Living Legend Retires

WR Bill Singleton's USAFL Impact Unquestioned
By "Grey Teh Stever"

Off-Season 2166 (Baltimore, MD) - Two years into his team’s exploration of the spread offense, GM Mark Thul realized that an opportunity existed. “We saw the piece of the equation that our offense needed sitting in the draft,” Thul explained. “We knew that Bill Singleton was a special player, so we traded up to get him. But even we didn’t expect what we got.”

How could anyone? His first season was arguably the most dominating rookie campaign in league history, and he never relented. Years went by, and he matured and declined, yet nothing kept him from out-producing every other wide receiver in the league. It was the ultimate marriage of player and team.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better situation,” said Singleton. “I was never a burner, but Baltimore stood by me year after year, even after my speed started to fade. Thing is, no stop-watch can measure heart, and I was determined that nobody was going to be better.”

Mission accomplished.


Words fail to encompass the magnitude of Bill Singleton’s career, so please consider the following numbers:

0 – The number of seasons Singleton has failed to be in the top five for MVP voting.

1 – The number of receptions WR Robert Harrison of Pittsburgh beat Singleton by in 2158, the only year Singleton didn’t lead the league in reception.

2 – The number of yards WR Fred Griffith of Chicago beat Singleton by in his rookie year of 2153, the only year Singleton didn’t lead the league in receiving yards.

3 – The number of championship rings Singleton has.

4 – The number of MVP trophies won, tying him with RB Elston Childress of Tennessee for most all-time.

4 – The number of touchdowns scored in Sundby CXC, the sole record-holder for most TDs in a championship game.

4 – The number of 2,000-yard receiving seasons. There have only been eight in USAFL history.

4 – The number of seasons with over 135 receptions. There have only been nine in USAFL history.

5 – The number of times voted as MVP runner-up.

8 – Number of slots Baltimore traded up to draft Singleton in 2153. He was the fourth overall pick.

9 – The average number of receptions per game in his career.

11 – The number of times he led the league in both receptions and receiving yards.

12.5 – The average number of touchdowns scored per season.

13 – Number of seasons in his career.

14.8 – The average number of yards per reception during his career.

21 – Number of playoff games in which he competed.

57 – The number of career TD receptions ahead of second place receiver, Brent Nelson of Minnesota.

126 – Average number of receptions for each of his 13 seasons.

133 – Average number of receiving yards per game during his career.

162 – Total career touchdowns. Good for second overall; five behind career leader, RB Keith Gunn of Green Bay.

473 – The number of career receptions ahead of second place receiver, Brent Nelson of Minnesota.

1,637 – Total career receptions.

1,867 – Average receiving yards per season.

8,170 – The number of career receiving yards ahead of second place receiver, Fred Griffith of Chicago/San Diego.

24,278 – Total career receiving yards. Along with RB Dan Cobb of New England and RB Keith Gunn of Green Bay, the only players to reach 20,000 yards in one aspect of the game.

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