NEW ORLEANS — Brock Bowers has broken Mike Ditka’s 1961 record for yards receiving by a rookie tight end.
Drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders 13th overall out of Georgia, Bowers eclipsed Ditka’s mark of 1,076 yards when he made a 13-yard catch late in the second quarter on Sunday against New Orleans.
Bowers had entered the game with 1,067 yards and four touchdowns receiving, needing 10 yards to set the record in his 16th career game. Ditka set his mark in 14 games.
Brock Bowers stands alone ????
The most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in NFL history! ☠️ pic.twitter.com/hasSGbr8aY
— ESPN (@espn) December 29, 2024
The 6-foot-3, 243-pound Bowers starred for three seasons at Georgia before turning pro, winning national championships with the Bulldogs in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
He finished his college career with 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns receiving in 40 games before declaring for the 2024 NFL draft, in which he was the first tight end to be selected.
