</ref> Reeves was fired after that season, along with his entire coaching staff.<ref>{{cite news|title=Denver Broncos fire Dan Reeves|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19921229&id=s5YtAAAAIBAJ&pg=6865,10311359|access-date=January 28, 2017|work=The Tuscaloosa News|agency=Associated Press|date=December 29, 1992|page=3B}}</ref>

==Coaching record==
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won !!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!!Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Result
|-
![[1984 New England Patriots season|NE]]||1984
|4||4||0||.500||2nd in AFC East|| – || – ||  ||
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1985 New England Patriots season|NE]]||1985
|11||5||0||.688||'''3rd in AFC East'''|| 3 || 1 || .750  || <small> '''Lost to [[Chicago Bears]] in [[Super Bowl XX]]'''</small>
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[1986 New England Patriots season|NE]]||1986
|11||5||0||.688||'''1st in AFC East'''|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <small> '''Lost to [[Denver Broncos]] in [[1986–87 NFL playoffs#Divisional playoffs|AFC Divisional Game]]'''</small>
|-
![[1987 New England Patriots season|NE]]||1987
|8||7||0||.533||2nd in AFC East|| – || – ||  ||
|-
![[1988 New England Patriots season|NE]]||1988
|9||7||0||.563||3rd in AFC East|| – || – ||  ||
|-
![[1989 New England Patriots season|NE]]||1989
|5||11||0||.313||4th in AFC East|| – || – ||  ||
|-
! colspan="2"|Total||48||39||0||.552|| ||3 || 2 || .600 ||
|}

==Profile==
Berry overcame several physical ailments during his football career, a fact he became famous for,{{sfn|Wills|2004|p=348}}<ref name=Newell/><ref name=Donaldson>{{cite news|last1=Donaldson|first1=Jim|title=Berry Again Overcomes The Skeptics|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/12/20/berry-again-overcomes-the-skeptics/|access-date=January 14, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=December 20, 1985}}</ref> but one that according to Berry was often exaggerated by the media.{{sfn|Berry|2016|p=13}} He was skinny and injury-prone, such that when his college teammates saw him for the first time they sarcastically dubbed him, "[[Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy]]".<ref name=Newell/> Reportedly, because one leg was shorter than the other, Berry had to wear padding inside his shoe to walk properly.<ref name=Newell/><ref name=HOF/> However, according to Berry, this was not entirely true. In actuality, bruised nerves near the [[sacroiliac joint]] occasionally caused misalignment in his back, which in turn affected his legs and caused one to become slightly shorter; it was not a permanent condition.{{sfn|Berry|2016|p=12}}{{sfn|Wills|2004|p=348}} To alleviate this, he wore a back brace for 13 years in the NFL. That he required specialized shoes was a myth, which Berry says was perpetuated by an overzealous information director with the Colts when Berry tried to compensate for his condition by putting something in his shoe during [[Training camp (National Football League)|training camp]].{{sfn|Berry|2016|p=13}}

Due to his poor eyesight, Berry wore contact lenses when he played.<ref name=Gregory>{{cite magazine|last1=Gregory|first1=Sean|title=Legends of the NFL's "Greatest Game Ever"|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1868793_1868792_1868790,00.html|access-date=January 14, 2017|magazine=Time|date=December 29, 2008}}</ref> Because the lenses would often slip when he did rapid eye movements toward the ball, he tried many different lenses, which led sportswriters to believe he must have had major eye problems. "I tried all kinds of lenses till we got what we wanted," he said. "I even had tinted lenses for sunny days, so I could watch the ball come right across the sun."{{sfn|Wills|2004|p=348}}

Berry was famous for his attention to detail and preparation, which he used to overcome his physical limitations. Considered slow for a wide receiver, he ran the [[40-yard dash]] in 4.8 seconds.{{sfn|Wills|2004|p=348}} Rather than speed, he was renowned for his precise [[Route (gridiron football)|pass patterns]] and sure hands; he rarely dropped passes, and he fumbled only once in his career.<ref name=Roberts>{{cite news|last1=Roberts|first1=Rich|title=The Meticulous Motivator Raymond Berry: Locked Into His Own Private World, He's Still Been Able to Leave It Long Enough to Reach the Hall of Fame and Super Bowl|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-20-sp-31021-story.html|access-date=January 11, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 20, 1986}}</ref><ref name=Klingaman>{{cite news|last1=Klingaman|first1=Mike|title=Former Colts great Raymond Berry has ties to Baltimore and New England|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/01/21/former-colts-great-raymond-berry-has-ties-to-baltimore-and-new-england/|access-date=January 20, 2017|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=January 21, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202023824/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-01-21/sports/bs-sp-berry-20120120_1_baltimore-colts-record-12-passes-super-bowl-xlvi|archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> He would squeeze [[Silly Putty]] constantly to strengthen his hands.<ref name=Roberts/> He and Unitas regularly worked after practice and developed the timing and knowledge of each other's abilities that made each more effective. The reason for this, according to Berry, was that the two did not think on the same wavelength. "Every season we had to start all over on our timing, especially the long ball," said Berry. "He knew he had to release the ball when I was eighteen yards from scrimmage for me to receive it thirty-eight yards out. I knew I had to make my break in those first eighteen yards and get free within 2.8 seconds."{{sfn|Wills|2004|p=359}} He also relied on shifty moves, and by his count, he had 88 different moves to get open,<ref name=HOF/> all of which he practiced every week.<ref name=Roberts/>

Even in his adult years, Berry was soft-spoken and reserved. He preferred not to draw attention to himself, and was described by sportswriter [[Jim Murray (sportswriter)|Jim Murray]] as "polite as a deacon, as quiet as a monk."<ref name=Murray/> Both as a player and as a coach, he was studious, serious, and orderly; "He was too straight and narrow—but a great guy, a hell of a guy," former Colts teammate [[Art Donovan]] said of Berry. "He was a little peculiar, to say the least."<ref name=Roberts/>

