James Lofton dominates the gridiron with blazing speed and remarkable durability, securing his place among the greatest wide receivers in NFL history.
JAMES LOFTON
Football Bio
July 5, 1956 – Fort Ord, California – James Lofton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver who played football for the Packers, the Raiders, the Bills, the Eagles, and the Rams, was born.
He hails from Stanford University, where he had a brilliant college career before becoming a pro. The Packers took him number six overall in the 1978 NFL Draft.
James was a First-Team All-Pro in 1981 with Green Bay and was selected to the Pro Bowl 8 times in his long NFL career. In his 16 seasons, James hauled in 764 receptions for 14,004 yards and 76 touchdowns.
That career total of yardage, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was an NFL-best at the time of his retirement, while his 43 games with 100 or more receiving yards ranked third.
He was eventually traded to the Raiders, but a few years later landed on the Bills’ roster. In 1991, at age 35, the still-speedy receiver became the oldest player in league history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
That same year, he recorded a career-best 220 receiving yards in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
James Lofton cements his legacy as a premier deep threat, redefining longevity for NFL pass catchers. He leaves the game as its all-time receiving yardage leader, proving that elite talent and world-class speed easily transcend eras.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2003.
- Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1999.
- 8× Pro Bowl Selection: 1978, 1980–1985, 1991.
- 4× All-Pro Selection: First-Team in 1980 and 1981; Second-Team in 1982 and 1983.
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team: Selected as one of the premier receivers of the era.
- Historical Yardage Leader: Retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 14,004.
- Three-Decade Scorer: The first player in NFL history to score a touchdown in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
- Super Bowl Veteran: Played in three consecutive Super Bowls as a key member of the Buffalo Bills.
- Dual-Sport Champion: Won the 1978 NCAA Long Jump Championship during his time at Stanford University.