From Jackson State, Vernon Perry signed with the Montreal Alouettes as a free agent for the 1977 season. Perry dressed in all 16 games and had an excellent season with 9 interceptions, including one run back 92 yards for a touchdown. Perry's promising career in the CFL, however, lasted only four games into the 1978 season.
It was not that Perry was washed up, but that he had attracted the attention of the NFL. Perry joned he Houston Oilers in 1979 and played four seaasons for them until 1982 and then one final season with New Orleans in 1983.
Perry's best moments in the NFL progably came in the playoffs in 1979. Against San Diego, he blocked a fieldgoal and returned it 57 yards. He also had four interceptions. The following week against Terry Bradshaw andPittsburgh, he intercepted another pass and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown (see video below).
Interview with Vernon Perry (YouTube)
Vernon Perry's Interception for Houston Against Pittsburgh (YouTube)
| Year | Team | GP | Int | Yds | Avg | TDInt | Long | FR | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | MON | 16 | 9 | 224 | 24.9 | 1 | 92 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1978 | MON | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No tackle, knockdown or sack stats were kept during these years.
