Football - Fred Biletnikoff Retires As Raiders WR C

Oakland Raiders are a sad lot to see Fred Biletnikoff go. Biletnikoff retired as their wide receivers coach after being with the Raiders for more than thirty years as player and coach.

For the last 18 seasons, Biletnikoff has been on the coaching staff of the Raiders and out of this, he was the receivers coach for the last 10 seasons.

Biletnikoff will turn 64 on February 24, 2007. Even though he retires, he would still be involved in one way or the other with the Raiders while having more time to devote to his charities.

On his retirement, Biletnikoff said that he was starting a new phase in his life and he hoped that the coming years would bring as much happiness and achievement as what he had received in the previous years.

2006 season was a difficult period for Biletnikoff with the Raiders having their worst NFL show, going for 2-14. There was a showdown between the coaching staff and receivers Jerry Porter and Randy Moss which resulted in Porter being suspended for 2 games for insubordination and Moss suggesting that he would be better off with another team. The poor show of the Raiders also resulted in Art Shell being fired as the head coach and Lane Kiffin being hired in his place.

Biletnikoff played his entire career for the Oakland Raiders which was for 14 years. He is considered to be one of the greatest receivers and he won the MVP in the Super Bowl after the 1976 season when Oakland won 32-14 against Minnesota. Biletnikoff finished his pro career with 8,974 yards receiving, 76 touchdown reception and he also played in 4 Pro Bowls. In 1971, Biletnikoff led the NFL with 61 receptions and he was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

As a collegiate player, he played for Florida State and in his honor the award for the country’s best college receiver bears his name.