Gail Cogdill was a professional American football player who played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He was born on May 3, 1937, in Spokane, Washington, and attended Washington State University, where he played college football.
Cogdill was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 1960 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as a talented receiver, earning the NFL Rookie of the Year award in his first season. He went on to play for the Lions for seven seasons, from 1960 to 1966, and was named to the Pro Bowl three times during that period.
In 1967, Cogdill was traded to the Baltimore Colts, where he played for two seasons. He then played one season for the Atlanta Falcons before finishing his career with the New Orleans Saints in 1970.
Throughout his career, Cogdill was known for his speed, agility, and excellent hands. He was a reliable receiver who could make tough catches in traffic and was also a threat to score on deep passes. He finished his career with 386 receptions for 5,696 yards and 34 touchdowns.
After retiring from football, Cogdill worked as a real estate agent and also coached high school football. He was inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.
Cogdill passed away on October 20, 2016, at the age of 79. He is remembered as one of the greatest receivers in Detroit Lions history and a talented player who made a significant impact on the NFL during his career.
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