Lionel Manuel

Receptions:	232
Receiving yards:	3,941
Touchdowns:	23

Lionel Manuel
No. 86, 80
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	April 13, 1962 (age 62); Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	178 lb (81 kg)
Career information
High school:	Bassett ; (La Puente, California)
College:	Pacific
NFL draft:	1984 / round: 7 / pick: 171
Career history
	New York Giants (1984–1990); Buffalo Bills (1991); Barcelona Dragons (1992);
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
	Super Bowl champion (XXI);
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:
Receptions:	232
Receiving yards:	3,941
Touchdowns:	23
	Player stats at PFR

Lionel Manuel Jr. (born April 13, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pacific Tigers. Manuel was selected in the seventh round (171st pick overall) of the 1984 NFL draft by the New York Giants, and played seven seasons in the NFL.

Early life

Manuel was born in Los Angeles, California and attended Bassett High School.^[1] He played college football at Citrus College before transferring to the University of the Pacific where he played wide receiver and running back for the Pacific Tigers.^[2]

Professional career

The 5'11, 180-lb wide receiver was selected in the seventh round of the 1984 NFL draft by the New York Giants, and played in seven NFL seasons. Manuel spent his entire career with the Giants (1984–1990), including the XXI Giants Super Bowl Team when they beat the Denver Broncos 39–20. His peak performance was during the 1988 season, when he caught 65 passes for 1,029 yards and scored four touchdowns.

Manuel's career ended after several injuries in the 1990 season when he played under Head Coach Bill Parcells. The Giants finished the 1990 season 13–3, and won the Super Bowl XXV against the Buffalo Bills 20–19.^[3] Parcells waived Manuel in December 1990, citing Manuel's poor attitude after losing his starting position.^[4] Manuel then signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent but was waived due to injuries and did not play for the team.^[5] Manuel played European football with the Barcelona Dragons before retiring in 1993.^[6]

NFL career statistics

Legend
	Won the Super Bowl
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
Year	Team	GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
1984	NYG	16	5	33	619	18.8	53	4
1985	NYG	12	12	49	859	17.5	51	5
1986	NYG	4	4	11	181	16.5	35	3
1987	NYG	12	12	30	545	18.2	50	6
1988	NYG	16	16	65	1,029	15.8	46	4
1989	NYG	16	12	33	539	16.3	49	1
1990	NYG	14	0	11	169	15.4	19	0
		90	61	232	3,941	17.0	53	23

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
Year	Team	GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
1984	NYG	2	1	5	84	16.8	25	0
1985	NYG	2	2	3	56	18.7	21	0
1986	NYG	3	1	5	79	15.8	25	1
1989	NYG	1	1	1	24	24.0	24	0
		8	5	14	243	17.4	25	1

Life after the NFL

Manuel went on to coach several college football teams including The LaVerne Leopards,^[7] and later became a professional chef and restaurateur after attending the Scottsdale Culinary Institute.^[8] Manuel worked as a high school varsity coach in Fontana, California. Manuel was inducted into the University of the Pacific Hall of Fame in 2012.^[9]

References

^ "The Day That Lester Hayes Fell Silent". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
^ "Lionel Manuel". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
^ "This Lionel Is Fresh and Ready to Roll". Los Angeles Times. January 23, 1987. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
^ Litsky, Frank (December 19, 1990). "Giants Waive Manuel, Citing a Bad Attitude". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
^ "Bills Waive Wide Receiver Manuel". philly.com. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
^ "1992 Barcelona Dragons Stats". The Football Database. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
^ "Football welcomes new assistants". University of LaVerne. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
^ "Griddle replaces gridiron". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
^ "Pacific Athletics Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Set For April 21, 2012". Pacific Athletics. Retrieved October 22, 2013.