Randy Vataha
Encyclopedia
Randel Edward "Randy" Vataha, (born December 4, 1948 in Santa Monica, California
), was a wide receiver
who played seven seasons in the NFL.
's favorite receiving targets at Stanford
. In 1970, Vataha caught a 96-yard touchdown pass from Plunkett, the longest touchdown catch in Stanford history until it was surpassed by a 98-yard pass from Joe Borchard
to Troy Walters
in 1999. He scored the last touchdown in Stanford's upset of Ohio State
in the 1971 Rose Bowl
and is a member of the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame.
(418th overall), but was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots
, where he was reunited with Plunkett. In his first NFL season, Vataha was named to UPI's AFC all-rookie team. He played six seasons with the Patriots before ending his career with the Green Bay Packers
in 1977.
in 1983, owning 50% of the Boston Breakers
. Vataha is now the president of Game Plan LLC, a company that specializes in the buying and selling of professional sports teams.
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
), was a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
who played seven seasons in the NFL.
College career
Vataha, a wide receiver, was one of Jim PlunkettJim Plunkett
James William "Jim" Plunkett is a former American football quarterback who played college football for Stanford University, where he won the Heisman Trophy, and professionally for three National Football League teams: the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. ...
's favorite receiving targets at Stanford
Stanford Cardinal
The Stanford Cardinal is the nickname of the athletic teams at Stanford University.-Nickname and mascot history:Following its win over Cal in the first-ever Big Game in 1892, the color cardinal was picked as the primary color of Stanford's athletic teams...
. In 1970, Vataha caught a 96-yard touchdown pass from Plunkett, the longest touchdown catch in Stanford history until it was surpassed by a 98-yard pass from Joe Borchard
Joe Borchard
Joseph Edward Borchard is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He last played in the major leagues in 2007. Borchard was the 12th pick of the first round in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft out of Stanford University by the Chicago White Sox...
to Troy Walters
Troy Walters
Troy McHenry Walters is a retired American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League. He was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of Stanford University by the Minnesota Vikings. He has also played for the...
in 1999. He scored the last touchdown in Stanford's upset of Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
in the 1971 Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
and is a member of the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame.
NFL career
He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 17th round of the 1971 NFL Draft1971 NFL Draft
The 1971 National Football League Draft was held on January 28–29, 1971.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
(418th overall), but was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, where he was reunited with Plunkett. In his first NFL season, Vataha was named to UPI's AFC all-rookie team. He played six seasons with the Patriots before ending his career with the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in 1977.
After football
After retiring from football, Vataha was a founding member of the United States Football LeagueUnited States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
in 1983, owning 50% of the Boston Breakers
Portland Breakers
The Portland Breakers were a professional American Football team that played in the United States Football League in the mid 1980s. Before moving to Portland, Oregon, the franchise was previously in Boston, Massachusetts as the Boston Breakers and New Orleans, Louisiana as the New Orleans...
. Vataha is now the president of Game Plan LLC, a company that specializes in the buying and selling of professional sports teams.