Paul Warfield
{{Short description|American football player (born 1942)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image = Paul Warfield 1971MIA.png
| caption = Warfield in 1971
| position = Wide receiver
| number = 42
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1942|11|28|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Warren, Ohio, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 188
| draftyear = 1964
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 11
| high_school = Warren G. Harding {{nowrap|(Warren, Ohio)}}
| college = Ohio State
| pastteams =
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|1964}}–{{NFL Year|1969}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|1970}}–{{NFL Year|1974}})
- Memphis Southmen (1975)
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|1976}}–{{NFL Year|1977}})
| highlights =
- 2× Super Bowl champion (VII, VIII)
- NFL champion (1964)
- 2× First-team All-Pro (1971, 1973)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (1968, 1970, 1972)
- 8× Pro Bowl (1964, 1968–1974)
- 2× NFL receiving touchdowns leader (1968, 1971)
- NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
- Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor
- Miami Dolphins Honor Roll
- Dolphins Walk of Fame (2011)
- National champion (1961)
- First-team All-American (1963)
- 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1962, 1963)
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 427
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 8,565
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 85
| pfr = WarfPa00
| HOF = paul-warfield
}}
Paul Dryden Warfield (born November 28, 1942) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 to 1977 for the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins, except for a year in the World Football League (WFL) with the Memphis Southmen in 1975. He was known for his speed, fluid moves, grace, and jumping ability. A consistent big-play threat throughout his career, his 20.1 average yards per reception is the highest in NFL history among players with at least 300 receptions.
As a star halfback playing college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Warfield was twice named to the all-conference team in the Big Ten. He was selected in the first round of the 1964 NFL draft by the Browns and converted into a wide receiver. After three Pro Bowl appearances with the Browns, he was traded to the Dolphins, with whom he made another five Pro Bowl appearances. He then spent one season in the WFL with the Southmen before returning to the Browns for his final two seasons of play.
Warfield played in seven championship games in his professional career—four NFL Championship Games with the Browns and three Super Bowls with the Dolphins—and earned victories in the 1964 NFL Championship Game, Super Bowl VII, and Super Bowl VIII. After his playing career, he served as a scout and adviser for the Browns for several years. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983, and is a member of the Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor and the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll.
Early life
Paul Dryden Warfield was born in Warren, Ohio. His father, Dryden Warfield, was a deacon in a Baptist church.{{cite book|last1=Pluto|first1=Terry|author-link1=Terry Pluto|title=When All the World was Browns Town: Cleveland's Browns and the Championship Season of '64|date=1997|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=0684822466|page=192|edition=illustrated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sl56N-AVCE0C&pg=PA192|access-date=August 16, 2017}} Warfield attended Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, where he was a star running back and defensive back for the Panthers. He scored 92 points as a junior in 1958,{{cite news|last1=Howell|first1=Fritz|title=Alliance Voted State Grid Championship|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13125443/alliance_voted_state_grid_championship/|access-date=August 16, 2017|work=The Evening Independent|agency=Associated Press|date=November 16, 1958|page=10|via=Newspapers.com}} a campaign highlighted by a 6–0 victory over powerhouse Massillon Washington High School.{{cite news|last1=Powell|first1=Charlie|title=Warren Overcomes Tigers In 6–0 Battle|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13125106/warren_overcomes_tigers_in_60_battle/|access-date=August 16, 2017|work=The Evening Independent|date=October 25, 1958|page=10|via=Newspapers.com}} The following season, as a senior he scored 93 points, including all three of his team's touchdowns in the final game of the season.{{cite news|last1=Howell|first1=Fritz|title=Massillon Familiar Name In AP's Top Slot On Final High School State Poll|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13125246/massillon_familiar_name_in_aps_top/|access-date=August 16, 2017|work=Lancaster Eagle-Gazette|agency=Associated Press|date=November 25, 1959|page=10|via=Newspapers.com}} As a basketball player he was noted for his speed, often leading fast breaks.