Rick Upchurch

Biography

Rick Upchurch is a former professional football player who played wide receiver for the Denver Broncos (1975–1983). In 2000, Upchurch was named one of the 300 best NFL players of all time. Upchurch was born in Toledo, OH and was two time All-American & Conference in Indian Hills Junior College in Centerville, Iowa. At the University of Minnesota, he was two time All Big Ten in football & track. Upchurch was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1975 as a 4th round draft and debuted that same year against the Kansas City Chiefs where he set the record of 284 yards and 2 touchdowns. Also, in that same year he was named Offensive Rookie of the year. By 1976 he returned 4 punt returns and tied the NFL record for most in one season; and, in 1977 he led the NFL in punt return yards and went to Broncos first Super Bowl appearance. Overall, he appeared in four Pro Bowls, five time All Pro, three time First Team and in Denver Broncos All 50 Year Team. Upchurch was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 2014.

After his retirement from the NFL, Upchurch coached football at Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS; and, later became the head football coach at East High School in Pueblo, CO. He has also worked in social services with children and adults and ran Rare Breed, a sports, leadership, & mentoring program. In October 2011, Upchurch was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia. Since then, he and his wife Donna have raised money for cancer patients and their families. He continues to fight his cancer and must take chemo every day for the rest of his life. Upchurch stays positive, takes good care of himself, eats well, and uplifts others.

Education

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Admissions/Licenses

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