LAMAMIMET

Raymond Emmett Berry Jr. was born on February 27, 1933, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and grew up in Paris, Texas. After a modest high‑school career, he played junior college football at Schreiner Institute before transferring to Southern Methodist University, where he caught only a handful of passes.

Drafted in the 20th round of the 1954 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, Berry became a starter alongside quarterback Johnny Unitas and helped transform the wide‑receiver position through relentless practice and route precision. Over a 13‑year career he recorded 631 receptions for 9,725 yards and 70 touchdowns, earned six Pro Bowl selections, three All‑Pro honors, and won back‑to‑back NFL championships, including the iconic 1958 "Greatest Game Ever Played."

After retiring, Berry coached receivers for several teams and served as head coach of the New England Patriots from 1984 to 1989, leading them to Super Bowl XX. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and remained a revered figure in football history. Berry died on May 25, 2026, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at the age of 93.