Harold Carmichael spent 14 years in the NFL, all but one with the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the 1971 draft, writes William C. Kashatus for Pennsylvania Heritage. 

His breakout year was in 1973, when he earned his first Pro Bowl selection and made the Second-Team-All Pro honors. That season, he led the NFL with 67 receptions for 1,116 yards and finished fourth in the league with 9 receiving touchdowns. 

Carmichael credits the hiring of former Green Bay Packers receiver Boyd Dowler as the team’s new receiver coach for helping his development into an elite player.

“He understood how to use his height to his advantage, and he taught me how to do the same thing,” Carmichael said. 

While enduring multiple losing seasons, Carmichael came to see the passion Eagles fans have.

“I love Eagles fans. They are extremely loyal,” he said. “The fans know football, and they will call you on it.”

Carmichael earned four total Pro Bowl selections and 2 All-Pro team selections with the team.

More than 15 years after leaving the team as a player, Carmichael rejoined the Eagles organization in various roles before retiring for good in 2017.

Carmichael was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, after more than 30 years of eligibility. 

Read more about Harold Carmichael’s life and career at Pennsylvania Heritage. 

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