{{cite news|title=Two Road Tests Face ELHS This Weekend|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13125829/meet_warren_canton_quints_in_succession/|access-date=August 16, 2017|work=The Evening Review|date=December 17, 1959|page=13|via=Newspapers.com}} He also ran track and field at Warren G. Harding, and was the Ohio High School Athletic Association Class AA broad jump champion in 1958.{{Cite web | url=https://ohsaa.org/sports/tf/pastresults/TF_1958.pdf | title=1958 - State Track Meet | access-date=2024-06-26}} During the 1960 season he set a Class AA state record while winning the 180-yard hurdles.{{Cite web | url=https://ohsaa.org/sports/tf/pastresults/TF_1960.pdf | title=1960 - State Track Meet | access-date=2024-06-26}}
College career
Warfield then attended Ohio State University, where he played for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team under coach Woody Hayes. As he did in high school, he continued to star as both a running back and defensive back. As the secondary ball-carrier behind fullback Bob Ferguson during Ohio State's national championship season in 1961, Warfield carried 77 times for 420 yards and five touchdowns. He was a third-team All-Big Ten Conference selection by the conference's coaches.{{cite news|title=Saimes and McRae Selected On All-Big Ten Football Team|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13127342/saimes_and_mcrae_selected_on_allbig/|access-date=August 16, 2017|work=The Holland Evening Sentinel|agency=United Press International|date=November 29, 1961|page=23|via=Newspapers.com}} In 1962 he rushed for 367 yards and two touchdowns, and his 6.4 yards-per-carry average led the Big Ten. As a senior in 1963 he rushed for 260 yards and a touchdown and caught 22 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns. He was voted by the Big Ten's coaches as the first-team halfback on both the 1962 and 1963 All-Big Ten teams.{{cite news|title=Pick Big Ten All-Star Squad|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11896445/pick_big_ten_allstar_squad/|access-date=August 15, 2017|work=Galesburg Register-Mail|agency=United Press International|date=November 27, 1962|page=12|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|last1=Sainsbury|first1=Ed|title=Butkus, Eller Near-Unanimous Choices for Big Ten All-Stars|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13127575/butkus_eller_nearunanimous_choices/|access-date=August 16, 2017|work=The Daily Register|agency=United Press International|date=November 29, 1963|page=9|via=Newspapers.com}}
A two-time letterman in track and field at Ohio State, Warfield competed as a broad jumper, hurdler, and sprinter. He excelled as a broad jumper, recording a personal best of 26 feet 2 inches, and was an Olympic prospect before he decided to play professional football.{{cite book|last1=Lebovitz|first1=Hal|author-link1=Hal Lebovitz|title=The Best of Hal Lebovitz: Great Sportswriting from Six Decades in Cleveland|date=2006|publisher=Gray & Company|isbn=1598510231|page=193|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7UH1XVe0rwMC&pg=PA193|access-date=August 16, 2017}}
Professional career
=Cleveland Browns=
The Cleveland Browns selected Warfield with the 11th pick of the 1964 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=1964 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1964/draft.htm |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} There was some thought for Warfield to play as a defensive back. But during workouts prior to the season, his play as a wide receiver impressed head coach Blanton Collier, and he was converted to the position.{{cite book|last1=Grossi|first1=Tony|author-link1=Tony Grossi|title=Tales from the Browns Sideline|date=2004|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|isbn=1582617139|page=44|edition=illustrated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=323JWAzbtjwC&pg=PA44|access-date=August 27, 2017}} In his rookie season, he caught 52 passes for 920 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 17.8 yards per reception, and his speed served to complement the power of star running back Jim Brown.{{Cite news |last=Hand |first=Jack |date=September 10, 1964 |title=Packers, Giants Rated Favorites In NFL |page=14 |work=The Salem News |agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13379117/packers_giants_rated_favorites_in_nfl/ |access-date=August 27, 2017}} The Browns finished the season atop the East Division with a 10–3–1 record, and defeated the Baltimore Colts 27–0 in the 1964 NFL Championship Game.{{cite web|title=Championship – Baltimore Colts at Cleveland Browns – December 27th, 1964|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196412270cle.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=August 27, 2017}} Warfield was invited to his first Pro Bowl and was named a first-team All-Pro by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA).
