![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Hutson-Don-1940.jpg/150px-Hutson-Don-1940.jpg)
In American football, passing, along with running (also referred to as rushing), is one of the two main methods of advancing the ball down the field. Passes are typically attempted by the quarterback, but any offensive player can attempt a pass provided they are behind the line of scrimmage.[1] To qualify as a passing play, the ball must have initially moved forward after leaving the hands of the passer; if the ball initially moved laterally or backwards, the play would instead be considered a running play.[2] A player who catches a forward pass is a receiver, and the number of receiving yards each player has recorded in each season is a recorded stat in football games. In addition to the overall National Football League (NFL) receiving champion, league record books recognize statistics from the American Football League (AFL), which operated from 1960 to 1969 before being absorbed into the NFL in 1970.
The NFL did not begin keeping official records until the 1932 season.[3] The average yards the leader has gained has increased over time – since the adoption of the 14-game season in 1961,[4] all but one season saw the receiving leader record over 1,000 yards. No player has ever finished with over 2,000 receiving yards in a season; the current record is 1,964 yards, set by Calvin Johnson during the 2012 season. Wes Chandler, who led the league with 1,032 yards in the strike-shortened 1982 season, averaged 129 yards receiving per game, an NFL record.[5][6]
Don Hutson led the league in receiving yards seven times, the most of any player; Jerry Rice is second with six. Hutson also recorded the most consecutive seasons leading the league in receiving, doing so for five seasons from 1941 to 1945, while Jerry Rice ranks second with three consecutive league-leading seasons from 1993 to 1995; they are the only players to lead the league in yards in more than four seasons. A Green Bay Packers player has led the league in receiving yards eleven times, the most in the NFL; the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams rank second with nine league-leading seasons. The most recent receiving yards leader was Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins, who recorded 1,799 receiving yards during the 2023 season.
NFL season receiving yards leaders
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/BobMann1948Bowman.jpg/150px-BobMann1948Bowman.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Elroy_Hirsch.png/150px-Elroy_Hirsch.png)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Stevelargent.jpg/150px-Stevelargent.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Wes_Chandler.jpg/150px-Wes_Chandler.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Jerry_Rice.jpg/150px-Jerry_Rice.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Marvin_Harrison_in_2007_Training_Camp_2.jpg/150px-Marvin_Harrison_in_2007_Training_Camp_2.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Calvin_Johnson_vs_Green_Bay.jpg/150px-Calvin_Johnson_vs_Green_Bay.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/AntonioBrown_closeup.jpg/150px-AntonioBrown_closeup.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Julio_Jones_2018.jpg/150px-Julio_Jones_2018.jpg)
Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
Leader | The player who recorded the most receiving yards in the NFL |
Yds | Total receiving yards |
GP | The number of games that the player participated in during that season |
^ | Pro Football Hall of Fame member |
* | The player is an active player |
# | Player set the single-season receiving yards record |
† | Player won the AP Most Valuable Player award in the same year |
‡ | Player won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award in the same year |
Historical records for most receiving yards in one season
[edit]Season | Player | Team | Receiving Yards | Games Played | Reign |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1932 | Ray Flaherty^ | New York Giants | 350 | 12 | 3 years |
1935 | Charley Malone | Boston Redskins | 433 | 11 | 1 year |
1936 | Don Hutson^ | Green Bay Packers | 536 | 12 | 1 year |
1937 | Gaynell Tinsley | Chicago Cardinals | 675 | 11 | 2 years |
1939 | Don Hutson^ | Green Bay Packers | 846 | 11 | 3 years |
1942 | Don Hutson^ | Green Bay Packers | 1,211 | 11 | 9 years |
1951 | Elroy Hirsch^ | Los Angeles Rams | 1,495 | 12 | 33 years |
1984 | Roy Green | St. Louis Cardinals | 1,555 | 16 | 2 years |
1986 | Jerry Rice^ | San Francisco 49ers | 1,570 | 15 | 9 years |
1995 | Jerry Rice^ | San Francisco 49ers | 1,848 | 16 | 17 years |
2012 | Calvin Johnson^ | Detroit Lions | 1,964 | 16 | Since 2012 |
AFL receiving yards leaders
[edit]Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
Player | The player who recorded the most receiving yards in the AFL |
Yds | Total receiving yards |
GP | The number of games that the player participated in during that season |
^ | Pro Football Hall of Fame member |
Season | Player | Team | Yds | GP | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1960 | Bill Groman | Houston Oilers | 1,473 | 14 | [72] |
1961 | Charley Hennigan | Houston Oilers | 1,746 | 14 | [73] |
1962 | Art Powell | New York Titans | 1,130 | 14 | [74] |
1963 | Art Powell (2) | Oakland Raiders | 1,304 | 14 | [74] |
1964 | Charley Hennigan (2) | Houston Oilers | 1,546 | 14 | [73] |
1965 | Lance Alworth^ | San Diego Chargers | 1,602 | 14 | [75] |
1966 | Lance Alworth (2)^ | San Diego Chargers | 1,383 | 13 | [75] |
1967 | Don Maynard^ | New York Jets | 1,434 | 14 | [76] |
1968 | Lance Alworth (3)^ | San Diego Chargers | 1,312 | 14 | [75] |
1969 | Warren Wells | Oakland Raiders | 1,260 | 14 | [77] |
See also
[edit]- List of National Football League season receiving touchdowns leaders
- List of National Football League career receiving yards leaders
Notes
[edit]- ^ "Beginner's Guide to Football". National Football League. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
- ^ Brinson, Will (December 31, 2013). "NFL, Elias reviewing Peyton Manning passing record: lateral or pass?". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ "NFL's Passer Rating". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
