John Gilliam
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| John Gilliam | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | August 7, 1945 |
| Place of birth | Greenwood, South Carolina |
| Position(s) | Wide Receiver |
| College | South Carolina State University |
| NFL Draft | 1967 / Round 2 |
| Pro Bowls | 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1967-1968, 1977 1969-1971 1972-1975 1976 1977 |
New Orleans Saints St. Louis Cardinals Minnesota Vikings Atlanta Falcons Chicago Bears |
John Gilliam (born August 7, 1945 in Greenwood, South Carolina) was an American football wide receiver.
Gilliam was a receiver out of South Carolina State University, and was drafted in the second round by the expansion New Orleans Saints. He played his first two seasons in New Orleans, and then had stints with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1969 to 1971, Minnesota Vikings from 1972 to 1975, the Atlanta Falcons in 1976, and brief stints with the Chicago Bears and back in New Orleans for 1977. He was elected to the Pro Bowl all four years while he was with Minnesota.[1]
He is famous for returning the opening kickoff 94 yards in the Saints' inaugural game in 1967 against the Los Angeles Rams for their first touchdown in franchise history.
Gilliam played with the Chicago Winds of the WFL in 1975, catching 20 passes for 390 yards, 19.5 average and 2 touchdowns. The Winds folded after 5 games and Gilliam returned to the Vikings in time for the 1975 season.
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Categories: 1945 births | Living people | American football wide receivers | New Orleans Saints players | St. Louis Cardinals (football) players | Minnesota Vikings players | Atlanta Falcons players | Chicago Bears players | World Football League players | Wide receiver stubs | National Conference Pro Bowl players