In the 1965 Chicago College All-Star Game, which annually pitted the reigning NFL champion against star college players, Warfield shattered his collarbone and missed the majority of the 1965 season as a result. He returned for the penultimate game of the season and caught three passes for 30 yards before bruising his collarbone, causing him to miss the final game of the regular season.{{cite news|title=Paul Warfield Set For Game Sunday|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13421821/paul_warfield_set_for_game_sunday/|access-date=August 29, 2017|work=The Post-Crescent|agency=Associated Press|date=December 29, 1965|page=18|via=Newspapers.com}} The Browns returned to the NFL Championship Game in 1965, in which Warfield caught two passes for 30 yards in a 23–12 loss to the Green Bay Packers.{{cite web|title=Championship – Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers – January 2nd, 1966|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196601020gnb.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=August 29, 2017}}
Warfield returned to form in 1966, catching 36 passes for 741 yards and five touchdowns, and in 1967 recorded 32 receptions for 702 yards and eight touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield 1966 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00/gamelog/1966/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield 1967 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00/gamelog/1967/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In 1968, Warfield caught 50 passes and for the only time in his career eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards, finishing with 1,067.{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield 1968 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00/gamelog/1968/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} His career-high 12 receiving touchdowns led the league that year.{{Cite web |title=1968 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1968/receiving.htm |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Browns again reached the NFL Championship Game, where they were shutout by the Baltimore Colts, 34–0.{{cite news |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1968/12/30/page/59/article/colts-crush-browns-for-n-f-l-title |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |last=Strickler |first=George |title=Colts Crush Browns for NFL Title |date=December 30, 1968 |access-date=August 29, 2017 |page=1, section 3}} Warfield earned first-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), Pro Football Weekly, and NEA, and made another Pro Bowl appearance.
After another NFL championship game appearance for the Browns and Pro Bowl season for Warfield in 1969, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins for the third pick in the 1970 draft.{{cite news|title=Warfield and 3 Dealt by Browns|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1970/01/27/page/47/article/warfield-and-3-dealt-by-browns|access-date=August 29, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|agency=United Press International|date=January 27, 1970|page=1, section 3}} The trade came as a shock to Warfield, who had established himself as one of the Browns' most popular players. "I have to admit going to Miami was not a place I desired to go," said Warfield 30 years later.Grossi 2004, p. 46. The Browns used the pick acquired in the trade on Purdue University quarterback Mike Phipps. The trade is considered one of the most lopsided in NFL history, as Phipps had only limited success for the Browns, while Warfield was a major factor in the Dolphins' championships in the early 1970s.{{cite news|last1=Feller|first1=Jason|title=History shows it can be risky to trade great players for picks|url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d8101bfd7/article/history-shows-it-can-be-risky-to-trade-great-players-for-picks|access-date=September 21, 2017|work=NFL.com|date=May 4, 2009}}
=Miami Dolphins=
In need of a deep-play receiver, Dolphins head coach Don Shula stated he "jumped at the chance" to acquire Warfield, saying he had always admired him and called him "a real thoroughbred, equal to the best in the game."{{cite news|title=Miami Duo Clicks|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13904981/miami_duo_clicks/|access-date=September 21, 2017|work=Warren Times-Mirror and Observer|agency=Associated Press|date=November 16, 1971|page=8}} In his first season with Miami, Warfield caught only 28 passes but recorded 703 yards, an average of 25.1 yards per catch.{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield 1970 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00/gamelog/1970/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}} He was invited to his first Pro Bowl with the Dolphins and was named a second-team All-Pro by the NEA. The Dolphins finished with a 10–4 record and lost to the Oakland Raiders in the divisional round of the 1970 playoffs.{{cite web|title=Divisional Round – Miami Dolphins at Oakland Raiders – December 27th, 1970|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197012270rai.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=September 21, 2017}}
In 1971, Warfield caught 43 passes for 996 yards and again led the league in receiving touchdowns, with 11.{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield 1971 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00/gamelog/1971/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}{{Cite web |title=1971 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/receiving.htm |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}} He earned first-team All-Pro honors from the AP and UPI, among other selectors, and made his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. Through the Dolphins' first two games of the 1971 playoffs, against the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Colts, Warfield caught nine passes for 265 yards and a touchdown. Shortly before Super Bowl VI between the Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, President Richard Nixon famously telephoned Dolphins coach Don Shula to suggest that they run a particular pass play to Warfield.{{cite news|title=Everybody At Super Bowl Except Silent Duane Talking About President's Play|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13905992/everybody_at_super_bowl_except_silent/|access-date=September 21, 2017|work=The Bee|agency=Associated Press|date=January 11, 1972|page=9|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Paul|title=Nixon and the Straw|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/07/30/nixon-and-the-straw-back-when-he/|access-date=August 15, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=July 30, 1989}} The play, a down-and-in pattern, was tried and resulted in an incomplete pass.{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Dave|title=Nixon Pledges Allegiance to Redskins|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/02/archives/nixon-pledges-allegiance-to-redskins-nixon-pledges-redskin-support.html|access-date=August 15, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=January 2, 1973}} Covered by star defensive back Mel Renfro,{{cite news|title=Warfield Vs. Renfro Again|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13905976/warfield_vs_renfro_again/|access-date=September 21, 2017|work=The Times Recorder|agency=United Press International|date=January 13, 1972|page=19|via=Newspapers.com}} Warfield was limited to four receptions for 39 yards as the Dolphins were defeated 24–3.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Norm|title=Dallas Finally Lands Big One; Super Defense Dooms Dolphs|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/super-bowl-vi-cowboy-roger-rides-dolphs-24-3-article-1.1552368|access-date=September 21, 2017|work=New York Daily News|date=January 17, 1972}}
