RIP Raymond Berry

[DaBruinz]

RIP, Coach Berry.. Condolences to his family .

 

[cupofjoe1962]

I met Raymond Berry the Thursday after we lost to the bears in the superbowl

I was at Dedham Cinema & my girlfriend was buying snacks & I was waiting when Raymond Berry walked in with his wife

His wife was buying the tickets & Raymond must have seen me looking at him, because he walked right up to me, said Hi I am Raymond & he shook my hand. Shortly after that, his wife walked up & he introduced me to his wife.

My girlfriend then walked up & I introduced her to the Berry’s. She asked them if they knew me & they said, they just met me with a smile

I then said…. This is the coach of the Patriots Raymond Berry.

She replied…. You mean Berry the Bears
The Berrys laughed & we walked into the cinema & watched “out of Africa”.

A side note….. that exgirlfriend ended up marrying a guy whose last name was Berry….

 

[Triumph]

Glad that he got to see the Pats dynasty and 6 Lombardi's.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

That 1985 team may have gotten destroyed against the Bears, but they provided some of the most exciting playoff games I have ever watched. I thank whatever fans had the tech and the foresight to preserve those games and upload them to YouTube for posterity.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I met Raymond by accident the year after they went to the SB.
We talked for about a half hour. A little about football but mostly about other things.
Raymond was a genuine good guy. He was as down to earth as you can get. He was very intelligent.
I was so pissed when the Sullivan's fired Raymond.
I'm sad to hear of his passing, but happy that he had a long and full life.
RIP Raymond, I'll never forget our conversation.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Unitas to berry at the sideline, ball thrown out of bounds, Berry reaching out catching it and dragging his toes inbounds for a catch. Indefensible. They practiced that play in the dark, Don Shinnick, Colt linebacker and my neighbor told me. The memories of my youth. Now 19 has 82 to throw to in heaven.

God bless…

 

[Boogs]

It's sad to hear this. Raymond Berry actually held me when I was a baby when my parents met him.

 

[FortressX]

RIP Coach.

He didn't "Berry the Bears", but he did thrash the JETE in JETEland with overhyped Gastineau in the playoffs

 

[stephens44]

He was the coach when I became a fan. RIP to a NFL legend

Same.

 

[jmt57]

Raymond Berry | Pro Football Hall of Fame

*Raymond Emmett Berry*. . .Formed exceptional pass-catch team with Johnny Unitas. . .Caught then-record 631 passes for 9,275 yards, 68 touchdowns. . .All-NFL in 1958, 1959, 1960. . .Elected to six Pro Bowl games. . .Set NFL title game mark with 12 catches for 178 yards in 1958 overtime game. ...

www.profootballhof.com

The Raymond Berry story is one of determination, dedication and desire. Berry, who needed to wear special shoes because one leg was shorter than the other, didn’t become a starter on his high school football team until his senior year – even though his father was the coach.​

As an end for Southern Methodist, he caught all of 33 passes in three seasons. Why the Baltimore Colts selected him, even as a “future choice” on the 20th round of the 1954 draft, is a mystery. A long shot to make the Colts, Berry was determined. He practiced and practiced, catching passes from anyone willing to throw to him. He concentrated on making the difficult catch and running perfect patterns.​

Although he had just average speed, he developed, by his own count, 88 different moves to get open. He ran patterns within inches of how they were diagramed. In 1956, Johnny Unitas became the Colts’ quarterback and Raymond was ready to put all his hours of practice to use. Together the two gave the Baltimore Colts one of the greatest pass-catch teams of all time. Three straight times Raymond led the league in receptions and caught a then-record 631 passes for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns in his 13-year career.​

A first- or second-team All-Pro choice in 1957 through 1961 and again in 1965, he was selected to play in six Pro Bowl games during his career. A sure-handed receiver, Raymond fumbled only once in 13 years. Perhaps his greatest moment came in the famous overtime 1958 NFL Championship Game. He set a then-record with 12 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown. Several of his grabs came in the Colts’ life-or-death, last-minute drive to the tying field goal. In the overtime period, two receptions good for 33 yards were the major gains in Baltimore’s drive for the winning score.​

 

[Triumph]

He was a Stud WR.

Back in those times teams ran the ball. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BerrRa00.htm

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Raymond Berry | Pro Football Hall of Fame

*Raymond Emmett Berry*. . .Formed exceptional pass-catch team with Johnny Unitas. . .Caught then-record 631 passes for 9,275 yards, 68 touchdowns. . .All-NFL in 1958, 1959, 1960. . .Elected to six Pro Bowl games. . .Set NFL title game mark with 12 catches for 178 yards in 1958 overtime game. ...

www.profootballhof.com

The Raymond Berry story is one of determination, dedication and desire. Berry, who needed to wear special shoes because one leg was shorter than the other, didn’t become a starter on his high school football team until his senior year – even though his father was the coach.​

