Hart Lee Dykes Jr.[1] (born September 2, 1966) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for two seasons with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, earning consensus All-American honors in 1988. Dykes was selected in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft with the 16th overall pick. His career was cut short when he fractured his kneecap[2] and because of an eye injury which occurred during a bar room fight that also involved teammate Irving Fryar in 1990.[3] He was also drafted into the Chicago White Sox minor league system in 1989.[4]

Hart Lee Dykes
No. 88
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1966-09-02) September 2, 1966 (age 58)
Bay City, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:Bay City
College:Oklahoma State
NFL draft:1989 / round: 1 / pick: 16
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:83
Receiving yards:1,344
Touchdowns:7
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Background

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He was the winner of the Pitch, Hit and Run competition as a 10-year-old. He was honored at the 1977 MLB All-Star Game.[citation needed] Dykes played high school basketball with LaBradford Smith, and the duo led their high school, Bay City, to the 4A State Championship in 1985. He was also part of his high school's track team, which won a state championship in 1984.[5] He was awarded the Dial Award as the national high school scholar-athlete of the year in 1984.

Playing career

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At OSU, he was a member of a talented offense with Mike Gundy at quarterback and Thurman Thomas and later, Barry Sanders at running back. Dykes was selected in the first round (16th pick) of the 1989 NFL draft.[6] In two seasons with the Patriots, Dykes caught 83 passes for 1,344 yards and seven touchdowns.[7]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1989 NWE 16 6 49 795 16.2 42 5
1990 NWE 10 10 34 549 16.1 35 2
26 16 83 1,344 16.2 42 7

Post-playing career

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As of 2002, Dykes was the owner of a trucking company in Sugar Land, Texas.[8]

Philanthropy

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Dykes is a major advocate for charities such as the Jimmy Fund and Autism Awareness.

References

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  1. ^ "Faces in the Crowd," Sports Illustrated, August 8, 1977. Retrieved December 19, 2020
  2. ^ NFL Disability Plan Draws Congressional Attention - washingtonpost.com
  3. ^ ESPN.com - Page2 - Readers: Worst NFL team
  4. ^ SPORTS PEOPLE: BASEBALL; White Sox Sign Dykes - New York Times
  5. ^ Kensler, Tom (August 17, 1985). "Hitting Started Early for Dykes It's Been Open Season on Cowboy". The Oklahoman. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  6. ^ "1989 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  7. ^ Hart Lee Dykes career stats
  8. ^ USATODAY.com