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Fred Biletnikoff synonymous with excellence; Where is he now?
Fred Biletnikoff at the 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony. (Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)

Fred Biletnikoff synonymous with excellence; Where is he now?

OAKLAND (BVM) –Every year, the top receiver in college football takes home the Biletnikoff Award. While many that win it probably do not know the man it is named after, people who got to watch Fred Biletnikoff play know just how special he was.

Before his pro career

Biletnikoff grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania and attended Erie High School (previously known as Technical Memorial High School) where the football field is now named after him.

He decided to play collegiately at Florida State where he began his rise to stardom. He began to make an impact with the Seminoles as a two-way player. That season, Biletnikoff led the team in both receptions and interceptions.

He excelled as a senior with 70 catches and a nation-leading 1,179 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He would become the first consensus All-American in the program’s history.

Biletnikoff was selected 11th overall in the 1965 AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders

Professional career

Biletnikoff did not break out until year three in the AFL. In 1967, he had 40 receptions, 876 yards and five touchdowns, helping lead the Raiders to an AFL championship victory over the Houston Oilers. He also led the league in yards per reception that season with 21.9.

Biletnikoff helped the Raiders win another championship in 1976, but this time it was a Super Bowl. Oakland defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI and Biletnikoff took home MVP honors with a fourreception, 79yard performance.

He played 14 seasons for the Raiders’ organization, finishing with 589 receptions, 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns.

​​https://twitter.com/FB_FilmAnalysis/status/1260239467232681984

Biletnikoff wrapped up his playing career with one season on the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL in 1980.

In 1988, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Coaching career

Before the end of the 1980 season, Biletnikoff hopped onto the Alouettes coaching staff as an assistant. He spent eight years at various stints before he got an opportunity in the NFL, being brought back by the Raiders in 1989.

He spent 17 seasons as their wide receivers coach before retiring in 2006.

What is Biletnikoff best known for?

While he did not possess blazing speed, he had some of the greatest hands the league has ever seen along with pristine route running.

One possible reason why it was so rare to see Biletnikoff drop a pass was because of his use of Stickum. He was one of the players most known for his use of the product before it was banned in 1981.

Where is he now?

Now 79 years old, Biletnikoff lives in Roseville, California. He still runs his non-profit organization, The Biletnikoff Foundation, which helps kids in low-income communities. 

As far as his activeness in the football world goes, he is still seen often by Raiders fans, being frequently featured on the team’s website.