29 Facts About Larry Centers

1.

One of the most prolific pass catching running backs in NFL history, Larry Centers topped 100 receptions in 1995 and had 99 receptions in 1996.

2.

Larry Centers owns the NFL record for most passes caught by a running back during a career.

3.

Larry Centers was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1995,1996, and 2001.

4.

Larry Centers was born in Tyler, Texas and grew up in Longview.

5.

Larry Centers began playing little league football for the Bramlette Bears as a running back and quarterback during his elementary school years and went on to play in middle school for the Forest Park Eagles and high school for the Longview Lobos until his junior year.

6.

Larry Centers did not play football at all his junior year of high school.

7.

Larry Centers was recruited by Baylor, Texas Tech, and several junior colleges.

8.

Larry Centers led the Lumberjacks in receptions, rushing yards and yards from scrimmage during his junior and senior years.

9.

Larry Centers was a two-time all-Southland Conference pick and set a school record for rushing yards in his senior season.

10.

Larry Centers saw limited playing time in his first two seasons, as head coach Joe Bugel had doubts on his ability to carry the ball and thought of him as a third-down running back.

11.

Larry Centers's playing time started to increase and by 1992, Centers rushed for 139 yards and caught 50 passes for 417 yards.

12.

On October 4,1992, Larry Centers scored the winning touchdown against the Washington Redskins with less than a minute remaining to break an 11-game Cardinals losing streak.

13.

Larry Centers caught 66 passes in his fourth NFL season.

14.

In 1995, Larry Centers had one of the greatest seasons ever of any modern day fullback, recording 101 receptions for 962 yards.

15.

Larry Centers became the first runningback to record 100 receptions.

16.

Larry Centers held the record for most receptions by a running back with 101 until this record was broken by Matt Forte in 2014 with 102.

17.

Larry Centers rushed for 254 yards, scored four touchdowns, and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time.

18.

In 1996, Larry Centers recorded 99 receptions for 766 yards and seven touchdowns, while gaining a career-high 425 yards on 116 carries, and he scored two touchdowns on the ground.

19.

Larry Centers continued to be a major contributor to the Cardinals, recording 123 receptions and 386 rushing yards over the next two seasons.

20.

Larry Centers finished his Cardinals career as the team's all-time leading pass catcher.

21.

At the time of his release, Larry Centers was considered "the heart and soul" of the Cardinals offense.

22.

Larry Centers signed with the Washington Redskins and quickly became a team leader, recording 69 receptions in his first season with the team.

23.

Larry Centers passed Keith Byars for most receptions by a running back.

24.

In 2001, Larry Centers signed with the Buffalo Bills and made it to his third Pro Bowl appearance, catching 80 passes, this time for a total of 620 yards, with 160 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

25.

Larry Centers surpassed Hall of Famers Charlie Joiner and Michael Irvin to reach the top ten in all-time receptions by a player.

26.

Larry Centers recorded 19 receptions for 106 yards and rushed for 82 yards.

27.

Larry Centers retired from professional football before the beginning of the 2004 season.

28.

Larry Centers caught passes in 128 consecutive games, at one point the third longest streak in the NFL.

29.

When Larry Centers retired, he was 7th in passes caught in league history.