Warfield missed two games in the Dolphins' undefeated 1972 season due to an injured foot but still led the team with 606 receiving yards.{{cite web|title=1972 Miami Dolphins Statistics & Players|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1972.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=October 6, 2017}} Through Miami's three postseason games of 1972, Warfield caught seven passes for 149 yards and carried the ball twice for 41 yards. The Dolphins defeated the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII to earn their first Super Bowl title.{{cite news|last1=Fox|first1=Larry|title=Super Bowl VII: Dolphs Do It, Upset Skins for 17–0 record|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/super-bowl-vii-dolphs-upset-skins-17-0-record-article-1.1553595|access-date=October 7, 2017|work=New York Daily News|date=January 15, 1973}}
Although Warfield caught only 29 passes during the 1973 season, 11 of those receptions were touchdowns, with 4 coming in the first half of the regular season finale over the Detroit Lions.{{cite news|title=Dolphins And Warfield Rip Lions|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13109555/dolphins_and_warfield_rip_lions/|access-date=August 15, 2017|work=The Fresno Bee|agency=Associated Press|date=December 16, 1973|page=78|via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield 1973 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00/gamelog/1973/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}} In the Dolphins' three playoff games that year, Warfield caught seven passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins reached the Super Bowl for the third consecutive year, and won it for the second straight time by defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII.{{cite news|last1=Pope|first1=Edwin|title=Miami Dolphins are pro football's all-time kings after rout of Vikings in Super Bowl VIII|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/super-bowl/article130756244.html|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=Miami Herald|date=January 14, 1974}}
In 1974, Warfield caught 27 passes for 536 yards and 2 touchdowns, and was invited to the last of 2 consecutive Pro Bowls.{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield 1974 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00/gamelog/1974/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}} The Dolphins again reached the playoffs, this time losing to the Raiders in the divisional round. Through 5 seasons with the Dolphins, Warfield compiled 156 receptions for 3,355 yards and 33 touchdowns. In 11 playoff games, he caught 34 passes for 717 yards and 4 touchdowns.
=Memphis Southmen=
In March 1974, he was selected by the Toronto Northmen in the second round (23rd overall) of the WFL Pro Draft.{{Cite web |date=July 12, 2017 |title=The day Toronto stunned the football world: The ill-fated deal to bring three NFL stars north to join an upstart rival league |url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/football/nfl/the-day-toronto-stunned-the-football-world-the-ill-fated-deal-to-bring-three-nfl-stars-north-to-join-an-upstart-rival-league |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=National Post}} Prior to the start of the 1974 season, Warfield and teammates Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick made what were then surprising decisions. They left the Dolphins at the conclusion of the season for what appeared to be more lucrative pastures with the Northmen of World Football League (WFL).{{cite news|title=Csonka, Kiick, Warfield Go to WFL in '75|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14448897/csonka_kiick_warfield_go_to_wfl_in_75/|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=The Sioux City Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=April 1, 1974|page=23|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|last1=Gustkey|first1=Earl|title=A Big Splash, Then No Cash: WFL Made History in 1974, but 'Whiffle Ball' Didn't Last|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-31-sp-40651-story.html|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 31, 1994}} The Northmen then moved to Memphis, Tennessee, without playing a game in Toronto, and became the Memphis Southmen. Warfield played the 1975 season with the Memphis Southmen, catching 25 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns.{{cite web|title=World Football League – 1975 Memphis Southmen Statistics|url=http://wflfootball.tripod.com/1975/memstats.html|website=wflfootball.tripod.com|access-date=October 16, 2017}}
=Return to Browns and retirement=
After the dissolution of the WFL following the 1975 season, Warfield told reporters he would be interested in rejoining the Browns if the Southmen were not admitted into the NFL.{{cite news|title=Paul Warfield Favors Browns|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14449315/paul_warfield_favors_browns/|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=The Terre Haute Tribune|agency=United Press International|date=February 24, 1976|page=10|via=Newspapers.com}} The Southmen were refused admittance, and Warfield was ultimately persuaded to rejoin by Browns owner Art Modell, who felt Warfield would be a valuable asset as both a receiver and in public relations.{{cite news|title=Warfield happy with Cleveland|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14449392/warfield_happy_with_cleveland/|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=Washington Court House Record-Herald|date=August 4, 1976|page=14|via=Newspapers.com}} Warfield played his final two pro football seasons in Cleveland, catching 38 passes for 613 yards and six touchdowns in 1976 and 18 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in 1977.{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield 1976 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00/gamelog/1976/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}}{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield 1977 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00/gamelog/1977/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference}} In his eight years with the Browns, he caught 271 passes for 5,210 yards and 52 touchdowns.
