Professional Football Player. For ten seasons (1964 to 1973), he played at the split end, tight end and wide receiver positions in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints and Houston Oilers. Born David Wayne Parks, he attended Abilene High School in Texas where he made his initial impact on the football field. He played collegiate football at Texas Tech and earned All-Southwest Conference status twice, in addition to Second Consensus All-American honors. At the end of his collegiate years, he held several of the school's offensive records. His achievements at Texas Tech earned him the distinction as being the number one overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers during the 1964 NFL Draft. He established himself as one of the league's top receivers and received Pro-Bowl honors three consecutive years (1964 to 1966). In 1964, Parks led the league with 80 receptions, 1,344 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns earning him All-Pro status. During the 1967 season, he suffered a serious rib injury which declined his production for the remainder of his career. In 118 career regular season games, he compiled 360 receptions, 5,619 yards and 44 touchdowns. He extended his professional career an additional season, when he played with the Southern California Sun of the World Football League (1974). After retiring from football, he served as associate director of the Texas Rangers Law Enforcement Organization. He was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Professional Football Player. For ten seasons (1964 to 1973), he played at the split end, tight end and wide receiver positions in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints and Houston Oilers. Born David Wayne Parks, he attended Abilene High School in Texas where he made his initial impact on the football field. He played collegiate football at Texas Tech and earned All-Southwest Conference status twice, in addition to Second Consensus All-American honors. At the end of his collegiate years, he held several of the school's offensive records. His achievements at Texas Tech earned him the distinction as being the number one overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers during the 1964 NFL Draft. He established himself as one of the league's top receivers and received Pro-Bowl honors three consecutive years (1964 to 1966). In 1964, Parks led the league with 80 receptions, 1,344 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns earning him All-Pro status. During the 1967 season, he suffered a serious rib injury which declined his production for the remainder of his career. In 118 career regular season games, he compiled 360 receptions, 5,619 yards and 44 touchdowns. He extended his professional career an additional season, when he played with the Southern California Sun of the World Football League (1974). After retiring from football, he served as associate director of the Texas Rangers Law Enforcement Organization. He was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Bio by: C.S.
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