James Lofton
James Lofton (born July 5, 1956) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, renowned for his speed, durability, and record-setting receiving yardage.[1] Born in Fort Ord, California, Lofton excelled as a track and field athlete and football player at Stanford University, where he earned All-America honors in the long jump before being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round (sixth overall) of the 1978 NFL Draft.[1][2] Lofton spent the first nine years of his career with the Packers (1978–1986), establishing himself as one of the league's premier deep threats with explosive plays, including multiple seasons leading the NFL in receiving yards.[1][3] He later played for the Los Angeles Raiders (1987–1988), Buffalo Bills (1989–1992), Los Angeles Rams (1993), and Philadelphia Eagles (1993), appearing in 233 games and contributing to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances with the Bills.[1] Career statistics highlight his productivity: 764 receptions for 14,004 yards (an NFL record at retirement) and 75 touchdowns, with an average of 18.3 yards per catch and 43 games of 100 or more receiving yards (third all-time at the time).[1] Lofton earned eight Pro Bowl selections (1979, 1981–1986, 1992) and four first-team All-Pro honors (1980, 1981, 1983, 1984), and he achieved several milestones, including becoming the first NFL player to score a touchdown in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, as well as the oldest player (age 35) to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season (1991).[1] Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2003, Lofton transitioned into coaching roles as an NFL assistant with the Chargers and Raiders before becoming a respected color analyst for Westwood One's NFL radio broadcasts, and later with CBS Sports and the Packers Television Network.[1][4][5][6][7]Early life and education
Family background
James David Lofton was born on July 5, 1956, at Fort Ord, a United States Army installation on the central California coast, to Emmanuel Michael Lofton Sr., a career Army officer who had served in World War II, and his wife, Violet.[8][9][1] His father's military service led to frequent family relocations during Lofton's early childhood, exposing him to diverse environments before the family settled in Los Angeles in 1964 following his father's retirement from the Army as a colonel.[8][10] Lofton's parents divorced when he was around seven or eight years old, after which his mother left the family, resulting in limited contact with her until he was 19; he was thereafter raised primarily by his single father in a middle-class neighborhood near the Forum in Los Angeles.[8][10] As the youngest of four siblings, Lofton grew up alongside his older brother Michael, who introduced him to football's physical demands, and two sisters, Angelica and Sapphire, who provided additional familial support in the absence of their mother.[10][1][8] His father's own athletic background as a multisport standout at Prairie View A&M University—competing in football, basketball, and track and field, where he excelled as a long jumper—fostered Lofton's early interest in sports through encouragement and participation in youth activities like flag football and Pop Warner leagues starting at age 12.[8][1] The Lofton household placed a strong emphasis on discipline, goal-setting, and education, with his father attending all of his games and meets while pushing him to balance athletics with academic pursuits, values that profoundly influenced his development.[1][8]High school athletics
James Lofton attended George Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles, California, where he participated in both football and track and field from 1970 to 1974.[10][11] In football, Lofton played as a quarterback and safety, showcasing his versatility and athleticism during his high school career; as a senior in 1973, he helped lead the Generals to a 4-4 record in the competitive Southern Section's Southern League.[12] His speed and skills on the field, combined with his track background, highlighted his potential as a multi-sport athlete. Lofton's standout performances came in track and field, where he competed as a sprinter and long jumper. In 1974, he won the CIF California State Meet long jump championship with a mark of 24 feet 3.5 inches, securing first place at the state finals held at Berkeley's Edwards Stadium.[13][14] He also contributed to the 4x400-meter relay team that placed sixth at the same meet with a time of 3:18.7.[15] These high school accomplishments, particularly his explosive speed and jumping ability, drew interest from college programs and paved the way for his recruitment to Stanford University, where his track talents would further shine alongside football.[8]College career
