| Number | 84[1] |
|---|---|
| Position | Wide receiver |
| Birth date | March 26, 1967 (age 59) |
| Birth place | Dillon, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft |
| Height in | 4 |
| Weight lbs | 205 |
| High school | Richland Northeast (Columbia, South Carolina) |
| College | South Carolina (1985–1987) |
| Suppdraftyear | 1988 |
| Suppdraftround | 5 |
| Pastteams | |
| Pastcoaching |
|
| Highlights |
|
| Aflstatlabel 1 | Receptions |
| Aflstatvalue 1 | 118 |
| Aflstatlabel 2 | Receiving yards |
| Aflstatvalue 2 | 1,330 |
| Aflstatlabel 3 | Receiving TDs |
| Aflstatvalue 3 | 24 |
| Afl | Ryan_Bethea-129 |
Ryan Leymone Bethea (born March 26, 1967) is an American former football wide receiver. He played college football at the University of South Carolina and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 1988 NFL supplemental draft. He later played two seasons with the Charlotte Rage of the Arena Football League (AFL).
Early life and college
Ryan Leymone Bethea was born on March 26, 1967, in Dillon, South Carolina.[1] He attended Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, South Carolina.[1]
Bethea was a three-year letterman for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 1985 to 1987.[1] In 1988, he was suspended indefinitely from the Gamecocks over drug-related charges.[2][3] He also lost his amateur status after letting an agent pay for a trip.[4]
Professional career
Bethea was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 1988 NFL supplemental draft.[5] He signed with the Vikings on October 17, 1988.[4] On October 20, the Star Tribune reported that the Vikings had two weeks to either activate Bethea or release him or they would lose his rights.[6] He was promoted to the active roster in early November 1988.[7][8] However, he did not play in any games for the Vikings and was placed on injured reserve in November with a pulled hamstring.[9]
Bethea played for the Charlotte Rage from 1992 to 1993, recording 118 receptions and 24 touchdowns on 1,330 receiving yards.[10] He earned AFL All-Star honors in 1993.[11]
Coaching career
Bethea was head coach of the Bergen Storm from 2009 to 2010.[12]
References
- ^ "Ryan Bethea". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "S. C. receiver arrested, suspended indefinitely". Wilmington Morning Star. February 6, 1988. Retrieved July 22, 2015. – via Google News.
- ^ "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. February 6, 1988. Archived July 22, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
- ^ Hartman, Sid (October 18, 1988). "Latest Vikings loss bothers Burns a lot". Star Tribune. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "1988 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ^ Roe, Jon (October 20, 1988). "Newest Viking has two weeks to win a job". Star Tribune. pp. 3C. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Vikings". Star Tribune. November 3, 1988. pp. 5C. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Holdouts Viking washouts". The Bismarck Tribune. Associated Press. November 3, 1988. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ Hartman, Sid (November 12, 1988). "Future awaits youthful Gophers". Star Tribune. pp. 3C. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Ryan Bethea - Career Stats". arenafan.com. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
- ^ "Ryan Bethea - Awards". arenafan.com. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". bergenstorm.no. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2017.