As an end for Southern Methodist, he caught all of 33 passes in three seasons. Why the Baltimore Colts selected him, even as a “future choice” on the 20th round of the 1954 draft, is a mystery. A long shot to make the Colts, Berry was determined. He practiced and practiced, catching passes from anyone willing to throw to him. He concentrated on making the difficult catch and running perfect patterns.​

Although he had just average speed, he developed, by his own count, 88 different moves to get open. He ran patterns within inches of how they were diagramed. In 1956, Johnny Unitas became the Colts’ quarterback and Raymond was ready to put all his hours of practice to use. Together the two gave the Baltimore Colts one of the greatest pass-catch teams of all time. Three straight times Raymond led the league in receptions and caught a then-record 631 passes for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns in his 13-year career.​

A first- or second-team All-Pro choice in 1957 through 1961 and again in 1965, he was selected to play in six Pro Bowl games during his career. A sure-handed receiver, Raymond fumbled only once in 13 years. Perhaps his greatest moment came in the famous overtime 1958 NFL Championship Game. He set a then-record with 12 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown. Several of his grabs came in the Colts’ life-or-death, last-minute drive to the tying field goal. In the overtime period, two receptions good for 33 yards were the major gains in Baltimore’s drive for the winning score.​

The Mosi flea-flicker vs. the Dolphins is one of the greatest plays - and calls - in franchise history.

Down two scores in the fourth quarter to the defending conference champions, the Patriots needed every win they could get to put themselves in playoff contention, a place where, like so many times in their history, no one including themselves expected them to be.

On fourth and one at the Dolphins' 28 yard line, Grogan walked up to the line, called timeout and went to the sideline.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

"It's the perfect time for it," Coach Berry answered, and he was right.

The packed Sullivan Stadium and myself at home watching knew this was a, if not the, pivotal moment in the game, in our season, and really in our history.

The TV announcer was caught off guard, but when Tatupu turned and tossed the ball back to Steve, I said, "Great call. Even if it doesn't work, this is the right call."

Then, we proceeded to see Grogs loft the ball up and little known and used ex-Steeler Greg Hawthorne reach back and grab it away from William Judson (a clutch player himself) in the end zone for the touchdown to keep us within reach and change the complexion of the game. Steve later scored the winning touchdown himself, as he had vs. the Jets weeks before in front of another sold out home crowd, and the Patriots' season again showed more of the incremental promise since Grogan creaked onto the field after Tony got knocked out to lead us back over rookie Bruce Smith and the Bills, also at home.

Miami did not lose another game until the fateful and historic AFCCG at the Orange Bowl in January, the Patriots' first appearance because they were robbed of playing in Pittsburgh nine years before.

Coach Berry deserved being carried off the field that night as much as any coach ever did. Of course, it's wrong and ridiculous that he's not in the team's so-called Hall of Fame.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I met Raymond by accident the year after they went to the SB.
We talked for about a half hour. A little about football but mostly about other things.
Raymond was a genuine good guy. He was as down to earth as you can get. He was very intelligent.
I was so pissed when the Sullivan's fired Raymond.
I'm sad to hear of his passing, but happy that he had a long and full life.
RIP Raymond, I'll never forget our conversation.

Actually it was Kiam who couldn't reach an agreement with Raymond over personnel authority I think. It's weird that Pat Sullivan, who hired Berry who was working in a sporting goods store, would let him go.

In any case, Pat obviously didn't think any more of Flutie than Raymond did.

 

[turkeyneck]

...

Although he had just average speed, he developed, by his own count, 88 different moves to get open. He ran patterns within inches of how they were diagramed. In 1956, Johnny Unitas became the Colts’ quarterback and Raymond was ready to put all his hours of practice to use. Together the two gave the Baltimore Colts one of the greatest pass-catch teams of all time. Three straight times Raymond led the league in receptions and caught a then-record 631 passes for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns in his 13-year career.​

...

​

Efton Chism, this could be your future.

 

[DoubleDeezNH]

For anyone who hasn't seen this:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48938330/hall-fame-receiver-nfl-coach-raymond-berry-dies-93

He coached the first football game I ever remember watching as a child. Super Bowl XX where they got DEMOLISHED by the Bears. RIP.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Efton Chism, this could be your future.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

The Mosi flea-flicker vs. the Dolphins is one of the greatest plays - and calls - in franchise history.

Down two scores in the fourth quarter to the defending conference champions, the Patriots needed every win they could get to put themselves in playoff contention, a place where, like so many times in their history, no one including themselves expected them to be.

On fourth and one at the Dolphins' 28 yard line, Grogan walked up to the line, called timeout and went to the sideline.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

"It's the perfect time for it," Coach Berry answered, and he was right.

The packed Sullivan Stadium and myself at home watching knew this was a, if not the, pivotal moment in the game, in our season, and really in our history.

The TV announcer was caught off guard, but when Tatupu turned and tossed the ball back to Steve, I said, "Great call. Even if it doesn't work, this is the right call."

