Clifton McNeil

Clifton Anthony McNeil (May 25, 1939 – December 21, 2025) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 through 1973. He played college football for the Grambling State Tigers and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the eleventh round in the 1962 NFL draft. He played with the Browns for four seasons before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1968 for a draft pick. McNeil acquired a number of nicknames on the field, including Sticks, Spider, Road Runner and Night Train, for his slim build and speed.

With the 49ers in 1968, he led the NFL in receptions with 71, accounting for 994 yards and seven touchdowns and was selected to the Pro Bowl. After a disappointing 1969 season he went to the New York Giants where he caught 50 passes for 764 yards and four touchdowns before finishing his career with the Washington Redskins and the Houston Oilers.

McNeil died on December 21, 2025, at the age of 86.

NFL career statistics Legend Won the Super Bowl Led the league Bold Career high

Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1964 CLE 14 0 4 69 17.3 28 1 1965 CLE 13 0 3 69 23.0 32 0 1966 CLE 14 0 2 94 47.0 50 2 1967 CLE 2 0 3 33 11.0 23 2 1968 SFO 14 14 71 994 14.0 65 7 1969 SFO 11 7 17 255 15.0 80 3 1970 NYG 14 14 50 764 15.3 59 4 1971 NYG 6 6 16 209 13.1 24 1 WAS 8 1 14 244 17.4 36 2 1972 WAS 6 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1973 HOU 3 0 1 3 3.0 3 0Career 105 42 181 2,734 15.1 80 22