In his 13 NFL seasons Warfield caught 427 passes for 8,565 yards for 20.1 yards per catch and scored 85 touchdowns. He added another 204 yards on 22 rushing attempts. In 18 playoff games, he caught 58 passes for 1,121 yards and five touchdowns.{{cite web|title=Paul Warfield Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=January 9, 2017}} His 85 career receiving touchdowns is tied for 15th most in NFL history,{{cite web|title=NFL Receiving Touchdowns Career Leaders|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_td_career.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=October 16, 2017}} and his 20.1 average yards per reception is tied for the fourth highest among players with at least 200 career receptions and the highest among players with at least 300 receptions.{{cite web|title=NFL Yards per Reception Career Leaders|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_per_rec_career.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=October 16, 2017}} At the time of his retirement, his 1,121 postseason receiving yards were the second highest total in NFL history, trailing only Fred Biletnikoff by 46 yards.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_yds_career_playoffs.htm | title=NFL Receiving Yards Career Playoffs Leaders | website=Pro-Football-Reference.com }}
Career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league |
| style="background:#ffe6bd; width:3em;"|
| Won NFL championship |
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the Super Bowl |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! rowspan="2"| Fum | |||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | style="background:#ffe6bd; width:3em;"|CLE
|14 ||14 ||52 ||920||17.7||62||9||0||0||0||0||0||0 | ||||||||||||
| 1965 | CLE
|1||0||3||30||10.0||13||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 | ||||||||||||
| 1966 | CLE
|14 ||14 ||36||741||20.6||51||5||0||0||0||0||0||0 | ||||||||||||
| 1967 | CLE
| 14 ||14 ||32||702||21.9||49||8||2||10||5.0||18||0||0 | ||||||||||||
| 1968 | CLE
|14 ||14 ||50||1,067 ||21.3||65|| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|12 ||0||0||0||0||0||0 | ||||||||||||
| 1969 | CLE
|14 ||14 ||42||886||21.1||82||10||2||23||11.5||16||0||0 | ||||||||||||
| 1970 | MIA
|11||11||28||703||25.1 ||54||6||2||13||6.5||16||0||0 | ||||||||||||
| 1971 | MIA
|14 ||14 ||43||996||23.2||86 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|11|| 9 ||115 ||12.8||39 ||0||3 | ||||||||||||
| 1972 | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|MIA
|12||11||29||606||20.9||47||3||4||23||5.8||21||0||1 | ||||||||||||
| 1973 | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|MIA
|14 ||14 ||29||514||17.7||45||11||1||15||15.0 ||15||0||1 | ||||||||||||
| 1974 | MIA
|9||9||27||536||19.9||54||2||0||0||0||0||0||0 | ||||||||||||
| 1975 | MIA
| 0 || 0 || colspan="12"| Missed season - Memphis Southmen (World Football League) | ||||||||||||
| 1976 | CLE
|14 ||14 ||38||613||16.1||37||6||1||3||3.0||3||0||3 | ||||||||||||
| 1977 | CLE
|12||9||18||251||13.9||52||2||1||2||2.0||2||0||0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WarfPa00.htm Career] | 157 | 152 | 427 | 8,565 | 20.3 | 86 | 85 | 22 | 204 | 9.3 | 39 | 0 | 8 |
== Honors and later life ==
Warfield was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983, his first year of eligibility, one of only five Dolphins to accomplish this feat (Jim Langer, Jason Taylor, Dan Marino and Don Shula). He is a member of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team as one of the best players of the decade.{{cite web|title=NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1970s – Offense|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/news/nfl-s-all-decade-team-of-the-1970s-offense/|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|access-date=October 16, 2017|date=January 21, 2010}} In 1999, he was ranked 60th on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.