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| Harold Carmichael, pictured here with the Phildelphia Eagles, had a reception in 127 consecutive games. Source: AP, https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/2021/08/04/ harold-carmichael-pro-football-hall-fame- receiver-centennial-class-2020-philadelphia-eagles-canton/8026612002/ (May be subject to copyright) |
He was there when his Philadelphia Eagles went from being one of the league’s worst to the team’s first trip to the Super Bowl.
He was there when I started watching NFL football, and he was the first receiver who really caught my eye.
Only later did I discover how great Harold Carmichael was.
I was reminded of that time recently, when he represented the Eagles in bringing the Vince Lombardi trophy to the stadium in this year’s Super Bowl.
There from the start
I started watching NFL football in earnest in 1979. Since both CBC and CTV aired CFL football, there was no NFL football on Canadian TV – read here peasant vision – until the end of the Grey Cup. After that, CBC aired NFC games and CTV aired AFC games.
I started watching NFL football in earnest in 1979. Since both CBC and CTV aired CFL football, there was no NFL football on Canadian TV – read here peasant vision – until the end of the Grey Cup. After that, CBC aired NFC games and CTV aired AFC games.
Back then, I seemed to see one of two teams on CBC fairly often – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles. They even met in the playoffs in 1979.
I remember that Eagles team had a good defence, but it was the offence I really liked. They had a strong, tough, poised quarterback in Ron Jaworski, a solid runningback in Wilburt Montgomery, and a dependable receiver in Harold Carmichael who may have been one of the tallest receivers I ever saw.
After making the playoffs in 1978, the Eagles were back in 1979 as a Wild Card, then won their division, the NFC East, in 1980.
By the numbers
Harold Carmichael had established himself as one of the best, most consistent receivers as the 1980s started. In 1980, he established an NFL record by having at least one reception in 127 consecutive games. He also helped lead the Eagles to their first ever Super Bowl. Carmichael had five receptions for 83 yards in that Super Bowl.
Harold Carmichael had established himself as one of the best, most consistent receivers as the 1980s started. In 1980, he established an NFL record by having at least one reception in 127 consecutive games. He also helped lead the Eagles to their first ever Super Bowl. Carmichael had five receptions for 83 yards in that Super Bowl.
He had 48 receptions for 815 yards and nine touchdowns in 1980, on his way to his fourth and final Pro Bowl selection. The next season, 1981, he had 61 receptions for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns. It was his third and final 1,000-yard season. In 1982, he had 35 receptions for 540 yards and four touchdowns. Then, in his final season with the Eagles in 1983, he had 38 receptions for 515 yards and three touchdowns.
He was waived by the Eagles, and signed with their division rival, the Dallas Cowboys, where he played in two games in 1984, recording one catch for seven yards, and was cut in November.
Carmichael wound up his career with 590 receptions for 8,985 yards and 79 touchdowns.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Tears of joy
A few years ago, I bought a used copy of “The Professionals”, a movie by NFL Films that profiled a number of players and coaches who were unique for their professionalism. The list included Dick Butkus, Jim Marshall, Billy Kilmer, and former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil. The film talked about how Vermeil took over a team that was a perennial loser. He turned the team around, and they showed an interview with him after the Eagles secured the first winning season in a long time. Renowned for being so emotional he would come to tears, Vermeil was happy for all those players who were finally winners after all those years of losing. He mentioned Harold Carmichael by name.
A few years ago, I bought a used copy of “The Professionals”, a movie by NFL Films that profiled a number of players and coaches who were unique for their professionalism. The list included Dick Butkus, Jim Marshall, Billy Kilmer, and former Eagles coach Dick Vermeil. The film talked about how Vermeil took over a team that was a perennial loser. He turned the team around, and they showed an interview with him after the Eagles secured the first winning season in a long time. Renowned for being so emotional he would come to tears, Vermeil was happy for all those players who were finally winners after all those years of losing. He mentioned Harold Carmichael by name.
Parting thoughts
When I first started watching NFL football, Harold Carmichael was one of the receivers that just stood out, not just for catching the ball but for being such a large target.
When I first started watching NFL football, Harold Carmichael was one of the receivers that just stood out, not just for catching the ball but for being such a large target.
I hadn’t watched enough football to see how great he really was, much less that he would put up Hall of Fame numbers.
But what I will always remember was that streak, and how he had recorded at least one reception in so many straight games.
It just told me Harold Carmichael showed up every game, and he produced every game.
He was the model of consistency.
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