The long wait for Harold Carmichael is finally over.
Announced on NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Wednesday, Carmichael was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A brilliant career with the Eagles from 1971-83 was rewarded as Carmichael is part of the NFL's Centennial Slate of inductees, an expanded class of 20 new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, coinciding with the league's 100th season celebration.
It's about time.
"Congratulations to Harold Carmichael on being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said. "Our entire organization is so proud to see Harold earn this well-deserved honor. Harold revolutionized the wide receiver position and became one of the most productive players of his era and in the history of our franchise. He was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 1987 and his records will always rank among the all-time greats, but Harold's true contributions to our game extend far beyond his on-field accomplishments.
"Harold has served as a role model, mentor, and friend to so many during his four-plus decades in Philadelphia as a player, executive, and ambassador. He is a one-of-a-kind person who loves this organization, who loves this city and its fans, and who treats everyone with dignity and respect. We are excited to celebrate this honor with Harold and his family."
Anyone who saw Carmichael rise from a seventh-round draft pick from Southern University to become the Eagles' all-time leader in career receptions (589), receiving yards (5,879), and receiving touchdowns (79) knows that he put together an incredible resume at a time when defensive backs were permitted to physically engage receivers up and down the field.
It didn't matter to Carmichael, the 6-foot-8 pass-catching machine who starred during some lean Eagles seasons when defenses knew he was the only threat in the Philadelphia passing game. In 180 career Eagles games – including a franchise-record-tying 162 consecutive games – Carmichael delivered every week, and every season. Among his accomplishments …
• 4-time Pro Bowl Selection (1973, 1978, 1979, 1980)
• 3-time Second-Team All-Pro (1973, 1979, 1980)
• NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
• 1980 NFL Man of the Year
• Carmichael led all NFL wide receivers in receptions (549), receiving yards (8,414) and receiving TDs (77) from 1973-83. He was the only NFL player with 500+ receiving yards every season from 1973-83.
• From 1972-80, Carmichael set a then-NFL record with 127 consecutive games with a reception.
1. During the streak, Carmichael led the NFL in receptions (432) and receiving TDs (66) and ranked 2nd in receiving yards (6,590), trailing only Harold Jackson (6,641).
2. His 432 receptions were 39 more than the next closest players in that span: Reggie Rucker and Ahmad Rashad (393 each). His 66 receiving TDs were 9 more than the next closest player: Harold Jackson (57).
RECEPTIONS
During his career with the Eagles from 1971-83, Carmichael led the NFL with a franchise-record 589 receptions. In that span, his 589 receptions were 28 more than the next closest NFL player, Pro Football Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner (561).
| Most Receptions (NFL Players from 1971-83) | |
|---|---|
| Harold Carmichael | 589 |
| Charlie Joiner | 561 |
| Ahmad Rashad | 495 |
| Drew Pearson | 489 |
| Cliff Branch | 489 |
| Most Receptions (Eagles All-Time History) | |
|---|---|
| Harold Carmichael | 589 |
| Zach Ertz | 454 |
| Pete Retzlaff | 452 |
| Brian Westbrook | 426 |
| Brent Celek | 398 |
By the end of his Eagles career in 1983, Carmichael was tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff for the fifth-most receptions (589) in NFL history. The four players ahead of him on the list at the time – Charley Taylor, Don Maynard, Raymond Berry, and Charlie Joiner – are also all Pro Football Hall of Famers.
| Most Receptions (NFL History, as of 1983) | |
|---|---|
| Charley Taylor | 649 |
| Don Maynard | 633 |
| Raymond Berry | 631 |
| Charlie Joiner | 596 |
| Harold Carmichael | 589 |
| Fred Biletnikoff | 589 |
RECEIVING YARDS
During his career with the Eagles from 1971-83, Carmichael ranked second in the NFL with a franchise-record 8,978 receiving yards, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner (9,488).
