Pat Studstill

Patrick Lewis Studstill Jr. (June 4, 1938 – October 16, 2021) was an American professional football player and actor. He played 12 years in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions (1961–1967), Los Angeles Rams (1968–1971), and New England Patriots as a wide receiver, punter and return specialist. He led the NFL with 457 punt return yards in 1962. In 1966, he led the league in both receiving yards (1,266) and punting yards (3,259). He also tied an NFL record in 1966 with a 99-yard touchdown reception.

Early life Studstill was born in 1938 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He sustained a leg injury as a senior and only played 10 minutes that year.

Professional career Detroit Lions Studstill was undrafted in the 1961 NFL draft. He signed with the Detroit Lions in August 1961. As a rookie, he appeared in all 14 games, principally returning punts and kickoffs. On October 8, 1961, in a victory over the Chicago Bears, he returned a kickoff 100 yards for the Lions. He ranked fourth in the NFL with an average of 28 yards per kickoff return.

In 1962, he led the NFL with 457 yards on 29 punt returns, an average of 15.8 yards per return.

In 1965, Studstill appeared in all 14 games for the Lions, including 12 games as a starter at the flanker position. He led the team with 28 receptions and three receiving touchdowns and ranked second on the team with 389 receiving yards. He finished the 1965 season ranked sixth in the NFL in punting, having kicked 78 times for an average of 42.8 yards per punt. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl at the end of the 1965 season. One of his five touchdowns went for 99 yards, making him the third player to accomplish this feat. Since then, eight other players have tied his record. In 1966, he had an NFL record of five consecutive games with 125+ receiving yards, which has since been tied by Calvin Johnson and broken by A.J. Brown. At the end of the 1966 season, Studstill was selected as a first-team All Pro by the Sporting News, Associated Press, UPI, and Football Weekly.

In 1967, Studstill missed seven games with a pulled hamstring muscle. Studstill spent four years with the Rams, appearing in 56 games, but only one as a starter. He caught 28 passes for the Rams and scored three touchdowns, He averaged 41.4 yards per punt in 1971.

New England Patriots Studstill was placed on waivers by the Rams prior to the 1972 season. He was claimed by the New England Patriots. He was used exclusively as a punter during the 1972 season.

Studstill sustained a knee injury during training camp in May 1973. Studstill claimed the injury required surgery, and the Patriots disputed the injury and refused to honor his contract for the 1973 season.

Throughout his career, Studstill punted 560 times for 22,764 yards, averaging 40.7 yards per punt.

Family and later life Studstill was married in July 1960 to Barbara Jean Pickard. Both were students at the University of Houston. With Barbara, he had a son, Pat Studstill III, and daughter, Lisa. Studstill had several rescue dogs. He later remarried to his second wife, Rita Vennari. Other credits included 1st & Ten, Magnum, P.I., The Incredible Hulk, and Paper Lion.

In 1999, Studstill was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

He died on October 16, 2021, at his home in Los Angeles.

NFL career statistics Legend Led the league Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Receiving Punting GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1961 DET 14 0 5 54 10.8 25 0 1 32 32.0 32 0 1962 DET 14 0 36 479 13.3 51 4 – – – – – 1964 DET 14 3 7 102 14.6 27 1 – – – – – 1965 DET 14 12 28 389 13.9 55 3 78 3,335 42.8 69 0 1966 DET 14 13 67 1,266 18.9 99 5 72 2,956 41.1 66 0 1967 DET 7 5 10 162 16.2 37 2 36 1,602 44.5 78 0 1968 RAM 14 1 7 108 15.4 25 1 81 3,207 39.6 58 0 1969 RAM 14 0 3 28 9.3 11 0 80 3,259 40.7 60 0 1970 RAM 12 11 26 351 13.5 28 4 67 2,618 39.1 53 0 1971 RAM 14 0 – – – – – 70 2,896 41.4 60 0 1972 NE 14 0 – – – – – 75 2,859 38.1 57 1 Career 147 42 181 2,840 15.7 99 18 560 22,764 40.7 78 1