Jerome Barkum

Jerome Phillip Barkum (born July 18, 1950) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and tight end for 12 years with the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL).

Football career He was drafted by the Jets out of Jackson State University with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 1972 NFL draft. At Jackson State, Barkum was selected to the 1971 Little All-America Team as a Wide Receiver.

In his second year with the Jets in 1973, he was selected to the Pro Bowl as a WR. Later in his career, Barkum transitioned to the Tight End position, remaining a viable go-to receiver for the Jets offense. In his career, Barkum recorded 40 touchdown receptions, but was noted for rarely spiking the football at a time when such celebrations were increasingly frequent.

Barkum's most memorable catch in the NFL was made in Shea Stadium in a 1981 clash against the Miami Dolphins in the last seconds of the game to lift the Jets to victory 16–15. The Jets made the playoffs that year for the first time since their loss to the Chiefs in the 1969 AFL Divisional Round.

In the 1982 season, Barkum was a part of the Jets team that made it to the AFC Championship. He was released by the Jets after the 1983 season. Barkum's 40 touchdown receptions rank him fourth in Jets history.

He briefly attended the 1984 preseason camp with the New York Giants, but was waived before the season started. Roughly one month later, the Washington Redskins brought Barkum to camp for a tryout in the wake of several injuries, but he was officially cut on August 28, 1984.

In 2011, Barkum joined two other players in a class action lawsuit against the NFL regarding head injuries.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1972 NYJ 14 1 16 304 19.0 52 2 1973 NYJ 14 14 44 810 18.4 63 6 1974 NYJ 14 14 41 524 12.8 39 3 1975 NYJ 13 13 36 549 15.3 56 5 1976 NYJ 4 3 5 54 10.8 25 1 1977 NYJ 14 14 26 450 17.3 40 6 1978 NYJ 16 16 28 391 14.0 27 3 1979 NYJ 13 13 27 401 14.9 40 4 1980 NYJ 16 11 13 244 18.8 28 1 1981 NYJ 16 16 39 495 12.7 40 7 1982 NYJ 9 9 19 182 9.6 29 1 1983 NYJ 15 13 32 385 12.0 34 1 158 137 326 4,789 14.7 63 40

Playoffs Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1981 NYJ 1 1 2 41 20.5 37 0 1982 NYJ 3 3 4 40 10.0 12 0 4 4 6 81 13.5 37 0

Post-Football In 2013, Barkum founded and became CEO of Smooth Jams Jazz on Roku TV and via website apps.