“Our Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Don Maynard,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “He was a resilient man on and off the field -- and someone that his teammates could always count on.”
Maynard, who joined the Jets as its first signee in 1960 when they were the New York Titans, helped lead the Jets to victory in Super Bowl III, and became Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath’s go-to receiver as the Jets offense dominated the decade, NFL.com reported.
According to ESPN, Maynard was professional football’s all-time leading receiver when he retired, amassing 633 receptions for 11,834 yards. He also averaged 18.7 yards per catch with 88 touchdowns.
Maynard played a total of 15 seasons combined in the American and National Football Leagues between 1958 and 1973, with one season spent in the Canadian Football League, the sports news network reported.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
“Don Maynard is as essential to the history of the New York Jets as anyone. He came to this franchise at our inception and left a Super Bowl champion,” the Jets said in a prepared statement. “On the field, he cemented himself as many things: record holder, Hall of Famer, and forever our No. 13. Off the field, he was unflinchingly himself -- a family man who stayed true to his roots, bringing a Texas cowboy to New York.”
The franchise called Maynard’s passing “especially difficult” because he remained close with the organization throughout his life.
“Our thoughts today are with his family and loved ones. We will all miss him,” the Jets’ statement concluded.
Maynard, who worked as a financial planner and owned his own consulting firm, was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Maynard. He is survived by a daughter and a son.
- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Don Maynard Wide receiver Don Maynard of the St. Louis Cardinals is pictured, Sept. 1973. (AP Photo) (AP)
Don Maynard Former New York Jet Don Maynard attends the New York Jets Super Bowl III 50th anniversary dinner at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Joe Russo/Invision/AP) (Joe Russo/Joe Russo/Invision/AP)
Don Maynard FILE - New York Giants football players Don Maynard, left, and Frank Gifford are shown in New York, Oct. 21, 1958. Don Maynard, a Hall of Fame receiver who made his biggest impact catching passes from Joe Namath in the wide-open AFL, has died. He was 86. The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed Maynard's death on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, through his family. (AP Photo/Harry Harris, File) (Harry Harris/AP)
Don Maynard FILE - Don Maynard is introduced before the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Fest Friday, May 2, 2014, at the International Exposition Center in Cleveland. Don Maynard, a Hall of Fame receiver who made his biggest impact catching passes from Joe Namath in the wide-open AFL, has died. He was 86. The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed Maynard's death on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, through his family. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File) (Mark Duncan/AP)
Don Maynard East All-Star flanker Don Maynard (13) goes high in the air only to lose a pass in the end zone from East quarterback Joe Namath, both of the New York Jets in the AFL, All-Star game in Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 21, 1968. Breaking up the pass is West All-Star back from Kansas City Johnny Robinson (42). (AP Photo) (Anonymous/AP)
Don Maynard Former New York Jet Don Maynard participates in a ceremony before an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) (Bill Kostroun /AP)
Don Maynard Don Maynard is shown at home in his Long Beach, Long Island home with his family, Scott, 6, and wife Marilyn, Dec. 3, 1968. (AP Photo/Harry Harris) (Harry Harris/AP)
Don Maynard FILE - Former New York Jets wide receiver Wesley Walker, left, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath, center, and Hall of Fame wide receiver Don Maynard, right, participate in a New York Jets Ring of Honor ceremony honoring former Jets defensive tackle Marty Lyons during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. Don Maynard, a Hall of Fame receiver who made his biggest impact catching passes from Joe Namath in the wide-open AFL, has died. He was 86. The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed Maynard's death on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, through his family. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File) (Kathy Willens/AP)
Don Maynard Hall of Famers Don Maynard, front row from left, Bob Brown, Joe Namath, and Rayfield Wright wait for a group photo before a private event in advance of the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame fan fest, Friday, May 2, 2014, in Cleveland. The fan fest will feature appearances, autograph and photo sessions with more than 100 Hall of Famers Saturday and Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) (Mark Duncan/AP)
Don Maynard FILE - New York Jets' Don Maynard, left, and Joe Namath watch from the bench dureing a football game against the Cleveland Browns Jets quarterback Joe Namath, resting an ankle injury, nestles against the cold as he sits out game against Cleveland Browns at Shea Stadium in New York on Dec. 17, 1972. In some shots wide receiver Don Maynard (single face bar) sits next to him. Don Maynard, a Hall of Fame receiver who made his biggest impact catching passes from Joe Namath in the wide-open AFL, has died. He was 86. The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed Maynard's death on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, through his family.(AP Photo/Harry Harris, File) (Harry Harris/AP)
Don Maynard Former New York Jets player Don Maynard signs autographs beore an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Don Maynard Marilyn Maynard, 31-yar-old wife of Don Maynard, the New York Jets flanker, gets the feel of his long sideburns in their Long Beach, N.Y., home, Dec. 4, 1968. She says superstitious Don won't cut his sideburns until the Jets lose a game. "When Don gets nervous, I can sense it," Marilyn adds. "When this happens I keep the kids quiet and talk about anything but football." (AP Photo/Harry Harris) (Harry Harris/AP)
Don Maynard FILE - Don Maynard, wide receiver for the New York Jets, shown in 1970. Don Maynard, a Hall of Fame receiver who made his biggest impact catching passes from Joe Namath in the wide-open AFL, has died. He was 86. The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed Maynard's death on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, through his family. (AP Photo/File) (AP)
Don Maynard New York Jets flanker Don Maynard works out at Shea Stadium, Dec. 16, 1969, for the first time since he injured his right foot in a game three weeks ago. Coach Weeb Eubank conceded that Maynard is still a question mark for Saturday's game against Kansas City, the first of the playoff games that will send an AFL team to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Spencer Jones) (Spencer Jones/AP)
Don Maynard Jim Turner, left, of the New York jets is presented with trophy as the New York Catholic Youth Organization's most popular player, by Thomas Lambertson, 11, at New York's Shea Stadium, Dec. 1, 1968. At right is Don Maynard, last year's most popular Jet. Maynard receives his trophy from Kevin Rehill. At rear is Msgr. Philip J. Murphy, New York CYO director. Last year award was not presented due to the death of Cardinal Francis Spellman. (AP Photo/Harry Harris) (HARRY HARRIS/AP - New York)
Don Maynard FILE - Hall of Fame wide receiver Don Maynard, left, waves to fans as he stands beside quarterback Joe Namath during a halftime ceremony honoring the 1968 New York Jets during a Jets NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008. Don Maynard, a Hall of Fame receiver who made his biggest impact catching passes from Joe Namath in the wide-open AFL, has died. He was 86. The Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed Maynard's death on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, through his family. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File) (Kathy Willens/AP)
Don Maynard New York Jets star pass receiver Don Maynard displays a story-telling AP photo form his bed in New York's Lenox Hill Hospital, Nov. 25, 1969. Photo shows Maynard in the air as he was hit by Cincinnati Bengal Ken Riley in the Nov. 23 AFL game at Shea Stadium. Maynard incurred a fractured cuneiform bone in the instep of his right foot as a result of the collision and may be out for a month. (AP Photo/Anthony Camerano) (Anthony Camerano/AP)