Gary Shirk
Born: (1950-02-23) February 23, 1950
Marysville, Ohio
Career information
Position(s)Tight end
CollegeMorehead State
Career history
As player
1974–1975Memphis Southmen (WFL)
1976–1982New York Giants
1984–1985Memphis Showboats (USFL)
Career stats

Gary Lee Shirk (born February 23, 1950) is a former professional American football tight end. He played with the New York Giants of the National Football League[1] for seven seasons. He also played in the World Football League for the Memphis Southmen and in the United States Football League for the Memphis Showboats. Shirk played college football at Morehead State University.

Shirk attended Marysville High School in Ohio before moving onto Morehead State University where he was a four-year starter and was the team MVP in 1972.[2] After playing for Memphis in the WFL in 1974 and 1975,[1] Shirk moved on to the NFL, playing for the New York Giants from 1976 until 1982. He played in 101 games for the Giants, with 34 games started, and caught 130 passes for 1640 yards and 11 touchdowns before being released during the 1983 pre-season.[3] From 1979-1982, his QB in New York was another former Morehead State Eagle, Phil Simms. Shirk also played for the USFL Memphis Showboats after his NFL playing days.[4][5] Shirk was inducted into the Kentucky Football of Fame in 2010 and the Morehead State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Litsky, Frank (August 11, 1982). "Once Again, Giants Will Rely on Shirk". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Ohioan is named MVP Morehead, Ky". The Daily Reporter. Dover, Ohio. Associated Press. November 21, 1972. p. 13. Retrieved January 18, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Gary Shirk of Richwood, Ohio, was named Morehead State University's most valuable football player Monday night at the annual fall sports banquet. Shirk, a senior tight end, was the top Eagle pass receiver this year. He was team captain and a four-year starter.
  3. ↑ Lupica, Mike (August 29, 1983). "Shirk's football life has a happy end". The New York Daily News. Retrieved January 18, 2016 – via Google News.
  4. ↑ Wallace, William N. (February 26, 1984). "A Critical Period Ahead in the Battle for Survival". The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2016. Memphis Showboats: (...) Leading players - Walter Lewis, rookie QB from Alabama; Reggie White, rookie DT from Tennessee; Gary Shirk, TE, last with Giants; Terdell Middleton, RB, last with Green Bay Packers.
  5. ↑ Stukenborg, Phil (July 2, 2015). "Showboatin': Thirty years ago, Memphis was in the midst of a spring fling with its beloved USFL team". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved January 18, 2016. The franchise's two seasons — from a seven-win expansion entry to championship contender — had created a bond, with stars like ex-Tennessee defensive end Reggie White, safety Barney Bussey, former Memphis State receiver Derrick Crawford, former NFL tight end Gary Shirk (...).
  6. ↑ "Accomplished Trio to be Enshrined in Athletic Hall of Fame". Morehead State University. June 23, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2016.


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