| Most Receiving Yards (NFL Players from 1971-83) | |
|---|---|
| Charlie Joiner | 9,488 |
| Harold Carmichael | 8,978 |
| Harold Jackson | 8,643 |
| Cliff Branch | 8,284 |
| Drew Pearson | 7,822 |
| Most Receiving Yards (Eagles All-Time History) | |
|---|---|
| Harold Carmichael | 8,978 |
| Pete Retzlaff | 7,412 |
| Mike Quick | 6,464 |
| DeSean Jackson | 6,271 |
| Pete Pihos | 5,619 |
By the end of his Eagles career in 1983, Carmichael ranked seventh in NFL history with 8,978 receiving yards. Five of the six players ahead of him on the list at the time – Don Maynard, Lance Alworth, Charlie Joiner, Raymond Berry, and Charley Taylor – are also Pro Football Hall of Famers.
| Most Receiving Yards (NFL History, as of 1983) | |
|---|---|
| Don Maynard | 11,834 |
| Harold Jackson | 10,372 |
| Lance Alworth | 10,266 |
| Charlie Joiner | 9,981 |
| Raymond Berry | 9,275 |
| Charley Taylor | 9,110 |
| Harold Carmichael | 8,978 |
From 1971-83, only five NFL wide receivers recorded at least three seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards: Steve Largent (5), Charlie Joiner (4), Harold Carmichael (3), John Jefferson (3), and James Lofton (3). Among that group, all but Jefferson are all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS
During his career with the Eagles from 1971-83, Carmichael led the NFL with a franchise-record 79 receiving touchdowns. In that span, his 79 receiving touchdowns were 12 more than the next closest NFL player, Cliff Branch (67).
| Most Receiving TDs (NFL Players from 1971-83) | |
|---|---|
| Harold Carmichael | 79 |
| Cliff Branch | 67 |
| Harold Jackson | 62 |
| Steve Largent | 60 |
| Nat Moore | 54 |
| Most Receiving TDs (Eagles All-Time History) | |
|---|---|
| Harold Carmichael | 79 |
| Tommy McDonald | 66 |
| Pete Pihos | 61 |
| Mike Quick | 61 |
| Pete Retzlaff | 47 |
By the end of his Eagles career in 1983, Carmichael was tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Taylor for the seventh-most receiving touchdowns in NFL history. Five of the six players ahead of him on the list – Don Hutson, Don Maynard, Lance Alworth, Paul Warfield, and Tommy McDonald – are also Pro Football Hall of Famers.
| Most Receptions (NFL History, as of 1983) | |
|---|---|
| Don Hutson | 99 |
| Don Maynard | 88 |
| Lance Alworth | 85 |
| Paul Warfield | 85 |
| Tommy McDonald | 84 |
| Art Powell | 81 |
| Harold Carmichael | 79 |
| Charley Taylor | 79 |
• Carmichael recorded 9 consecutive seasons with 5+ receiving TDs from 1973-81. Carmichael is one of only nine receivers in NFL history to produce such a streak, joining Tim Brown (11, 1991-2001), Cris Carter (11, 1991-2001), Marvin Harrison (11, 1996-2006), Don Hutson (11, 1935-45), Terrell Owens (11, 2000-10), Jerry Rice (11, 1986-96), Don Maynard (10, 1960-69) and Marques Colston (9, 2006-14). Among that group, all but Colston are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
• From 1971-83, Carmichael registered more 5+ TD, 6+ TD and 7+ TD seasons than any other NFL player. He tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Largent (5) for the most 8+ TD seasons in that span.
• From 1971-83, Carmichael led all NFL wide receivers and ranked 4th overall with 30 go-ahead TDs, behind Pro Football Hall of Famers John Riggins (35), Walter Payton (34) and Franco Harris (31).
• From 1971-83, Carmichael led all NFL wide receivers and ranked second overall with 37 game-tying or go-ahead TDs, trailing only John Riggins (45) in that span.
OTHER NOTES
Carmichael's 180 career games with the Eagles are the most ever by a wide receiver in franchise history. From 1972-83, Carmichael played in 162 consecutive games, which is tied with Jon Dorenbos for the longest streak in team history.
