Gator receiver in the 1970s and later for the New York Jets for 8 years. He was the father of Jabar Gaffney and Uncle of Lito Shepherd. Jacksonville native Derrick Gaffney, former Jets WR, Raines alum, dies at 69
First, my sincere condolences to his family and friends. I find that the older I get, the more it pains me to see these heroes from my youth leaving us. I'll never forget driving to Jacksonville from the panhandle to watch that opening game against Rice with an old Gator buddy who's also, sadly, no longer with us. We whooped it up pretty good on that 99-yard TD bomb from Collinsworth, as I recall. RIP Gator.
Related question — was Don Gaffney related? #8 — I’ll never forget how much fun it was to watch him run the option. If only we’d had a coach other than Doug Dickey. EDIT: the article says brother Don survives Derrick RIP Gators!
R.I.P. Mr. Gaffney. PRAYERS to all of your family and friends and may they all find comfort in OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.
Met him several years ago at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta where he worked at that time. We were there in our Gator garb and when he saw us, he came up to us and we talked for a while. And when I told him I was from Jacksonville, I think he made more time for us and walked us around a bit. Really nice guy. Very sad. Too young.
