Former Raiders Tight End Todd Christensen Dies At 57

[Auggie]

A five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl winner, Christensen died from complications during liver transplant surgery Wednesday. He was 57.

After a stellar career at running back for BYU from 1974-77, Christensen was a second-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1978 NFL draft.

He was waived by the Cowboys after breaking his foot in training camp but landed the next year with the Raiders, where he played for 10 seasons at tight end and won Super Bowls in 1981 and 1984.

In 1983, he had 92 catches, setting the NFL record at the time for tight ends. He finished the season with 1,247 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns. He broke his own receiving record three seasons later with 95 catches.

LINK: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/13/todd-christensen-dead-raiders_n_4268449.html

Career stats: 467 catches for 5,872 yards. 41 touchdowns. Holds the TD record for a Raiders tight end. Surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in three different seasons.

He had been waiting for 10 months for a donor liver.

Wow.

[malthaussen]

1. I remember him well, he was excellent.

For awhile there, the Raiders ran a two tight-end offense because the Raiders also had Casper and Chester during his career.

Just my age. Funny how many football players don't make it to 60.

-- Mal

[Auggie]

2. Addendum:

Christensen was a devout Mormon who didn't drink … his family believes his liver problems started 25 years ago after a "botched" gall bladder operation, his son told the Associated Press.

http://www.sfgate.com/raiders/article/Raiders-tight-end-Todd-Christensen-dies-at-57-4981600.php

Colorful guy. The sfgate link is worth reading.