Stanford football
Lofton enrolled at Stanford University in 1974, where he majored in industrial engineering and graduated in 1978.[1] As a freshman that year, he played on the junior varsity team, leading the undefeated squad as the primary deep threat.[16] His track background from high school, where he excelled in sprints and jumps, contributed to his exceptional speed on the football field.[1] Lofton transitioned to the varsity team in 1975 as a wide receiver under coach Bill Walsh, earning three letters over his collegiate career from 1975 to 1977.[17] Though he had limited production early on—with just 3 receptions for 74 yards as a sophomore in 1975 and 12 for 211 yards as a junior in 1976—his role expanded significantly in his senior year.[17] Over his three varsity seasons, he accumulated 72 receptions for 1,295 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 18.0 yards per catch (including postseason).[17]) In 1977, Lofton's breakout performance helped propel Stanford to a 9-3 record and a berth in the Sun Bowl.[18] He recorded 57 receptions for 1,010 yards and 14 touchdowns (including postseason), leading the Pac-8 Conference in receptions and receiving yards, and the NCAA in receiving touchdowns that season (regular season).[19]) Key contributions included a 12-catch, 192-yard effort against Washington, setting a Stanford single-game receptions record at the time, and a 49-yard touchdown reception in the Sun Bowl victory over LSU (24-14).[1][20] For his efforts, Lofton earned first-team All-Pac-8 honors, was recognized as a consensus All-American, and an Academic All-American.[1][17][21]Track and field
During his time at Stanford University from 1975 to 1978, James Lofton competed in Pac-8 Conference track and field meets, specializing in sprinting events like the 100-meter dash and field events such as the long jump.[22] His personal best in the 100-meter dash was 10.54 seconds, achieved in 1978 and ranking as the fourth-fastest time in Stanford history at the time.[23] In the long jump, Lofton consistently exceeded 25 feet, with notable performances including a 25-foot 9½-inch leap to secure the Pac-8 title in 1976 and a wind-aided 26-foot 4¾-inch jump for the conference championship in 1977.[22] Lofton's track prowess peaked in 1977 and 1978, when he earned All-American honors in the long jump for his strong showings at national competitions. He advanced through the NCAA West Regional championships those years, culminating in a national title win at the 1978 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where he recorded a wind-aided personal best of 27 feet 0 inches (8.23 meters).[24] This performance not only highlighted his explosive speed and technique but also established a Stanford record that stood for decades.[25] Balancing the demands of Stanford's football and track programs, Lofton maintained rigorous training regimens, including offseason workouts that enhanced his agility for both sports.[26] His track speed directly contributed to his effectiveness as a wide receiver, allowing him to outrun defenders on deep routes.NFL playing career
Green Bay Packers
James Lofton was selected by the Green Bay Packers as the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 1978 NFL Draft out of Stanford University.[27] His exceptional speed, honed from a standout track and field career in college where he won the NCAA long jump championship, immediately translated to the professional level, making him a formidable deep threat for the Packers' offense.[1] In his rookie season, Lofton recorded 46 receptions for 818 yards and six touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection and helping establish him as a key component of Green Bay's passing attack.[27][28] Over nine seasons with the Packers from 1978 to 1986, Lofton amassed 530 receptions for 9,656 yards and 49 touchdowns, solidifying his role as one of the league's premier wide receivers.[27] He led the team in receiving yards in eight of those seasons and was selected to seven Pro Bowls during this period (1978, 1980–1985), showcasing his consistency and impact.[28] Lofton's peak years came in the mid-1980s, where he demonstrated elite efficiency; in 1983, he averaged a league-high 22.4 yards per catch with 1,300 yards on 58 receptions, and in 1984, he again topped the NFL with 22.0 yards per reception while gaining 1,361 yards on 62 catches.[1][28] One of Lofton's most memorable plays occurred on September 20, 1982, against the New York Giants, when he took a reverse handoff and sprinted 83 yards for a touchdown—the longest rushing play of his career and a highlight of Green Bay's 27-19 victory.[29] His ability to stretch the field and create big plays was central to the Packers' offensive strategy under quarterbacks like Lynn Dickey, contributing to the team's playoff appearances in 1982 and 1985.[1]Later teams
