Joseph Ray Townsell (born November 4, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) and United States Football League (USFL).
Townsell attended Hug High School in Reno, Nevada, where he earned all-Zone and all-State honors; in 2004, he was inducted into the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame.
Townsell attended University of California, Los Angeles, where he was a sociology major. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins; he was a four-year starter from 1979 to 1982.
On October 25, 1980, he had a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown in a 32âÂÂ9 UCLA win against California.
On September 11, 1982, he set a UCLA record with four receiving touchdowns in one game, a 41âÂÂ10 UCLA win against Long Beach State. For the 1982 season, he was named second-team All-Pac-10.
In April 1983, Townsell was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 1983 NFL draft, and participated in Jets mini-camps. However, in June 1983, he signed a four-year, $110,000 per year, contract with the Los Angeles Express of the USFL. Two days after signing, in his first USFL game, Townsell had the game-winning receiving touchdown in a 17âÂÂ13 Express win against the Arizona Wranglers.
On April 14, 1984, he had a USFL-record 249 receiving yards in a game against the Memphis Showboats.
In August 1985, he bought out his USFL contract and signed a three-year contract with the Jets.
On December 13, 1986, Townsell recorded a 93-yard kickoff return touchdown, in a 24âÂÂ45 Jets loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 1989, Townsell led the Jets with 787 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns. He was named the Jets MVP for the 1989 season.
In week 5 of the 1990 season, Townsell suffered a turf toe injury; in June 1991, he had surgery to remove a bone in his big toe.
Townsell retired from professional football on October 25, 1991.
He is married to his wife, Suzi; they have two daughters.
In 1997, Townsell and Suzi founded the Me-For-Incredible-Youth (MeFiYi) Foundation, a non-profit organization which aims to help Nevada youth.