Erik Konrad Affholter (born April 10, 1966) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). As a 16-year-old place kicker during his junior season of high school he broke a national record with a 64-yard field goal, which at the time was the longest field goal kicked at any level. Playing college football for the USC Trojans, he was an All-American and established school records for most receptions in a season, and in a career.

Early and personal life

He was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Conrad (a salesman) and Ruth Affholter, and is Jewish. ^{[1] [2]} In the early 1970s, the family moved to Agoura, California. ^[3] He later lived in Anthem, Arizona. ^{[4] [5]}

High school

Affholter played football at Oak Park High School in Ventura County, California. ^[5] As a 16-year-old place kicker during his junior season he broke a national record with a 64-yard (59 meter) field goal in 1982, which at the time was the longest field goal kicked at any level. ^{[6] [3] [4] [7] [8] [9]} A sportswriter at the game estimated it could have gone 74 yards (68 meters). ^[10] Asked about his kick, Affholter said: "I'd much rather catch touchdown passes." ^[1] At the time, as a wide receiver he had caught more touchdown passes than any player in his high school conference. ^[1]

In addition to kicking field goals and extra points, he played tailback, wide receiver, defensive back, and linebacker. ^[11] In 1983 he was a USA Today All-USA high school football first-team All-American, All- California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), and All-State; he was also a Los Angeles Times running back of the year. ^{[9] [12]}

College

Affholter played college football at the University of Southern California (USC) for the Trojans as a wide receiver, though he had initially received a scholarship as a kicker. ^{[11] [13] [14] [15] [16]} He was athletic, with a 36-inch (910 mm) vertical jump. ^[11]

On November 21, 1987, he made a controversial memorable fourth quarter winning end zone juggling touchdown catch for a 17-13 upset over Troy Aikman's No. 5-ranked UCLA Bruins that sent the unranked 1987 USC Trojans football team to the 1988 Rose Bowl. ^{[5] [17] [18] [19] [9]} He was named a member of the 1988 College Football All-America Team, and a Pac-10 All-Academic selection. ^{[20] [8] [21] [9]} In 1988 as a senior he led USC with 68 catches for 952 yards and eight touchdowns. ^[22] He established USC records for most receptions in a season, and in a career (123). ^{[16] [23]} Upon graduation, he became a member of the USC Skull and Dagger Society. ^[9]

National Football League

He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. ^{[24] [25]} On April 23, 1989, the Redskins then immediately traded him and two draft picks to the Green Bay Packers for quarterback Jeff Graham. ^{[26] [9]} About a month later he broke his ankle in a pick-up basketball game in New York City, shortly before reporting to Packers training camp. ^[5] He spent the entire season on injured reserve. ^[23] He played the 1991 season in the NFL for the Packers. ^[7]

In 1992, he signed with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent. ^[27] He retired in 1995 due to a career-ending knee injury. ^[9]

Coaching

Since retiring, he has coached high school and youth football. ^{[9] [28]}

Honors

In 2016 he was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. ^{[29] [2] [4]}

References

External links

• Pro-Football-Reference
• The Pro Football Archives
• databaseFootball