Jerry Hendren

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Hendren graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1966,^[3] and played college football at the University of Idaho in Moscow.^[2] He led the NCAA in 1969 in both receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,452).^[4][5][6] Hendren also led the nation in 1968 in receptions (86) and receiving touchdowns (14).^[7] He was recruited to Idaho under head coach Steve Musseau; Y C McNease took over in 1968 and emphasized the passing game.^[8]

After the 1969 season, Hendren played in five collegiate all-star games, including the East–West Shrine Game,^[9] the American Bowl,^[10] the Senior Bowl,^[11][12][13] and the College All-Star Game in late July.^[14] He caught five passes in the Shrine Game,^[9] ten in the Senior Bowl,^[11][12] and the city of Moscow honored him with "Jerry Hendren Day" and a key to the city.^[13]

Selected in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL draft,^[15] Hendren was signed by the Broncos in March 1970,^[16][17][18] and he appeared in ten games for the Broncos in 1970, principally on special teams,^[19] with eight kick returns for 197 yards. Shoulder injuries during his second training camp in 1971 resulted in his retirement.^[20]

After his pro football career, Hendren coached briefly,^[2][20] then had a long career in law enforcement; his father Wayne was a police officer in Spokane and was the city's chief of police for a decade (1970−80).^[21] Hendren worked for the Spokane County sheriff’s department for 29 years: eleven years as a patrol deputy, seven years as an undercover officer, and eleven years as an investigator. His son Thomas is a captain in the Spokane Police Department.^[2]

In 2013, Hendren was selected by the Big Sky Conference 42nd on the conference's list of "50 Greatest Male Athletes".^[13] He was a charter member of the University of Idaho Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.

Hendren died at age 70 in 2018.^[1][2]