Raymond Berry, the Hall of Fame wide receiver whose relentless attention to detail helped redefine his position and later guided the New England Patriots to their first Super Bowl appearance as a coach, died May 25 at his home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was 93.

Berry spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Baltimore Colts from 1955-67, forming one of football’s most productive partnerships with quarterback Johnny Unitas. Together, they helped the Colts win NFL championships in 1958 and 1959 and became central figures in the league’s rise to national prominence.

MORE: Former Patriots DB announces immediate retirement from NFL at 28

A 20th-round draft pick out of SMU, Berry lacked elite speed and size. His precise route running and tireless practice habits made him one of the greatest receivers of his era.

By the time he retired, he held NFL career records with 631 receptions and 9,275 receiving yards. He finished with 68 touchdown catches, earned six Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.

Berry delivered one of the defining performances in league history during the 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants, catching 12 passes for 178 yards in a contest later known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”

MORE: Former Seahawks, Vikings quarterback announces immediate retirement from NFL at 28

The Colts retired his No. 82 jersey, and he remains widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Colts history.

“Simply put, not only was Raymond Berry one the greatest players in the history of the Colts, but he was one of the most influential and foundational players of the modern NFL,” the team said in a statement. “More than anything, Raymond was devoted to his faith and his family. We’re grateful his family was able to be with him at the end, and we hope they know Colts fans and all fans of the NFL share their sadness today.”

After retiring as a player, Berry moved into coaching. His most notable success came with the Patriots, whom he took over during the 1984 season. One year later, New England reached Super Bowl XX, the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Berry coached the Patriots through 1989 and finished his head-coaching career with a 48-39 record.

Berry is survived by his wife, Sally, their three children and nine grandchildren. His legacy endures in the modern passing game, where preparation and precision remain the standard he helped establish.