Raymond Berry, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and a favorite target of Johnny Unitas, has died at 93. His family says he passed away peacefully at his Tennessee home on May 25, and his career spanned 13 standout NFL seasons and later coaching that included lea
Raymond Berry’s name was spoken in the same breath as precision passing and timing—especially during the era when Johnny Unitas looked his way over and over.
Berry, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and a star for the Baltimore Colts, has died at the age of 93. In a statement released by his family, it was said he passed away peacefully at his Tennessee home on May 25, surrounded by his loved ones.
For Colts fans, his legacy wasn’t just reputation—it was production. Berry, who played at SMU, was drafted in the 20th round of the 1954 NFL Draft. He went on to play 13 seasons in the league, catching 631 passes (a record at the time) for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns. He led the NFL in receptions on three occasions.
His resume also carried the kind of success that turns great stats into moments people remember. Berry earned six trips to the Pro Bowl and won two championships, including the famed 1958 game against the New York Giants.
That achievement lasted far beyond his playing days. Berry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973. He was also named to the All-1950’s team and was a member of the NFL’s All-Time 75th and 100th Anniversary squads.
After his playing career, Berry moved into coaching, beginning with the Dallas Cowboys in the late 60s as a wide receiver coach. From there, he hopped around the league until the New England Patriots hired him as head coach in 1984.
As head coach, Berry’s work translated quickly into wins. He led the 11-5 Patriots to a Super Bowl in 1985. That championship run ended with a 46-10 loss to the dominant Bears. Berry coached the Patriots for 6 seasons.
His story runs in two directions—receiver and coach—stitched together by the same trait that defined him when the game was on the line. Between his record-setting production as a Baltimore Colts star and his later run to the 1985 Super Bowl with the Patriots. Berry’s impact kept showing up in the biggest moments.
Now, the NFL has lost a legend. R.I.P.
Raymond Berry NFL Hall of Fame Baltimore Colts Johnny Unitas New England Patriots Super Bowl 1985 Pro Bowl Dallas Cowboys 1958 Giants