Former Saints WR, TE Dave Parks dies at 77; remembered for 'speed, sure hands ... sharp elbows'
 

Dave Parks' position was never quite set in stone, but whether you remember him as a wide receiver or a tight end, his impact on the NFL was undeniable.

The College Football Hall of Famer and former Saints tight end and wide receiver died this week at age 77. Parks passed away Thursday at his Austin, Texas, according to a report from Texas Tech, not far from where he became a star for the Red Raiders.

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Parks was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. He set multiple receiving records at Texas Tech, even taking his turns on defense. His 98-yard interception return touchdown in 1962 still stands as the longest in school history.

Parks played his first three seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, where he was selected to three pro bowls. In 1965 Parks' 80 receptions, 1,344 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns led the NFL in all three categories.

"Whenever the ball's in the air you gotta catch it, you can't be worried about getting hit," Parks said in the NFL Films segment.

Parks went on to sign with the Saints in 1968 for a reported salary of $60,000, a year after they were added as an NFL expansion team. He played five seasons in New Orleans, where his role shifted to tight end. He accounted for 149 catches, 2,254 yards and 16 touchdowns in that five-year span.

In 1964 Parks became the first-ever player listed at wide receiver to be drafted No. 1 overall in the NFL draft. Only two other players, Irving Fryar and Keyshawn Johnson, have gone No. 1 overall as receivers.

Re: Former Saints WR, TE Dave Parks dies at 77; remembered for 'speed, sure hands ... sharp elbows'
 

R.I.P.

Re: Former Saints WR, TE Dave Parks dies at 77; remembered for 'speed, sure hands ... sharp elbows'
 

RIP our friend.

Re: Former Saints WR, TE Dave Parks dies at 77; remembered for 'speed, sure hands ... sharp elbows'
 

Pure stud on the field. Nfl took 2 no#1 draft picks from us for him. Rules were different back then.

Re: Former Saints WR, TE Dave Parks dies at 77; remembered for 'speed, sure hands ... sharp elbows'