Stephone Paige

Stephone Paige

No. 83
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1961-10-15) October 15, 1961 (age 63) Slidell, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:	Long Beach Polytechnic (Long Beach, California)
College:	Fresno State
Undrafted:	1983
Career history
Kansas City Chiefs (1983–1992) Minnesota Vikings (1993)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 377 Receiving yards: 6,341 Touchdowns: 49 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Stephone Paige (born October 15, 1961) is a former professional American football player who played for the Kansas City Chiefs. A 6'2" 185 lb. wide receiver undrafted free agent from California State University, Fresno, Paige played in nine seasons for the Chiefs.

Early years

Paige attended and played high school football at Long Beach Polytechnic High School.[1][2]

College career

Paige attended and played college football at Fresno State.[3][4]

In the 1982 season, Paige had six receptions for 176 receiving yards and three touchdowns against Pacific.[5] In the 1982 California Bowl, Paige scored three touchdowns and 246 receiving yards, both school records, in the 29–28 victory over Bowling Green.[5][6][7] At the time of the bowl game, Paige's 246 receiving yards were an NCAA single-bowl game record that has since been passed numerous times.[8]

Professional career

Paige went undrafted in the 1983 NFL Draft and later joined the Kansas City Chiefs.[9]

1983 season

In Week 6, against the Los Angeles Raiders, Paige recorded his first NFL touchdown on a 36-yard reception in the first quarter of the 21–20 loss.[10] He scored two receiving touchdowns in a 41–38 loss to the San Diego Chargers in Week 15.[11] He finished his rookie season with 30 receptions for 528 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.[12]

1984 season

Paige finished his second NFL season with 30 receptions for 541 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.[13] Paige tied Carlos Carson and Henry Marshall for the team lead in receiving touchdowns in 1984.[14]

1985 season

In the 1985 season, Paige recorded 43 receptions for 943 receiving yards and ten receiving touchdowns. He had three games on the season with multiple receiving touchdowns.[15] He led the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 1985.[16]

Record-breaking game

On December 22, 1985, in Week 16, the regular season finale, Paige had 309 receiving yards on eight receptions against the San Diego Chargers.[17] Paige's record-setting performance was the first 300-yard game seen in the NFL since Cloyce Box accomplished the feat in 1950.[18] He broke Jim Benton's mark that had lasted for over 40 years.[19] Paige accomplished the feat with only eight receptions for a 38.63 yards-per-catch average. No other 300-yard game had been accomplished on less than 12 receptions.[18] Paige's mark remained an NFL single-game record until it was broken in 1989 by Flipper Anderson of the Los Angeles Rams with a 336-yard performance in an overtime game.[20] Paige's 309-yard performance remained the NFL record for a regulation game until Calvin Johnson broke the mark with a 329-yard day in the 2013 season.[21][22] Paige was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his historic game.[23] Paige ended up leading the NFL in the 1985 season in yards per reception with 21.9, undoubtedly bolstered by his record-breaking game.[24]

1986 season

Paige had two games with multiple receiving touchdowns in the 1986 season, Week 7 against the San Diego Chargers and Week 12 against the St. Louis Cardinals. His lone game going over the 100-yard mark came in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills. In the 1986 season, Paige finished with 52 receptions for 829 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns.[25] He led the team in all major receiving categories.[26]

1987 season

In Week 8, against the Chicago Bears, Paige had five receptions for 121 receiving yards and one touchdown in the 31–28 loss.[27] Paige played in 12 games and recorded 43 receptions for 707 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in the 1987 season.[28]

1988 season

In Week 14 against the New York Jets, Paige had four receptions for 113 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 38–34 victory.[29] In the 1988 season, Paige recorded 61 receptions for 902 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.[30] He led the team in all major receiving categories.[31]

1989 season

In Week 8, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Paige had seven receptions for 163 yards in the 23–17 loss.[32] In Week 13, against the Miami Dolphins, he had seven receptions for 133 receiving yards and a touchdown in the 26–21 victory.[33] Paige played in 14 games and recorded 44 receptions for 759 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 1989 season.[34] Paige led the team in receptions and receiving yards. Despite having only two receiving touchdowns, Paige tied for the team lead with Emile Harry, Jonathan Hayes, and Robb Thomas.[35]

1990 season

In Week 2, against the Denver Broncos, Paige had ten receptions for 206 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in the 24–23 loss.[36] In Week 13, against the New England Patriots, he had seven receptions for 151 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 37–7 victory.[37] The 1990 season marked Paige's most productive year as a professional with 65 receptions for 1,021 yards and five touchdowns.[38] He led the team in receptions and receiving yards. He tied with Bill Jones for the team lead in receiving touchdowns.[39] In the Wild Card Round of the 1990–91 season, Paige had eight receptions for 142 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in the 17–16 loss to the Miami Dolphins.[40]

