(Aug. 3, 1956 – Nov. 13, 2013) With his eleven-year career in the NFL, Todd Christensen established himself as one of the most prolific tight ends in league history. At 6-3, 230 pounds, he was known as a sure-handed receiver with the ability to get open and make catches in heavy traffic. The Oregon Native first starred at Eugene’s Sheldon High School where he made the All-State team as both a running back and a defensive Lineman. Christensen then went to Brigham Young University where he was a four-year starter at running back. But playing in the wide-open BYU offense, it was as a receiver where he made his mark. Christensen led the Cougars in receiving fro three straight years and helped the team win their league championship in three of his four hyears at the school. He also was the Most Valuable Player of the 1977 Blue-Gray Classic catching 10 passes in the college all-star game.

Christensen was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1978 NFL Draft but was cut before playing a game with the team. He then played one game with the new York Giants before embarking on aj storied ten-year career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. With the Silver and Black, Christensen was a five-time All-Pro and member of two Super Bowl Champion squads. His greatest years came from 1983-86 when he twice led the NFL in receptions and set a then league record for tight ends of 95 catches in 1986. Called “The Renaissance Man” during his playing days with the Raiders, Christensen has certainly lived up to that billing. After his NFL retirement, Christensen took his talents to the broadcast booth working as an analyst for both college and pro football games. He was an on-field reporter at two super Bowls and broadcast from the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. A sought-after speaker, he is President of a non-profit organization called Athletes for Youth that provides activities and financial aid to Los Angeles inner-city youth. Christensen is also an accomplished opera singer and has written three books of self-published poetry.