Byron Chamberlain


Byron Daniel Chamberlain is a former American football tight end in the National Football League. He played professionally for the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and the Washington Redskins. Chamberlain won back-to-back Super Bowl Championships as a member of the Denver Broncos. He was voted to the 2002 Pro Bowl while with the Vikings.

Early life

Chamberlain was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Byron grew up in San Diego, CA. After his mother remarried, his family moved to Texas. He attended and graduated from Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Chamberlain was a star in football, baseball and track for the Highlanders.

College career

Chamberlain's started his college career at the University of Missouri, where he made the All-Big Eight Conference freshman team. Chamberlain transferred to Wayne State College, a Division II College in Nebraska where he broke most of the receiving records. Chamberlain was a standout wide receiver at Wayne State from 1993–94. In his two seasons with the Wildcats, Chamberlain had 161 catches for 1,941 yards and 14 touchdowns and became the school's all-time leading receiver, In 1993, Chamberlain had 78 catches for 1,015 yards and seven touchdowns to help the 9-1 Wildcats lead NCAA Division II in total offense that season. He added another 83 catches for 926 yards in 1994. The 83 catches tied most in a single season by a Wildcat receiver and his 16 catches vs. Bemidji State that season ranked most in a single game by a WSC receiver. His quarterback was Brett Salisbury, both were roommates and eventual Harlon Hill Trophy finalists. Chamberlain and Salisbury are the only two players to ever be nominated in the school's history for the Harlon Hill Award.

Professional career

Chamberlain was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 7th round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL for nine seasons. Byron played for Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and the Washington Redskins in his career. He spent the 1996 World League season with the Rhein Fire and led the league with 58 receptions for 685 yards and a league leading 8 touchdowns. Byron was a key contributor as a member of the Denver Broncos back-to-back Super Bowl wins. He was voted to the 2002 Pro Bowl while with the Minnesota Vikings. Byron finished his career with 167 catches for 2,048 yards with 6 touchdowns.

NFL statistics

Receiving Stats
YearTeamGamesReceptionsTargetsYardsYards per ReceptionLongest ReceptionTouchdownsFirst DownsFumblesFumbles Lost
1995DEN51-1111.0110100
1996DEN1112-12910.8170900
1997DEN102-189.090100
1998DEN163-3511.7160300
1999DEN1632-48815.38821800
2000DEN1522-28312.93811200
2001MIN1657-66611.74732811
2002MIN1334-38911.46101500
2003WSH44-297.3150100
Career10616702,04812.38868811

Returning Stats
YearTeamGamesPunt Return AttemptsPunt Return YardsPunts Returned for TouchdownPunts Fair CaughtLongest Punt ReturnKickoff Return AttemptsKickoff Return YardsKickoff Returns for TouchdownKickoffs Fair CaughtLongest Kickoff Return
1996DEN11000003490021
1997DEN10000001130013
2000DEN15000002250013
Career36000006870021

Later life

In the fall of 2008, Chamberlain returned to Wayne State in Wayne, Nebraska to complete his degree. In an afternoon ceremony, Friday December 19, 2008 Chamberlain received his bachelor's degree in Communications after nine seasons in the NFL.
Chamberlain started the in 2000 to assist underserved individuals and communities. Some of the foundations programs have included sports camps for underprivileged kids, clothes and shoe drives, food drives, toy drives as well as health education. Byron looks forward to adding new programs to his foundation including college scholarships as well other health education initiatives