Bernie Casey
| Position: | Wide receiver |
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| Personal information | |
| Date of birth: | June 8, 1939 |
| Place of birth: | Wyco, West Virginia |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Columbus (OH) East |
| College: | Bowling Falcons |
| NFL Draft: | 1961 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9 |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Bernard Terry "Bernie" Casey (born June 8, 1939), is an American actor, poet, and retired professional football player.
Casey was born in Wyco, West Virginia, the son of Flossie (Coleman) and Frank Leslie Casey. He graduated from East High School in Columbus, Ohio.
Casey was a record-breaking track and field athlete for Bowling Green State University. As one of the nation's best high-hurdlers, Casey earned All-America recognition and a trip to the finals at the 1960 United States Olympic Trials. In addition to national honors, Bernie Casey won three consecutive Mid-American Conference titles in the high-hurdles, 1958–60.
Casey was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1961 as the 9th pick in the first round. He played for eight NFL seasons: six with the 49ers and two with the Los Angeles Rams.
Casey had a productive career, and his most famous moment came in 1967 for the Rams in the next to last game of the season against the Green Bay Packers. The Rams needed to win to keep their division title hopes alive, but trailed the Packers 24-20 with under a minute to play. The Rams then blocked a punt and ran it back to the 5 yard line. After an incomplete pass, Casey caught the winning touchdown pass from Roman Gabriel with under 30 seconds to play to give the Rams a 27-24 victory. The Rams defeated the Colts the following week to win the Coastal Division title.
In a piece for NFL Films, he expressed his disillusionment with the NFL and professional sports in general, feeling like his creativity and individuality were thwarted by conservative elements in the league and ownership hierarchy.
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