Stanley Morgan: Movies & Box Office

Stanley Douglas Morgan (born February 17, 1955) is a former American professional football wide receiver best known for his 13‑season tenure with the New England Patriots. Growing up in Easley, South Carolina, Morgan excelled at Easley High School, leading the team to a state championship in 1972 before earning a scholarship to the University of Tennessee, where he became a versatile threat as a receiver, running back and return specialist, amassing university records in all‑purpose yards and career touchdowns. His collegiate success earned him first‑team All‑SEC honors in 1974 and 1976, and he was later inducted into the Tennessee Hall of Fame in 2000. Selected 25th overall in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Patriots, Morgan immediately displayed his deep‑threat ability, posting a career‑high 24.1 yards per catch in 1978 and leading the league in yards per reception for three consecutive seasons (1979‑81). He captured the NFL receiving touchdowns title in 1979 with twelve scores, and became the Patriots’ all‑time leader in receiving yards, a record that still stands. A four‑time Pro Bowl participant (1979, 1980, 1986, 1987) and two‑time second‑team All‑Pro, he helped New England reach Super Bowl XX, where he recorded six catches for 51 yards. After a brief stint with the Indianapolis Colts in 1990 and a practice‑squad appearance with the Denver Broncos in 1992, Morgan retired with 557 receptions, 10,716 yards and 72 touchdowns, ranking him among the NFL’s all‑time greats. Post‑retirement, he served as wide‑receivers coach for the XFL’s Memphis Maniax and was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in 2007. His legacy was further cemented in 2021 when the Professional Football Researchers Association named him to the Hall of Very Good, and The Athletic highlighted him as the best 25th‑overall pick since the AFL‑NFL merger.