{{cite news|title=Sporting News Top 100 Football Players|newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle|date=August 15, 1999|page=3D|access-date=January 9, 2017|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4376402/sporting_news_top_100_football_players/|via=Newspapers.com}} He is on the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll,{{cite news|last1=Perkins|first1=Chris|title=Miami Dolphins' 50th Anniversary: By the numbers|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-dolphins-50-numbers-20150708-story.html|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=July 30, 2015}} and was an inaugural inductee into the Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor in 2010.{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Nate|title=Sixteen inaugural members of Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor unveiled|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/08/sixteen-inaugural-members-of-cleveland-browns-ring-of-honor-unveiled/1|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=USA Today|date=August 26, 2010}} Warfield participated in the opening coin flip for the Ohio State–Michigan game in 2006 between the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes and No. 2-ranked Wolverines.{{cite web|title=OSU–Michigan Game Photos|url=https://scout.com/college/ohio-state/Article/OSU-Michigan-Game-Photos-104375340|website=Scout.com|access-date=October 16, 2017|date=November 18, 2006}} In 2013, Warren G. Harding High School erected a life-size statue of Warfield near the school's stadium.{{cite news|last1=Gulas|first1=Greg|title=Warfield statue to be dedicated at WGH|url=http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/aug/28/warfield-statue-to-be-dedicated-at-wgh/?print|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=Youngstown Vindicator|date=August 28, 2013|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017042306/http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/aug/28/warfield-statue-to-be-dedicated-at-wgh/?print|url-status=dead}}
In 1977, Warfield earned a master's degree in telecommunications from Kent State University.{{cite news|title=Numbers Didn't Define Browns Great Paul Warfield|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/news/numbers-didn-t-define-browns-great-paul-warfield/|access-date=October 16, 2017|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|date=August 20, 2015}} During his time as a student, Warfield was a sportscaster for the morning drive program on the university's radio station, WKSU-FM,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46255197/wksu-fm-begins-morning-show/|title=WKSU-FM Begins 'Morning Show'|date=March 2, 1974|work=Akron Beacon Journal|access-date=March 7, 2020|page=B11}} and presided over the station's first pledge drive in April 1974 following its conversion to a public radio outlet.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46258511/5000-raised-for-xenia-station/|title=$5,000 Raised For Xenia, Station|date=April 24, 1974|work=Akron Beacon Journal|access-date=March 7, 2020|page=A6}} He worked for WKYC in Cleveland as a sportscaster from 1977 to 1980.
{{cite book| author=Joe Castiglione with Douglas B. Lyons| chapter=Broadcasting beginnings| title=Broadcast Rites and Sites: I Saw it on the Radio with the Boston Red Sox| publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing| isbn= 1-58979-324-2| year=2006| page=17}} He also later served as president of a management consultant firm in Moraine, Ohio. From 1981 to 1987, he worked as director of player relations for the Browns, and from 2004 to 2010 was senior adviser to the general manager for the team.{{cite news|last1=Lerner|first1=Keven|title=Former Miami Dolphins star Paul Warfield retires from Cleveland Browns' front office|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-paul-warfield-retires-browns-dolphins-060310-story.html|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=June 3, 2010}} Warfield is retired and resides in Rancho Mirage, California.{{cite news|title=Ohio State football – Q&A with former Buckeye Paul Warfield|url=http://www.timesreporter.com/article/20150903/sports/309039976|access-date=October 16, 2017|work=The Times-Reporter|date=September 3, 2015}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{profootballhof|id=225|name=Paul Warfield}}
- {{Footballstats |nfl=WAR393426 |cfl= |afl= |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=W/WarfPa00 |rotoworld=}}
- [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/paul-warfield-1.html College stats at Sports Reference]
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