Wikipedia

Freddie Solomon

This article is about San Francisco 49ers player. For the Philadelphia Eagles player, see Freddie Solomon (American football, born 1972).

Freddie Solomon (January 11, 1953 – February 13, 2012) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL).[1] He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 1975 NFL draft. A native of Sumter, South Carolina, he was a graduate of Sumter High School class of 1971. A 5-foot-11, 184-pound receiver from the University of Tampa (where he had played quarterback), Solomon played in 11 NFL seasons for the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers from 1975 to 1985. On December 5, 1976, Solomon had a career game, with 5 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown, 1 rushing attempt for 59 yards and a touchdown, and a punt return for 79 yards and a touchdown.[2] Solomon won two Super Bowls with the 49ers, the first two in the history of the franchise.[3]

Freddie Solomon
No. 86, 88
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:(1953-01-11)January 11, 1953
Sumter, South Carolina, U.S.
Died:February 13, 2012(2012-02-13) (aged 59)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Sumter
College:Tampa
NFL draft:1975 / round: 2 / pick: 36
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:371
Receiving yards:5,846
Rushing attempts:61
Rushing yards:519
Total touchdowns:57
Stats at Pro Football Reference

On "The Catch", Dwight Clark's famous leaping grab that helped the 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys in the 1982 NFC Playoffs, Solomon was the primary target on the play, but slipped coming out of his cut. Solomon made several key plays on the 49ers final drive of that game.[4]

Early life

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Solomon played both basketball and football while attending Sumter High School.[5] As the sixth man on his basketball team[6] he scored two important baskets as the buzzer went off for half-time and third-quarter during a game against Howard in

Football: Solomon led his team to its first undefeated season and first South Carolina High School state football championship.[7] In 1969, Soloman in a game against Howard High School scored the team's only points in a 74-yard kick-off return.[8] His longest run that season was for 90 yards.[9] In the 1970 Shrine Bowl, Soloman had 29 carries for 197 yards, and two touchdowns runs (22 & 41 yards). He was an honorary captain of the 1991 Shrine Bowl in Charlotte, NC.[10]

Legacy & awards

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  • Solomon was inducted into the Sumter Sports Hall of Fame[11]
  • South Carolina Sports Hall of Fame 2014 Class (posthumously) [12]
  • 1994 class of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame[13]
  • Two-time Super Bowl Champion

Personal life

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He was married to his wife Delilah for 33 years. After retiring from the NFL, Solomon worked for 20 years at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.[14] with a special youth program. Solomon's community engagement was extensive, spanning initiatives such as organizing Back to School events, Christmas programs, Family Fun Days, and Football Camps/Clinics, all aimed at supporting children and families.[14] Solomon died on February 13, 2012, after a nine-month battle with colon and liver cancer.[15]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1975 MIA 14 5 22 339 15.4 58 2
1976 MIA 10 8 27 453 16.8 53 2
1977 MIA 13 6 12 181 15.1 54 1
1978 SFO 16 15 31 458 14.8 58 2
1979 SFO 15 11 57 807 14.2 44 7
1980 SFO 16 13 48 658 13.7 93 8
1981 SFO 15 15 59 969 16.4 60 8
1982 SFO 9 7 19 323 17.0 46 3
1983 SFO 13 11 31 662 21.4 77 4
1984 SFO 14 13 40 737 18.4 64 10
1985 SFO 16 12 25 259 10.4 39 1
151 116 371 5,846 15.8 93 48

Playoffs

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Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1981 SFO 3 2 16 234 14.6 58 2
1983 SFO 2 2 6 122 20.3 76 2
1984 SFO 3 3 12 181 15.1 29 2
1985 SFO 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
9 7 34 537 15.8 76 6

References

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  1. ^ "McIntyre Gains NCAA, Olympic Bids". The Item. May 7, 1980. p. 22. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "Freddie Solomon, a Star N.F.L. Receiver, Dies at 59". The New York Times. February 14, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  3. ^ "'The Catch' lands a spot in NFL lore". St. Petersburg Times. November 19, 1999. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  4. ^ Off on the wrong foot Sports Illustrated Archived 2023-09-18 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Bulldogs Top Dalzell Team". The Item. January 20, 1970. p. 7. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "Bulldogs Suffering From Lack of Bite". The Item. January 16, 1970. p. 10. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "Unsolved Mystery". The Item. June 17, 1980. p. 10. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  8. ^ "Sumter High's Belted". The Item. September 27, 1969. p. 8. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  9. ^ "Sumter High Loses Fifth". The Item. October 10, 1969. p. 9. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  10. ^ "Shrine Bowl Played Today". The Item. December 14, 1991. p. 13. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "Sumter Sports Hall of Fame". The Item. October 14, 1989. p. 16. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  12. ^ "Freddie Solomon". SC Football Hall of Fame | Become a life changer for our youth!. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  13. ^ "Florida Sports Hall of Fame | Freddie Solomon". Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Obituary information for Freddie Solomon Jr". www.southernfuneralcare.com. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Former Dolphins and 49ers WR Freddie Solomon dies". USA Today. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012.
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