Dave Parks

David Wayne Parks (born December 25, 1941 in Muenster, Texas) was an American football wide receiver in the NFL. He was the first overall selection in the 1964 NFL Draft out of Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University). Parks was selected to three Pro Bowls. In 2008 Parks was selected to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame along with twelve other players and two coaches. Among the class of 2008 are such notables as Lou Holtz, Troy Aikman, Jay Novacek, and Thurman Thomas.

The former All-American and top pick in the 1964 NFL draft was selected for induction to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame on Thursday during a televised press conference by the NFF on ESPNews. He joins E.J. Holub and Donny Anderson as former Red Raiders previously enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

"Dave Parks is one of our greatest football players," Texas Tech Director of Athletics Gerald Myers said. "He's been successful at all levels and was one of our early All-Americans. We're proud of the things Dave accomplished in football and we are pleased and excited he's been voted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. This is great recognition for Texas Tech and an honor well-deserved for one of our former greats."

Parks left his mark on the Red Raiders program, holding records in career receptions (80, 1962) and single-season receptions (32, 1962 and 1963). He also set marks in single-game receptions (8 vs. Kansas State, 1963), single-game receiving yards (132 vs. Kansas State, 1963). During his junior season in 1962, the Abilene, Texas, native was an All-Southwest Conference selection, was named team most valuable player and Best Tech Lineman.

During his career at Texas Tech, Parks' play never waned, no matter the circumstances - even in triple coverage during his All-American senior season, in which he played with a broken wrist. Known for his offensive talents, Parks also displayed a prowess on defense, which was evidenced by his 98-yard interception return, sealing a 13-12 win over Colorado in 1963.

Media and opposing coaches alike watched in awe as Parks dismantled opposing defenses every Saturday. Former Fort Worth Star-Telegram sports writer Jim Trinkle described a play against Texas A&M where "two Aggies were running side-by-side with the brilliant Parks, but he made a diving catch across the goal, did a somersault, and leaped up with the ball high over his head." A TCU coach scouting the game said, "That was the finest catch I've ever seen."

The first player in school history to be named an Associated Press First Team All-American, Parks joined the likes of Roger Staubach, Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers on the prestigious All-America squad following his senior season in 1963. He also raked in consensus honors as a split end by The Sporting News, Boston Recorder-American, Sports Extra, American Football Coaches, Time Magazine and Football Weekly.

The honors continued to pour in as Parks was rewarded for his play during his senior season with invitations to the East-West Shrine Game, the Senior Bowl, the Coaches All-America Game, and was named to the Chicago Tribune's All-Stars. Playing for the West in the Shrine Game, Parks blocked the game-winning extra point attempt by the East. In the Senior Bowl, he hauled in a George Mira touchdown pass to preserve the South's 20-12 victory.

Park's NFL career spanned 10 years with San Francisco (1964-67), New Orleans (1968-72) and Houston (1973). He was named to the All-Pro Rookie Team in 1964 and was an All-Pro selection in 1965 and 1966, playing in three-straight Pro Bowls.