He played college football for Lincoln University of Missouri in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was a running back and a four-year letter-winner from 1966 to 1969. In 1969, he set the school's record for longest punt return when he returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown against Southwest Missouri State University. He also set school records for most punt return yards in a game and highest average per punt return in that game. That year, Parrish averaged 16.8 yards per punt return. That, and his career average of 15.5 yards per return, are still school records. He was named All-American in 1969.
Professional career
Cincinnati Bengals
After graduating college, he was selected by the Bengals in the seventh round of the 1970 NFL Draft. Parrish immediately made an impact, not just as a defensive back but also as a kick returner on special teams. In his 1970 rookie season, Parrish recorded five interceptions, one fumble recovery, 194 yards returning punts, 482 yards returning kickoffs, and scored two touchdowns. His 482 kickoff return yards came on just 16 returns, a whopping 30.1 yards per return average. In 1974, Parrish set a franchise record with an NFL-leading 18.8 yards per punt return average. In his eight seasons with the Bengals, Parrish was selected to the Pro Bowl six times. After the 1977 season, Parrish got into a contract dispute with the Bengals, and was traded to the Redskins. Parrish left the Bengals as the team's all-time leader in touchdowns scored by "return or recovery" with 13. He was also the only player in franchise history ever to score two "return or recovery" touchdowns in a single game, a feat he accomplished three times. In a 1970 game against the Bills, he scored touchdowns on a 95-yard kickoff return and an 83-yard blocked field goal return. In a 1972 game against the Houston Oilers, he scored touchdowns on interception returns of 25 and 33 yards. In a 1974 game against Washington, he scored touchdowns on a 93-yard punt return and 47-yard fumble return. Parrish also left as the Bengals' all-time leader in punt return yards with 1,201, and held the franchise record for punt return yards in a season with 338 in 1974.
Washington Redskins
With the Redskins, Parrish was no longer used as a kick returner, but he still made a big impact, recording nine interceptions in his first year with them, and seven the year after that. He made the Pro Bowl two more times with Washington, in 1979 and 1980. Parrish played with Redskins until 1981.
Buffalo Bills
Parrish spent his final season with Bills before retiring in 1982.
Legacy
In his 13 NFL seasons, Parrish recorded 47 interceptions for 462 yards, 13 fumble recoveries for 65 return yards, 131 punt returns for 1,205 yards, 61 kickoffs for 1,504 yards, and 13 touchdowns. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection. The Professional Football Researchers Association named Parish to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2013