Then, we proceeded to see Grogs loft the ball up and little known and used ex-Steeler Greg Hawthorne reach back and grab it away from William Judson (a clutch player himself) in the end zone for the touchdown to keep us within reach and change the complexion of the game. Steve later scored the winning touchdown himself, as he had vs. the Jets weeks before in front of another sold out home crowd, and the Patriots' season again showed more of the incremental promise since Grogan creaked onto the field after Tony got knocked out to lead us back over rookie Bruce Smith and the Bills, also at home.

Miami did not lose another game until the fateful and historic AFCCG at the Orange Bowl in January, the Patriots' first appearance because they were robbed of playing in Pittsburgh nine years before.

Coach Berry deserved being carried off the field that night as much as any coach ever did. Of course, it's wrong and ridiculous that he's not in the team's so-called Hall of Fame.

Couple of fun fact tidbits about this play, I think we lined up Steve "Big House" Moore in the backfield, as was becoming popular around the league that season.

In the huddle after the timeout, everyone looked at Greg and said, "You BETTER catch it."

Talk about pressure!!

That wound up being one of only four receiving touchdowns and 92 receptions in his entire career.

 

[NCPATSFAN1971]

I had all 3 playoff games and the 1985 SB against Chicago on tape. (I chucked the SB one.) I think the first playoff game against the Jets was the Patriots first playoff victory in the new combined AFC/NFC which was awesome! Then I remember when GM Pat Sullivan who was a relatively small guy getting into kind of a fight with Howie Long and Matt Millen after we beat Oakland and Millen hit Sullivan with his helmet causing a gash over his eye. Sullivan was like a Bantam Rooster against those two big defensive guys LOL. And who can forget "Squish The Fish" when the Patriots beat Miami in the final playoff game to go to the Super Bowl after losing 18 Straight Games to the Dolphins? That whole sequence is something I'll never forget.

Unfortunately we had to face Chicago in the SB who had one of the best defenses in NFL History but what a ride it was!!!!!!

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

I had all 3 playoff games and the 1985 SB against Chicago on tape. (I chucked the SB one.) I think the first playoff game against the Jets was the Patriots first playoff victory in the new combined AFC/NFC which was awesome! Then I remember when GM Pat Sullivan who was a relatively small guy getting into kind of a fight with Howie Long and Matt Millen after we beat Oakland and Millen hit Sullivan with his helmet causing a gash over his eye. Sullivan was like a Bantam Rooster against those two big defensive guys LOL. And who can forget "Squish The Fish" when the Patriots beat Miami in the final playoff game to go to the Super Bowl after losing 18 Straight Games to the Dolphins? That whole sequence is something I'll never forget.

Unfortunately we had to face Chicago in the SB who had one of the best defenses in NFL History but what a ride it was!!!!!!

Unfortunately, Matt apparently did not knock enough sense into Pat to bring Doug Flutie back in '90, and Pat ultimately lost his job for bungling the Lisa Olson mess.

I suppose someone's already written a book about it, but I could fill up a large tome just about the '85 season, including its prelude and aftermath.

I remember the team flying out to the coast the day before, and the players waking up in the morning in their Seattle hotel rooms to see the world outside covered in a fresh snowfall.

At the send-off rally before flying to Florida to prepare for the AFCCG, Julius Adams delivered the most memorable speech after being introduced which alone is enough to necessitate his induction into the team Hall of Fame:

"I just got one thing to say: We goin' down here, we gonna rip their faces off!!! Yeah!!!"

That wasn't the only inspirational talk from him. The players in that locker room can tell you.

 

[NCPATSFAN1971]

Unfortunately, Matt apparently did not knock enough sense into Pat to bring Doug Flutie back in '90, and Pat ultimately lost his job for bungling the Lisa Olson mess.

I suppose someone's already written a book about it, but I could fill up a large tome just about the '85 season, including its prelude and aftermath.

I remember the team flying out to the coast the day before, and the players waking up in the morning in their Seattle hotel rooms to see the world outside covered in a fresh snowfall.

At the send-off rally before flying to Florida to prepare for the AFCCG, Julius Adams delivered the most memorable speech after being introduced which alone is enough to necessitate his induction into the team Hall of Fame:

"I just got one thing to say: We goin' down here, we gonna rip their faces off!!! Yeah!!!"

That wasn't the only inspirational talk from him. The players in that locker room can tell you.

I liked Raymond Berry but I think he really liked Eason the best out of his QB's. I liked Grogan much better (Interceptions and all). I also think Berry also wanted Flutie to be a drop back passer and that was not his style. Flutie had the "It factor" and although he was relatively small for a QB, he proved he knew how to win whether it was at BC, Canada, or the NFL.

And they never should have let Flutie go. He was a fan favorite and maybe letting him go jinxed the whole team LOL. As you mentioned the Lisa Olson fiasco followed. I also remember Coach Rod Rust's 1 and 15 record and whose attitude made Bill Belichick seem like Mary Poppins. Then this was followed by Coach **** Macpherson who hugged everyone but was still 8 and 24 in 1991 and 1992.

So needless to say, we have paid some dues along the way for all the great times we've had as Patriot fans.