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United States Don Maynard was a legendary American professional football wide receiver, known for his impactful career with the New York Jets and his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Don Maynard was the first player to sign with the New York Titans in 1960. He played for the franchise from 1960 to 1972, witnessing its transformation into the New York Jets in 1963. He was a foundational player for the team and helped them win Super Bowl III.
Maynard was drafted by the New York Giants in the ninth round of the 1957 NFL Draft and played for them in the 1958 season. He then briefly played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League in 1959 before joining the New York Titans.
Maynard was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973, playing two games and catching one pass for 18 yards before being released.
In 1974, after his NFL career, Maynard joined the Houston Texans of the World Football League, which later became the Shreveport Steamer. He had five receptions during this season and later became the receivers' coach for the Steamer.
Maynard formed a significant partnership with quarterback Joe Namath, becoming one of his primary targets. Their connection was vital to the Jets' offense and contributed to Namath throwing for over 4000 yards in 1967.
Donald Rogers Maynard was born on January 25, 1935, in Crosbyton, Texas. His early life involved frequent moves across West Texas, attending 13 different schools, including five high schools. During his senior year at Colorado City High School in Colorado City, Texas, he earned letters in football, basketball, and track, demonstrating early athletic versatility. Maynard continued his collegiate football career first at Rice University for one year, then at Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso). Over three seasons (1954–56) with the Miners, he recorded 28 receptions, averaging 27.6 yards per reception and scoring 10 touchdowns. Additionally, he rushed for 843 yards on 154 attempts, showcasing diverse skills as a running back, and also returned punts and kickoffs. His collegiate career included accumulating 2,283 all-purpose yards and intercepting 10 passes as a defensive back, highlighting his all-around talent.
Maynard’s professional journey began when the New York Giants selected him in the ninth round of the 1957 NFL draft as the 109th overall pick. In his rookie year, he appeared in 12 games, recording 12 rushes for 45 yards and 5 receptions for 84 yards, in addition to contributing on special teams. After being released by the Giants in 1959, he briefly played one game in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. During his off-seasons, Maynard worked as a plumber and a teacher. A significant turning point in his career came in 1960 when he became the first player to sign with the New York Titans, which later became the Jets in 1963. He was initially dismissed by the New York press as an “NFL reject,” but quickly proved his critics wrong. He teamed with Art Powell to form a highly productive wide receiver duo, with both players achieving over 1,000 receiving yards in a season multiple times, first in 1960 and again in 1962. Maynard went on to play 13 seasons with the franchise, securing his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Throughout his career with the Titans/Jets, Maynard continued to achieve significant milestones. He recorded four more seasons with 50 or more catches and over 1,000 receiving yards. He held the professional football record for total receptions and receiving yards at the time of his retirement. Maynard was a four-time AFL All-Star and is recognized as a member of the AFL All-Time Team. In 1965, he began playing with rookie quarterback Joe Namath, forming a notable connection that yielded 1,218 yards on 68 receptions and 14 touchdowns in Namath’s first season. A career highlight was in 1967 when he led the league with 1,434 receiving yards and caught 71 passes for 10 touchdowns. He was instrumental in the Jets’ victory in Super Bowl III in 1969, a historic upset against the Baltimore Colts. Maynard played four more seasons with the Jets, being named first-team All-Pro in 1969. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 and briefly played for the Los Angeles Rams before concluding his active playing career with the Houston Texans/Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League in 1974. He later served as the receivers’ coach for the Shreveport Steamer until the league folded.
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