229. Rick Upchurch

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From the University of Minnesota, Rick Upchurch came to the Denver Broncos in 1975, and like many Wide Receivers, he was used as a returner as a rookie.  This was the role he primarily played in his first four seasons.  During that time, he was a Pro Bowler and a First Team All-Pro Selection twice and was regarded as the NFL's premier punt returner.

While still returning on a regular basis, he would be used more as a Wide Receiver from 1979 to 1983, peaking with a 64 Reception Season in 1979 and finishing with 267 receptions for 4,369 yards and 24 Touchdowns.  Upchurch went to his third Pro Bowl in 1979, with his fourth coming in 1982, coinciding with a third First Team All-Pro selection.  Upchurch would have another 3,008 Punt Return Yards, with eight of them going into the end zone.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Sunday, 01 January 1989
  • Position: Punt Returner, Wide Receiver
  • Games Played: 119
  • Notable Statistics: 69 Games Started
    267 Receptions
    4,369 Receiving Yards
    24 Receiving Touchdowns
    49 Rushing Attempts
    349 Rushing Yards
    3 Rushing Touchdowns
    248 Punt Returns
    3,008 Punt Return Yards
    8 Punt Return Touchdowns
    95 Kick Returns
    2,355 Kick Return Yards
    0 Pass Completions
    3 Pass Attempts
    53 Approximate Value

    5 Playoff Games
    1 Playoff Game Started
    1 Reception
    9 Receiving Yards
    1 Rushing Attempt
    3 Rushing Yards
    10 Punt Returns
    92 Punt Return Yards
    12 Kick Returns
    259 Kick Return Yards
  • Played For: Denver Broncos
  • College: Minnesota
  • Drafted: 4th Round, 95th Overall in 1975
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Rings (None)
    NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
    NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
    First Team All-Pro Selection (3) (1976, 1978 & 1982)
    Second Team All-Pro Selection (2) (1977 & 1979)
    Pro Bowl Selection (4) (1976, 1978, 1979 & 1982)
    All-Rookie (1975)
    Most Punt Return Yards (1) (1977)
    Most Yards per Punt Return (3) (1976, 1978 & 1982)
  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: Receptions (1) (1979)
    Top Ten Finishes: All-Purpose Yards (2) (1975 & 1976)
    Top Ten Finishes: Kick Returns (1) (1975)
    Top Ten Finishes: Kick Return Yards (1) (1975)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Kick Return (1) (1975)
    Top Ten Finishes: Punt Returns (5) (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 & 1980)
    Top Ten Finishes: Punt Return Yards (7) (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 & 1982)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Punt Return (6) (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 & 1982)
    Top Ten Finishes: Returns (3) (1975, 1976 & 1977)
    Top Ten Finishes: Return Yards (3) (1975, 1976 & 1977)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 5. Yards per Punt Return: 12.1
    11. Punt Return Yards: 3,008
    27. Punt Returns: 248
    44. Returns: 343
    54. Return Yards: 5,363
    81. Yards per Kick Return: 24.8
    86. Yards per Reception: 16.4
  • Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: None

Should Rick Upchurch be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 84.6%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 7.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 7.7%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
Last modified on Saturday, 26 September 2026 03:27
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