John Gilliam
A second round draft pick, rookie Gilliam had a couple of key moments in that inaugural New Orleans Saints season of 1967 in addition to the opening kick touchdown. Against Philadelphia, the first ever win in Saints History, he had a 57-yard kickoff return to silence a late Eagles rally. In the second victory against the Atlanta Falcons he hauled in a 34-yard pass from Billy Kilmer on the game’s winning drive. In 1969 he was traded to St. Louis and then joined the Vikings in 1972 where he made 4 Pro Bowls. He ended his 10-year career back in New Orleans wanting to retire as a Saint.
After his time with the Saints Gilliam joined the Cardinals and spent 3 seasons there. He put rather impressive numbers averaging 20.0 yards a catch with almost 2800 yards and 17 touchdowns.
After his time with St. Louis he joined the Minnesota Vikings in 1972 and became an immediate threat to opposing defenses. Teaming up with Hall of Fame Quarterback Fran Tarkington Gilliam managed 4 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. His numbers as a Viking – 165 catches – 3297 yards – 20.0 yard average and 27 touchdowns. He also scored 1 touchdown rushing, a 44-yard run against the Eagles in 1973.
Image Gallery of Wide Receiver/Kick Returner John Gilliam
Football Cards
John Gilliam All-Time Career Statistics
| Year | Age | Team | # | Games | Catches | Yards | Y/R | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | 22 | NOR | 42 | 13 | 22 | 264 | 12.0 | 35 | 1 |
| 1968 | 23 | NOR | 42 | 14 | 24 | 284 | 11.8 | 39 | 0 |
| 1969 | 24 | STL | 44 | 14 | 52 | 997 | 19.2 | 84 | 9 |
| 1970 | 25 | STL | 44 | 14 | 45 | 952 | 21.2 | 79 | 5 |
| 1971 | 26 | STL | 44 | 14 | 42 | 837 | 19.9 | 54 | 3 |
| 1972* | 27 | MIN | 42 | 14 | 47 | 1035 | 22.0 | 66 | 7 |
| 1973* | 28 | MIN | 42 | 14 | 42 | 907 | 21.6 | 54 | 8 |
| 1974* | 29 | MIN | 42 | 14 | 26 | 578 | 22.2 | 80 | 5 |
| 1975* | 30 | MIN | 42 | 14 | 50 | 777 | 15.5 | 46 | 7 |
| 1976 | 31 | ATL | 42 | 14 | 21 | 292 | 13.9 | 49 | 2 |
| 1977 | 32 | 2 Teams | 12 | 11 | 133 | 12.1 | 23 | 1 | |
| CHI | 82 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| NOR | 41 | 10 | 11 | 133 | 12.1 | 23 | 1 | ||
| 4 Years | Vikings | 56 | 165 | 3297 | 20.0 | 80 | 27 | ||
| 3 Years | Saints | 37 | 57 | 681 | 11.9 | 39 | 2 | ||
| 3 Years | Cardinals | 42 | 139 | 2786 | 20.0 | 84 | 17 | ||
| 1 Year | Falcons | 14 | 21 | 292 | 13.9 | 49 | 2 | ||
| 2 Games | Bears | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| 11 Years | NFL | 151 | 382 | 7056 | 18.5 | 84 | 48 |
| Year | Age | Team | Games | Catches | Yds | Y/R | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973* | 28 | MIN | 3 | 8 | 143 | 17.9 | 54 | 3 |
| 1974* | 29 | MIN | 3 | 5 | 103 | 20.6 | 38 | 2 |
| 1975* | 30 | MIN | 1 | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 |
| Total | Post Season | 7 | 14 | 261 | 18.6 | 54 | 5 |
| Â | Punt Returns | Kick Returns | All-PurposeYards | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Age | Team | # | Games | Returns | Yards | Long | Y/R | TD | Rt | Yds | Lng | Y/Rt | TD | |
| 1967 | 22 | NOR | 42 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 1.9 | 0 | 16 | 481 | 94 | 30.1 | 1 | 799 |
| 1968 | 23 | NOR | 42 | 14 | 15 | 60 | 21 | 4.0 | 0 | 15 | 328 | 48 | 21.9 | 0 | 708 |
| 1969 | 24 | STL | 44 | 14 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | 11 | 339 | 100 | 30.8 | 1 | 1332 |
| 1970 | 25 | STL | 44 | 14 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | 5 | 107 | 26 | 21.4 | 0 | 1127 |
| 1971 | 26 | STL | 44 | 14 | 1 | 21 | 21 | 21.0 | 0 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | 874 |
| 1972* | 27 | MIN | 42 | 14 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | 14 | 369 | 47 | 26.4 | 0 | 1431 |
| 1973* | 28 | MIN | 42 | 14 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | 10 | 174 | 29 | 17.4 | 0 | 1152 |
| 1974* | 29 | MIN | 42 | 14 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | 3 | 86 | 31 | 28.7 | 0 | 680 |
| 4 Years | Â | Vikings | Â | 56 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | 27 | 629 | 47 | 23.3 | 0 | 4075 |
| 3 Years | Â | Saints | Â | 37 | 22 | 73 | 21 | 3.3 | 0 | 31 | 809 | 94 | 26.1 | 1 | 1640 |
| 3 Years | Â | Cardinals | Â | 42 | 1 | 21 | 21 | 21.0 | 0 | 16 | 446 | 100 | 27.9 | 1 | 3333 |
| 1 Year | Â | Falcons | Â | 14 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | 292 |
| 2 Games | Â | Bears | Â | 2 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | Â | Â | Â | Â | 0 | 0 |
| 11 Years | Â | NFL | Â | 151 | 23 | 94 | 21 | 4.1 | 0 | 74 | 1884 | 100 | 25.5 | 2 | 9340 |
- * – Pro Bowl Selection
- ♦ – Led the League
For some good additional reading:
More Great Wide Receivers from Classic NFL History!
Saints, Cardinals & Vikings from NFL History!
John Gilliam was a favorite of mine as young Vikings fan in 1974. I remember he had great speed and hands, Gilliam was also playing with a chip on his shoulder. He was tough and he let DB’s know vwhen he scored and it was #42 who beat them. Tremendous receiver. I thought Gilliam and Jim Lash were tremendously gifted and since the Vikings threw so often to their RB’s, I believe his numbers could have been much better. He should be seriously considered for the HOF.