Ray Jarvis, a remarkable wide receiver from Norfolk State, and NFL player, passed away on August 3 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, at 77 years old.
During his NFL career, Jarvis led the Lions in receiving in 1975 with 29 receptions for 501 yards and four touchdowns. He continued his impressive performance in 1976 with 39 receptions, 822 yards, and five touchdowns. His achievements in 1976 earned him the Lions’ offensive MVP title, with a remarkable 26.1 yards per catch leading the NFC.
Born on February 2, 1949, in Chesapeake, Virginia, Jarvis was one of Norfolk State’s most accomplished receivers from 1967-70. During this time, the Spartans emerged as a premier program among Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Jarvis was known as a top deep threat nationwide, finishing his college career with 2,211 receiving yards. This total ranks fourth in the school’s history. His record-setting 30.8 yards per reception during the 1970 season remains a single-season record for Norfolk State decades later.
The Atlanta Falcons drafted Jarvis in the fifth round of the 1971 NFL Draft, with the 111th overall pick. Jarvis played six games for the Falcons over two seasons before moving to the Buffalo Bills. With the Bills, he played in 12 games in 1973, catching just one pass.
Jarvis found significant success with the Detroit Lions after joining at the end of their 1974 training camp. He spent five seasons in Detroit from 1974-78 before concluding his playing career with the New England Patriots in 1979. Jarvis retired with 104 catches for 1,832 yards and 11 touchdowns.
In 2023, Norfolk State honored Jarvis’ contributions by inducting him into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The school acknowledged both his record-setting college performance and his NFL career.
During retirement, Jarvis’ family sought compensation through the NFL’s concussion settlement process, which highlights the struggles some older retirees face.
According to a social media post by his wife, Ahdea, Jarvis had been in hospice for the past year due to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia symptoms.
Jarvis is survived by his wife Ahdea, daughters Rahdea and Shani, along with five siblings.