Randy Vataha

Randel Edward Vataha (born December 4, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Stanford Indians (now Cardinal). Vataha was selected in the 17th round of the 1971 NFL draft and spent the first six years of his NFL career with New England. He finished his career after a season with the Green Bay Packers.

Early life Born in Santa Monica, California, Vataha lettered in four sports at Rancho Alamitos High School in Garden Grove; he was a quarterback in football and graduated

College career Vataha made the transition to wide receiver at Golden West Junior College in a Stanford record which stood until 1999 (by a 98-yard pass from Joe Borchard to Troy Walters).

At the end of that season, Vataha scored the last touchdown in Stanford's upset of #2 Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, a ten-yard pass from Plunkett with eight minutes both are members of the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame. Plunkett won the Heisman Trophy and was the first pick of the 1971 NFL draft; Stanford climbed to eighth in the final AP poll with a

Vataha was nicknamed "Rabbit" for his moves on the field and worked one summer at Disneyland in costume as one of the

NFL career Vataha was selected in the 17th round of that NFL draft (418th overall) by the Los Angeles Rams. Released in training camp, he was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots, where he was reunited with Plunkett. He was named to UPI's AFC all-rookie team in and played six seasons with the Patriots. Vataha caught 178 receptions for 3,055 yards. He also had 23 touchdown receptions while with the Patriots. He was waived by the Patriots before the start of the 1977 season and signed with the Green Bay Packers. He ended his career with the Green Bay Packers

Vataha, along with Stanley Morgan, was one of two wide receivers named to the New England Patriots 1970’s All-Decade Team.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1971 NWE 14 13 51 872 17.1 88 9 1972 NWE 14 14 25 369 14.8 44 2 1973 NWE 14 4 20 341 17.1 48 2 1974 NWE 12 10 25 561 22.4 59 3 1975 NWE 14 14 46 720 15.7 47 6 1976 NWE 12 8 11 192 17.5 44 1 1977 GNB 6 3 10 109 10.9 20 0 86 66 188 3,164 16.8 88 23

After football After retiring from football, Vataha was a founding member of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1983, owning 50% of the Boston Breakers. He is now the president of Game Plan LLC, a company that specializes in the buying and selling of professional