Ray Jarvis, a prominent wide receiver from Norfolk State who enjoyed a nine-year career in the NFL, passed away on August 3 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, at the age of 77. Jarvis was a leading figure for the Detroit Lions, topping the team’s receiving charts in both 1975 and 1976. In 1975, he made 29 receptions for 501 yards and four touchdowns. The following year, he improved with 39 receptions, 822 yards, and five touchdowns. His performance in 1976 earned him the title of offensive MVP for the Lions and he led the NFC with an impressive 26.1 yards per catch.
Born on February 2, 1949, in Chesapeake, Virginia, Ray Jarvis became one of the most distinguished receivers in Norfolk State’s history. Between 1967 and 1970, he excelled, finishing his collegiate career with 2,211 receiving yards, which ranks fourth in the school’s history. In 1970, he set a single-season record with an average of 30.8 yards per reception, a mark that still stands today.
The Atlanta Falcons drafted Jarvis in the fifth round of the 1971 NFL Draft, selecting him with the 111th overall pick. He played six games for the Falcons over two seasons before moving to the Buffalo Bills. While with the Bills in 1973, he participated in 12 games but secured only one catch.
Jarvis’ fortunes changed when he joined the Detroit Lions at the end of their 1974 training camp. Over five seasons with Detroit, from 1974 to 1978, he became a central figure in their offense. His career concluded with the New England Patriots in 1979. Over his NFL tenure, Jarvis accumulated 104 receptions, 1,832 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
In 2023, Norfolk State honored Jarvis by inducting him into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame. This recognition celebrated his record-setting achievements at Norfolk State as well as his successful NFL career.
Following retirement, Jarvis was among the former NFL players who sought compensation from the league’s concussion settlement, which underscored the difficulties many retired players face. According to a social media post by his wife, Ahdea, Jarvis had been in hospice care since the previous year due to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related symptoms.
Ray Jarvis is survived by his wife Ahdea, daughters Rahdea and Shani, and five siblings.
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