1991 season

In the 1991 season, Paige suffered a knee injury, which limited him to three games. He was declared out for the season after Week 5.[41] After the 1991 season, the Chiefs released Paige.[42]

Between 1985 and 1991, Paige had at least one reception for 83 consecutive games, a team record until it was broken on January 1, 2006, by tight end Tony Gonzalez.[43][44]

Paige was signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 1993 but did not record any statistics with the team.[45]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
1983	KC	16	0	30	528	17.6	43	6
1984	KC	16	1	30	541	18.0	65	4
1985	KC	16	8	43	943	21.9	84	10
1986	KC	16	15	52	829	15.9	51	11
1987	KC	12	11	43	707	16.4	51	4
1988	KC	16	16	61	902	14.8	49	7
1989	KC	14	12	44	759	17.3	50	2
1990	KC	16	16	65	1,021	15.7	86	5
1991	KC	3	2	9	111	12.3	26	0
Career		125	81	377	6,341	16.8	86	49

Personal life

Paige is married has three children.^[citation needed] Paige's sister Faye Mohammad was a basketball player and track athlete at Long Beach State.[46] He is the uncle of NBA player Shabazz Muhammad and tennis player Asia Muhammad.[47][48]

References

1. "Kansas City Adds a Paige to the Record Books : Wide Receiver's 8 Catches for 309 Yards Lead Chiefs Past Chargers, 38–34". Los Angeles Times. December 23, 1985. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
2. Guirem, Steve (January 28, 1999). "Long Beach receiver tops Super 11 chart". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
3. "Stephone Paige College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
4. Taub, David (April 1, 2022). "For Stephone Paige, 309 is the Number That Dreams Are Made Of". GV Wire. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
5. "Fresno State Bulldogs 2022 Football Media Guide" (PDF). Fresno State Bulldogs Athletics. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
6. "California Bowl II Recap". Fresno State Bulldogs Athletics. December 4, 2001. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
7. "Stephone Paige scored three touchdowns and Vince Wesson added..." UPI. December 18, 1982. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
8. "Bowl Game History" (PDF). NCAA.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
9. "Stephone Paige, WR, 1983–1991". Pro Football Hall of Fame. September 10, 2008. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
10. "Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Raiders – October 9th, 1983". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
11. "Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – December 11th, 1983". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
12. "Stephone Paige 1983 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
13. "Stephone Paige 1984 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
14. "1984 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
15. "Stephone Paige 1985 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
16. "1985 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
17. "San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – December 22nd, 1985". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
18. Johnston, Austin (June 26, 2020). "The Best Receiving Performances in Kansas City Chiefs History". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
19. Goldstein, Richard (April 3, 2001). "Jim Benton Dies at 84; Set Longtime Pass-Receiving Record". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
20. Dufresne, Chris (November 27, 1989). "Flipper Saves Rams From a Flop : Pro Football: Anderson catches 15 passes for an NFL-record 336 yards. L.A. still almost self-destructs, but Lansford's kick beats Saints in overtime, 20–17". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
21. Brown, Craig (July 21, 2009). "Formula 309: Remembering Stephone Paige". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
22. "'Megatron's' Mega Day Nearly Set NFL Record". Pro Football Hall of Fame. February 23, 2021. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
23. "1985 NFL Week 16 Leaders & Scores". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
24. "1985 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
25. "Stephone Paige 1986 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
26. "1986 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
27. "Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears – November 1st, 1987". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
28. "Stephone Paige 1987 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
29. "New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs – December 4th, 1988". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
30. "Stephone Paige 1988 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
31. "1988 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
32. "Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers – October 29th, 1989". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
33. "Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – December 3rd, 1989". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
34. "Stephone Paige 1989 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 8, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
35. "1989 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
36. "Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – September 17th, 1990". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
37. "Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots – December 2nd, 1990". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
38. "Stephone Paige 1990 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
39. "1990 Kansas City Chiefs Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
40. "Wild Card – Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins – January 5th, 1991". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
41. "WEEK 12". Chicago Tribune. November 18, 1991. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
42. "AROUND THE NFL". Washington Post. September 16, 1992. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
43. Hoskins, Alan (October 1, 1999). Warpaths: The Illustrated History of the Kansas City Chiefs. Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4617-0344-0. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
44. Michaels, Josh (May 15, 2014). "Kansas City Chiefs Throw Back Thursday: Wide Receiver, Stephone Paige". KC Kingdom. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
45. Bricker, Charles (May 9, 1993). "VIKES' A.C. LONGS FOR JOLT OF FREE-AGENT CURRENCY". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
46. Dorsey, David (December 20, 2010). "At City of Palms, Shabazz Muhammad ready to show off 'big-time athleticism'". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
47. Foster, Chris (April 12, 2012). "Shabazz Muhammad looks to add to family history". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
48. Maine, D'Arcy (September 2, 2020). "2020 US Open doubles teams to watch". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.

External links

• Career statistics from Pro Football Reference