In 1987, Lofton was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Los Angeles Raiders in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 1988 NFL Draft.[30] Over two seasons with the Raiders, he appeared in 28 games, recording 69 receptions for 1,429 yards and five touchdowns, serving as a reliable deep threat despite the team's struggles, finishing 5-10 in 1987 and 7-9 in 1988.[27] The Raiders did not qualify for the playoffs during his tenure there.[31] Released by the Raiders following the 1988 season, Lofton signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills in September 1989 to bolster their receiving corps with veteran experience.[32] From 1989 to 1992, he played in 59 games for the Bills, accumulating 151 receptions for 2,736 yards and 21 touchdowns, reemerging as a premier deep-threat receiver in an offense led by quarterback Jim Kelly.[27] His contributions were particularly notable in the postseason, where he helped Buffalo reach four consecutive AFC Championships and three Super Bowls (XXV, XXVI, and XXVII), catching 33 passes for 598 yards and six touchdowns across 11 playoff games during that span.[27] In Super Bowl XXVI, for instance, Lofton led the Bills in receptions with seven for 92 yards.[33] Lofton's final NFL season came in 1993 after being released by the Bills during training camp; he briefly signed with the Los Angeles Rams in September, appearing in one game and recording one reception for 16 yards before being waived in mid-October.[27][34] He then joined the Philadelphia Eagles on October 20, playing in nine games with 13 receptions for 167 yards, providing depth at wide receiver late in his career.[27][35] Lofton retired at the end of the 1993 season at age 37.[1]Key achievements
James Lofton stands as the first NFL player to record touchdown receptions in three different decades, achieving this milestone with scores in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s during his 16-season career, which concluded with a total of 75 receiving touchdowns.[1][4] His scoring prowess was particularly notable for long-distance plays, as many of these touchdowns came on receptions of 50 yards or more, showcasing his speed and ability to stretch the field.[1] In 1983 and 1984, Lofton led the NFL in receiving yards per catch, averaging an impressive 22.4 yards in the former season and 22.0 yards in the latter, while accumulating 1,300 and 1,361 receiving yards respectively.[36][27] These performances earned him All-Pro recognition four times—first-team honors in 1981 and second-team selections in 1980, 1982, and 1983—highlighting his dominance as a deep threat among wide receivers of his era.[4][27] Lofton's exceptional durability was a hallmark of his career, as he never missed a regular-season game due to injury during his nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers, starting all 137 contests and establishing himself as one of the league's most reliable players.[28] This ironman streak underscored his physical resilience and contributed to his consistent production across teams, including key roles in the Buffalo Bills' playoff runs during the early 1990s.[37]Post-playing career
Coaching roles
After retiring from his playing career, James Lofton entered NFL coaching in 2002 as the wide receivers coach for the San Diego Chargers, leveraging his Hall of Fame experience to guide the position group.[38] He served in the role from 2002 to 2007, a period during which the Chargers advanced to the playoffs four times (2004–2007), including earning the AFC's top seed in 2006 but losing in the Divisional Round that year.[39] Lofton's tenure coincided with the maturation of the team's passing attack, as he worked with veterans like Eric Parker and Keenan McCardell while contributing to the early development of promising talents such as Vincent Jackson, who recorded 68 receptions for 1,165 yards and nine touchdowns over the 2006 and 2007 seasons combined.[40] In February 2008, shortly after his release from the Chargers, Lofton was hired by the Oakland Raiders to serve as their wide receivers coach, reuniting him with the franchise where he had played from 1987 to 1988.