Vernon Biever/Associated Press
Del Shofner, one of pro football’s most brilliant pass receivers of his time, who combined with Y.A. Tittle to help propel the New York Giants to three consecutive league championship games in the early 1960s, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 85.
His death was announced by his daughter Laurie Shofner Corwin, who said her father had died of natural causes. Shofner lived in Bradbury, Calif., but was for most of his life a resident of San Marino, Calif.
A tall, slim Texas native who could outrun and outmaneuver most any defensive back, Shofner revived his career in New York after the Los Angeles Rams had given up on him when he was only 26 years old.