==Honors==
In 1973, Berry was voted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in [[Canton, Ohio]]. He is a member of the [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]], selected in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL 100 |url=https://www.nfl.com/100/all-time-team/roster |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and of the [[NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team]], compiled in 1994 by the Hall of Fame selection committee and media to honor the NFL's best players of the league's first 75 years,<ref>{{cite news|title=Very Best of the NFL|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=August 24, 1994|page=1D|access-date=November 10, 2016|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6818249/the_very_best_of_the_nfl/|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> and the [[National Football League 1950s All-Decade Team|1950s All-Decade Team]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Graham, Huff on All-1950s Pro Football Selections|newspaper=Racine Sunday Bulletin|agency=Associated Press|date=August 31, 1969|access-date=January 28, 2017|page=6C|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4582506/graham_huff_on_all1950s_pro_football/|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1999, he was ranked 40th on ''[[The Sporting News]]''' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sporting News Top 100 Football Players|newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle|date=August 15, 1999|page=3D|access-date=November 10, 2016|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4376402/sporting_news_top_100_football_players/|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 2021, ''[[The Athletic]]'' selected him as the 63rd greatest player ever.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff |first=The Athletic NFL |title=The NFL 100: From Derrick Brooks to Tom Brady, The Athletic finds the best players in football history |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2685622/2021/09/08/the-nfl-100-from-derrick-brooks-to-tom-brady-the-athletic-finds-the-best-players-in-football-history/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Berry's number 82 jersey is retired by the Colts,<ref>{{cite web|title=NFL Retired Player Numbers|url=http://www.nfl.com/history/retirednumbers|website=NFL.com|publisher=National Football League|access-date=January 28, 2017}}</ref> he is a member of the Patriots' 1980s All-Decade Team as a coach,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Price|first1=Christopher|title=New England Patriots New & Updated Edition: The Complete Illustrated History|date=2013|publisher=MVP Books|isbn=978-0760345139|page=198|edition=illustrated, revised|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KuhYLVCE3N0C&pg=PA198}}</ref> and he is enshrined in the [[Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hensley|first1=Jamison|title=Ravens to honor Unitas, ex-Colts|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-mackey100502-story.html|access-date=January 28, 2017|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=October 5, 2002}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Berry is a professed [[born again]] Christian and a member of the [[Fellowship of Christian Athletes]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Hall induction was full of stars|url=http://www.gadsdentimes.com/opinion/20100523/hall-induction-was-full-of-stars|access-date=January 20, 2017|work=The Gadsden Times|date=May 23, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Sam|title=Pats Ripen Under Berry|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/01/16/pats-ripen-under-berry/|access-date=January 20, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=January 16, 1986}}</ref> He considers his faith to be a "huge part" of his life.{{sfn|Berry|2016|p=1}} As of 2009, he lives with his wife in [[Tennessee]].<ref>Klingaman, Mike (December 15, 2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110710030647/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/thetoydepartment/2009/12/catching_up_with_former_colt_r_3.html "Catching Up With...former Colt Raymond Berry"]. The Toy Department (''The Baltimore Sun'' sports blog). Retrieved January 10, 2017.</ref> On February 5, 2012, at [[Super Bowl XLVI]], Berry carried the [[Vince Lombardi Trophy]] to midfield to present it to the [[2011 New York Giants season|New York Giants]], who had just defeated the [[2011 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Klingaman |first1=Mike |title=Raymond Berry's 'Super' Walk |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/02/06/raymond-berrys-super-walk/ |access-date=January 20, 2017 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 6, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202023820/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-02-06/sports/bs-sp-berry-super-bowl-20120206_1_new-york-giants-super-bowl-sunday-raymond-berry |archive-date=February 2, 2017 }}</ref> He was given the honor due to the game being played at [[Lucas Oil Stadium]], the home stadium of his former team, the Colts, who had [[Baltimore Colts relocation to Indianapolis|moved to Indianapolis]] in 1984.<ref name=Klingaman/>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last1=Berry|first1=Raymond|last2=Stewart|first2=Wayne|title=All the Moves I Had: A Football Life|date=2016|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1493017812|ref={{sfnRef|Berry|2016}} }}
* {{cite book|last1=Felger|first1=Michael|author-link1=Michael Felger|title=Tales from the Patriots Sideline|date=2006|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|isbn=1596701544|edition=illustrated, reprint}}
* {{cite book|last1=Olesker|first1=Michael|author-link1=Michael Olesker|title=The Colts' Baltimore: A City and Its Love Affair in the 1950s|date=October 13, 2008|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-0801890628|edition=illustrated|chapter=5: Father Raymond Berry|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780801890628}}
* {{cite book|last1=Wills|first1=Garry|author-link1=Garry Wills|title=Lead Time: A Journalist's Education|date=2004|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|isbn=0618446907|edition=illustrated, reprint|chapter=37: Raymond Berry}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=raymond-berry |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=B/BerrRa00 |rotoworld=}}
* {{Profootballhof|25}}

{{navboxes
|title=Raymond Berry—awards, championships, and honors
|list1=
{{Baltimore Colts 1954 draft navbox}}
{{1958 Baltimore Colts}}
{{1959 Baltimore Colts}}
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{{NFL receiving touchdown leaders}}
{{ColtsRetired#s}}
{{Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor}}
{{NFL1950s}}
{{New England Patriots coach navbox}}
{{Patriots1980s}}
{{NFL75}}
{{NFL100}}
{{1973 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Berry, Raymond}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
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[[Category:American football wide receivers]]
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