[41] During his one season with the Raiders in 2008, he focused on improving the unit's performance amid a transitional period for the team, which finished 4-12; notable players under his guidance included Javon Walker and rookie Chaz Schilens.[4] Lofton was let go by the Raiders in January 2009 as part of a staff overhaul under new head coach Tom Cable.[42] Lofton's coaching emphasized technical precision and route-running fundamentals drawn from his own 16-year playing career, where he amassed over 14,000 receiving yards and 75 touchdowns, aiding in the professional growth of wideouts across both franchises.[6]Broadcasting work
After retiring from the NFL in 1993, Lofton transitioned into broadcasting, beginning with NBC Sports in 1997 as a game analyst for their NFL coverage, where he provided color commentary alongside play-by-play announcers during the regular season.[43] He later moved to radio, serving as a color analyst and sideline reporter for Westwood One's NFL broadcasts from 1999 to 2001.[44] Lofton returned to Westwood One in 2009, taking on the role of lead game analyst for their Sunday Night Football radio coverage through 2023, often partnering with play-by-play voices like Dave Sims and Kevin Kugler.[45] In this capacity, he contributed to Super Bowl radio broadcasts, including sideline reporting for Super Bowl XLV in 2011 and other editions, offering real-time insights from the field.[46] His coaching experience from stints with teams like the San Diego Chargers informed his analytical style, allowing him to break down offensive strategies with practical depth.[44] In May 2017, Lofton joined CBS Sports as a lead game analyst for The NFL on CBS, serving until 2024 and working primarily on regional and select national telecasts.[44] He frequently paired with play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan, including for Green Bay Packers preseason games on the Packers TV Network starting in 2018, as well as with other booths like those led by Andrew Catalon and Tom McCarthy during the regular season.[7] Lofton's tenure with CBS extended to playoff coverage, and he participated in Super Bowl pregame and analysis segments when the network held broadcast rights, such as for Super Bowl LV in 2021.[6] As of 2025, Lofton has not announced a new professional role in football broadcasting or coaching.Career statistics
Regular season
James Lofton played in 233 regular-season games over 16 NFL seasons from 1978 to 1993, establishing himself as one of the league's premier wide receivers with consistent production across multiple teams.[27] His career totals include 764 receptions for 14,004 yards, averaging 18.3 yards per catch, and 75 receiving touchdowns.[27] Lofton's advanced metrics highlight his efficiency, with an average of 60.1 receiving yards per game, reflecting his deep-threat ability and impact despite varying roles later in his career.[27] Lofton's regular-season performance peaked during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers from 1978 to 1986, where he earned seven Pro Bowl selections tied to his standout statistical outputs.[27] In 1983, he recorded 58 receptions for 1,300 yards and 8 touchdowns, showcasing his speed and route-running prowess en route to a Pro Bowl nod.[27] His 1984 season was even more dominant, with 62 catches for 1,361 yards (22.0 average) and 7 touchdowns, again earning Pro Bowl honors and underscoring his role as a primary offensive weapon.[27] After moving to other teams, Lofton maintained solid contributions, including an eighth Pro Bowl appearance in 1991 with the Buffalo Bills, where he amassed 57 receptions for 1,072 yards and 8 touchdowns.[27] The following table summarizes his year-by-year regular-season receiving statistics:| Year | Team | GP | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | GNB | 16 | 46 | 818 | 17.8 | 6 |
| 1979 | GNB | 16 | 54 | 968 | 17.9 | 4 |
| 1980 | GNB | 16 | 71 | 1,226 | 17.3 | 4 |
| 1981 | GNB | 16 | 71 | 1,294 | 18.2 | 8 |
| 1982 | GNB | 9 | 35 | 696 | 19.9 | 4 |
| 1983 | GNB | 16 | 58 | 1,300 | 22.4 | 8 |
| 1984 | GNB | 16 | 62 | 1,361 | 22.0 | 7 |
| 1985 | GNB | 16 | 69 | 1,153 | 16.7 | 4 |
| 1986 | GNB | 15 | 64 | 840 | 13.1 | 4 |
| 1987 | RAI | 12 | 41 | 880 | 21.5 | 5 |
| 1988 | RAI | 16 | 28 | 549 | 19.6 | 0 |
| 1989 | BUF | 12 | 8 | 166 | 20.8 | 3 |
| 1990 | BUF | 16 | 35 | 712 | 20.3 | 4 |
| 1991 | BUF | 15 | 57 | 1,072 | 18.8 | 8 |
| 1992 | BUF | 16 | 51 | 786 | 15.4 | 6 |
| 1993 | 2TM | 10 | 14 | 183 | 13.1 | 0 |
| Career | - | 233 | 764 | 14,004 | 18.3 | 75 |