1976 Profile: Emerson Boozer

Halfback
No. 32
Maryland Eastern Shore
"Boozer had a frustrating year in 1975. He was nagged by injuries early but was inserted in the lineup because of his blocking ability and experience. He started four games but missed five regular season games because of assorted injuries including shoulder and ankle problems.
His rash of injuries started in the preseason when he missed the first game with a groin injury. Boozer finished the season with 51 yards on 21 carries, a 2.6 average. He caught a pass for 16 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo after playing only one play against the Chiefs.
Boozer became the 22nd player in pro football history to join the 5,000-yard club in 1974 and was runner-up to Joe Namath as Jets MVP that year. He was the captain of the offensive unit and started 13 games, missing the last game because of a sprained ankle. Emerson finished 11th in the AFC in rushing with 563 yards on 153 carries, four touchdowns and a 3.7 average.
Emerson opened 1974 with a 116-yard effort against Kansas City and put together other strong performances against Chicago, Los Angeles and New England. He caught a five-yard touchdown pass in overtime to defeat the rival Giants, and also gained 58 yards and caught four passes for 42 yards. Boozer broke the 5,000-yard barrier against he Dolphins with a 41-yard effort.
His 52 career rushing touchdowns are tops among NFL active players. He has always been known for his 'nose' for the goal line. In his second year (1967) he suffered a major knee injury that required surgery; he had already scored 13 touchdowns, only six short of the AFL record. Emerson drew praise for his work during the AFL Championship and as a blocker for Matt Snell in the Jets Super Bowl upset of the Colts.
Emerson picks up the blitz well and his bouncey, high-kneed style in his early years is now modified to smoother, smarter running. He leads the Jets in career rushing attempts (1,291) and in most yards rushing in a career (5,135). He holds the Jet records for most touchdowns rushing in a game (three, done five times), season (11) and career (52). Emerson's biggest rushing game of his career came against Philadelphia in 1973, 160 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown; he's gained 100 or more yards in a game nine times. He has caught 139 career passes for 1,448 yards, 12 touchdowns and a 10.7 average.
Emerson was a two-time All-America. He carried 374 times for 2,537 yards in four varsity seasons, averaging 6.8, with 22 touchdowns. He majored in industrial education.
Born on the Fourth of July, Emerson does an excellent job on speaking tours in the off-season. He has had a daily radio show in the past and looks to a career as a broadcaster. Extremely articulate, Emerson guest hosted the John Sterling daily radio show in 1975. He's extremely interested in youth-related projects, plays for the Jets basketball team and makes his year-round home in Huntington Station, New York. His hometown is Augusta, Georgia."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide