We are ranking the Top 10 All-Time Best NFL Offensive Players from Texas high school football. This list is based solely on each player’s NFL career — including MVPs, total stats, All-Pro teams, Super Bowl wins, and Pro Bowl selections.
Raymond Berry comes in at #8 on our list. Berry was widely considered the best receiver in the NFL throughout much of his career. When he retired, he held the NFL records for both career receptions and career receiving yards.
Early Life and High School Career
Raymond Emmett Berry Jr. was born on February 27, 1933, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and grew up in Paris, Texas. At Paris High School, Berry didn’t become a starter until his senior year, despite his father being the head coach. After high school, he spent one year at Schreiner Institute before transferring to Southern Methodist University (SMU).
Berry’s high school and college receiving numbers were modest. However, he developed a relentless work ethic and commitment to precision that would define his football legacy.
College Career at SMU
At SMU, Berry caught only 33 passes over three seasons. The limited numbers were partly due to the run-heavy offenses of the early 1950s. Despite low production, Berry’s technical skills stood out to NFL scouts.
He was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 20th round of the 1954 NFL Draft — an incredible 232nd overall. A long shot to make the team, Berry’s career soon became one of the NFL’s greatest underdog stories.
NFL Career and Achievements
Raymond Berry built one of the finest careers in NFL history through sheer dedication and unmatched route running:
- 2× NFL Champion (1958, 1959)
- 6× Pro Bowl Selection (1958–1961, 1963, 1964)
- 3× First-Team All-Pro (1958–1960)
- NFL Receptions Leader (1958, 1959, 1960)
- NFL Receiving Yards Leader (1957, 1959, 1960)
- NFL Receiving Touchdowns Leader (1958, 1959)
- NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams
Berry’s performance in the 1958 NFL Championship Game — often called “The Greatest Game Ever Played” — remains legendary. He caught 12 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, setting a championship record that stood for decades.
When Berry retired after the 1967 season, he held the all-time NFL records for receptions (631) and receiving yards (9,275). He was also tied for fourth all-time in touchdown receptions (68).
Legacy
Berry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973. He later found success as a head coach, leading the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance in the 1985 season.
Known for his precise routes, strong hands, and relentless preparation, Berry helped redefine the wide receiver position for generations to come. His career remains a powerful testament to technique, intelligence, and hard work over raw athleticism.
- 2× NFL Champion
- Retired as NFL’s All-Time Receptions and Yards Leader
- 6× Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame Member
That is why Raymond Berry earns the #8 spot on our list of the greatest offensive players from Texas high school football.
