One of the greatest receivers of the pre-modern era around the NFL world, Don Maynard was a legend during his time with the New York Jets.
The Texas native helped Joe Namath and Co. pull off the legendary upset over the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl III. He’s football royalty.
Sadly, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Monday that Maynard has passed away at the age of 86.
“The professional football world today is celebrating the life of Don Maynard, a record-setting wide receiver who played in several of the sport’s most memorable games,” the Hall announced. “A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 1987, Maynard died Monday. He was 86.”
A ninth-round pick of the New York Giants back in 1957, Maynard played one season for the team before taking his talents to the Canadian Football League before returning to the stats to play for the then-New York Titans (precursor to the Jets).
A star at Rice and Texas Western College, he would ultimately turn into one of the greatest receivers that came down the pike during a brilliant 13-year career with the Titans/Jets.
NFL loses royalty in passing of Don Maynard
Maynard is known mostly for helping the Jets pull off that aforementioned upset over the Colts in Super Bowl III. As a member of the old AFL, most didn’t think New York stood a chance against the top dogs in the NFL. They proved everyone wrong under the leadership of head coach Weeb Ewbank.
That very same season saw Maynard record 1,297 receiving yards while leading the league in yards per catch (22.8) and yards per game (99.8). It was just the continuation of a brilliant run with the Jets.
When Maynard’s carer ended as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973, he held NFL records in receptions (633) and receiving yards (11,834) and was second behind fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Hutson in touchdown catches.
Maynard’s 18.7 yards-per-catch total trails only Paul Warfield, Bob Hayes and Lance Alworth among Hall of Famers. He still holds three of the Jets’ top-five seasons in receiving yards north of a half-century after leaving the organization.
Needless to say, those around the NFL paid homage to the all-time great following news of his passing becoming public record.
“Our Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Don Maynard,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “He was a resilient man on and off the field — and someone that his teammates could always count on.”
Maynard is survived by his son, daughter and two grandchildren. Married in 1955, his wife, Marilyn Weaver, predeceased him. Maynard’s cause of death is not yet known.
RIP to a true legend.