Todd Christensen (August 3, 1956 – November 13, 2013) was another Sheldon High School product who excelled in multiple sports and enjoyed a long career in the National Football League. His father, Ned, was a U of O professor and Todd was well-read outside of his athletic accomplishments. On the football field, he was named All-State as a running back and defensive lineman. Todd graduated in 1974 and was selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, the same year as fellow OSHOF member Dale Murphy was selected.
He chose football as a focus and attended Brigham Young University where he was a four-year starter as fullback. Christensen rushed for 1.072 yards and caught 152 passes for his career. He was named All-WAC his senior year and graduated with a degree in social work in 1978. Todd was named MVP of the Blue-Gray Classic, catching 10 passes in the All-Star game.
The road to the pros would be a bit bumpy after being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, first an injury then the team's effort to convert him to tight end. The Giants claimed him off waivers the next season but was released in the pre-season. That led him to the Oakland Raiders and his proper place in the football universe. Christensen first impressed as a long snapper and then he accepted the role of tight end. That was the right choice.
Todd would end up a five-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection as well as a 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. His career totals included 461 catches for 5,872 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Following his NFL retirement, Todd 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. He competed in masters track and field and set an age-group world record in the heptathlon, sang opera and started a youth program in Los Angeles.