gold star for USAHOF

154. Charley Hennigan

This page generously sponsored by: Nobody yet! Sponsor it on Patreon to be the first name on this list!
  • Published in Football
  • Read 5235 times
  • Rate this item
    (1 Vote)
154. Charley Hennigan

Charley Hennigan went undrafted in both in the NFL and AFL, but the Houston Oilers of the latter gave him a chance, and aren't they glad they did!

The Wide Receiver managed 722 Yards as a rookie, and he is credited with scoring the first TD in Oilers history.  He was a large part of Houston getting to the AFL Championship and subsequently winning it as he caught four passes for 71 Yards.  He wasn't going to sneak up anyone in 1961, but it didn't matter as he was unstoppable leading the AFL in Receiving Yards and Yards from Scrimmage (1,746) and was so dominant in the month of October that he had 822 Yards, a record that stood for 34 years!  He set (and will forever hold) the single game Receiving Yard Game with 272 Yards.  The Oilers won their second AFL Title, which never happens without Hennigan.

Hennigan, who was an All-Star and First Team All-Pro in 1961, was an All-Star again perennially until 1965.  He would win his second First Team All-Pro in 1964, a season in which he would once again lead the AFL in Receiving Yards and Yards from Scrimmage.  After a steep decline, he retired after the 1966 season, but his dominance in the first half of the 1960s should never be forgotten.  We know that we won't.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Bienville, Louisiana, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Saturday, 01 January 1972
  • Position: Wide Receiver
  • Games Played: 95
  • Notable Statistics: 410 Receptions
    6,823 Receiving Yards
    51 Receiving Touchdowns
    71 Approximate Value

    3 Playoff Games
    12 Receptions
    151 Receiving Yards
  • Played For: Houston Oilers
  • College: Arkansas Tech
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 1960
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    AFL Champion (2) (Houston Oilers 1960 & 1961)
    First Team All-Pro (3) (1961, 1963 & 1964)
    AFL All-Star (5) (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 & 1965)
    Most Receptions (1) (1964*)
    Most Receiving Yards (2) (1961* & 1964*)
    Most Receiving Yards per Game (2) (1961* & 1964*)
    Most Yards from Scrimmage (2) (1961* & 1964*)
    Highest Approximate Value (1) (1961*)

    *AFL

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (2) (1961 & 1964)
    Top Ten Finishes: Receptions (5) (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 & 1965)
    Top Ten Finishes: Receiving Yards (5) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 & 1964)
    Top Ten Finishes: Receiving Touchdowns (5) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 & 1964)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Reception (3) (1960, 1961 & 1963)
    Top Ten Finishes: Receiving Yards per Game (5) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 & 1964)
    Top Ten Finishes: Touchdowns (4) (1961, 1962, 1963 & 1964)
    Top Ten Finishes: Points Scored (2) (1961 & 1963)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards from Scrimmage (3) (1961, 1963 & 1964)
    Top Ten Finishes: All-Purpose Yards (2) (1961 & 1964)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 23. Receiving Yards per Game
    79. Yards per Reception

Should Charlie Hennigan be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 66.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 22.2%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 5.6%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 5.6%
Last modified on Tuesday, 28 March 2023 00:03

Comments powered by CComment