WARFIELD, PAUL

born Nov. 28, 1942, Warren, Ohio, U.S. black American collegiate and professional football player who distinguished himself as an outstanding wide receiver. Warfield was an accomplished high school athlete who refused invitations to play professional baseball upon graduation. He instead enrolled at Ohio State University to play football as an offensive and defensive back from 1961 to 1963. He was recognized as one of the nation's best collegiate players when he was named All-American in 1963. In 1964 Warfield graduated from Ohio State University and became the first-round draft choice for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). In his rookie season he led the league with 52 receptions. As a member of the Browns from 1964 to 1969, Warfield appeared in four NFL championship games (1964, 1965, 1968, 1969). In 1968 he accumulated single-season highs of 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns and was named All-NFL. In 1970 Warfield was traded to the Miami Dolphins, which became a dominant team in the early '70s. In 1971 he led the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions, despite having caught only 43 passes. Warfield played with the Dolphins in the Super Bowl three years in a row (1972-74), with victories over the Washington Redskins in 1973 and the Minnesota Vikings in 1974. During the undefeated Dolphins' 1972-73 championship season, he averaged 20.9 yards per catch. After the 1974 season Warfield left Miami to play for the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League, which disbanded in October 1975, about midway into its second season. He then returned to the Cleveland Browns, retiring from football after the 1977 season. In his 13-year NFL career, Warfield caught 427 passes for 8,565 yards, averaging an impressive 20.1 yards per catch. He also scored 85 touchdowns and had a rushing average of 9.3 yards. Warfield was named All-Pro five times and played in several Pro Bowls. In 1983 he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.