NFL Records
Gifford Nielsen is a former quarterback out of BYU, selected by the Houston Texans with the 73rd overall pick (round 3) in the 1978 NFL Draft. His pro career included stints with the Houston Oilers.
Draft Details
Gifford Nielsen Career Stats
- WAC Offensive Player of the Year (1976)
- First-team All-American (1976)
- BYU Cougars No. 14 retired
Career Totals
| Passing attempts | Passing completions | Completion percentage | TD–INT | Passing yards | Passer rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 498 | 273 | 54.8% | 20–22 | 3,255 | 70 |
Career History
- Houston Oilers (1978–1983)
Born: Provo, Utah, U.S. · Height: 6-4
Draft Class Context
Gifford Nielsen was the 4th of 11 QBs selected in the 1978 draft. The 73rd overall pick has been used 59 times in draft history. Its most productive selection was Jamaal Charles in 2008, who played 120 games. BYU had 3 players drafted in 1978, among them Todd Christensen and Mekeli Ieremia. Career statistics for him are not currently held in this database; coverage is thinner for earlier draft classes.
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