- ^ "NFL Regular Season Games Played per Season". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
- ^ Cobbs, Chris (August 15, 1986). "Don't Mess With Wes : Chandler Uses Fear to His Own Advantage Against Pain, Pressure". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022.
- ^ "NFL Single-Season Receiving Yards per Game Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- ^ "NFL Career Receiving Yards Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ "Ray Flaherty NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 29, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Paul Moss NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Harry Ebding NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Charley Malone NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Don Hutson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Don Looney NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Jim Benton NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Mal Kutner NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Bob Mann NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Tom Fears NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Elroy Hirsch NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Billy Howton NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Pete Pihos NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Raymond Berry NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 13, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Del Shofner NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Tommy McDonald NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Bobby Mitchell NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "John Morris NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Dave Parks NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Pat Studstill NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Ben Hawkins NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Roy Jefferson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Harold Jacks NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Gene Washington NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Otis Taylor NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Harold Carmichael NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Cliff Branch NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Ken Burrough NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Roger Carr NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Drew Pearson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Wesley Walker NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Steve Largent NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "John Jefferson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Alfred Jenkins NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Wes Chandler NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Mike Quick NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Roy Green NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Jerry Rice NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "J. T. Smith NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Henry Ellard NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Michal Irvin NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 15, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Sterling Sharpe NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Isaac Bruce NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Rob Moore NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Antonio Freeman NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Marvin Harrison NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Torry Holt NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "David Boston NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 17, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Muhsin Muhammad NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Steve Smith NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Chad Johnson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Reggie Wayne NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Andre Johnson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Brandon Lloyd NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 15, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Calvin Johnson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Josh Gordon NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Antonio Brown NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
- ^ a b "Julio Jones NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "T.Y. Hilton NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Michael Thomas Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
- ^ "Stefon Diggs Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
- ^ "Cooper Kupp Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-31. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
- ^ "Justin Jefferson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ "Tyreek Hill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Bill Groman NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Charley Hennigan NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 11, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b "Art Powell NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Lance Alworth NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Don Maynard NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
- ^ "Warren Wells NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
References
[edit]- "AP MVP winners". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- "AP Offensive Player of the Year winners". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- "Hall of Famers – Alphabetically". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
- "2012 NFL Record and Fact Book" (PDF). NFL.com. pp. 625–626. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
External links
[edit]- National Football League Archived 2009-02-01 at the Wayback Machine
- 250 best AFL and NFL receiving seasons Archived 2023-01-21 at the Wayback Machine