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- 1955 NFL season
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Buffalo, New York
Buffalo (
/ˈbʌfəloʊ/) is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area, the largest in Upstate New York. Buffalo itself has a population of 261,310 (2010 Census) and the Buffalo–Niagara–Cattaraugus Combined Statistical Area is home to 1,215,826 residents.
Originating around 1789 as a small trading community near the eponymous Buffalo Creek, Buffalo grew quickly after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, with the city as its western terminus. By 1900, Buffalo was the 8th largest city in the United States, and went on to become a major railroad hub, and the largest grain-milling center in the country. The latter part of the 20th century saw a reversal of fortunes: Great Lakes shipping was rerouted by the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, and steel mills and other heavy industry relocated to places such as China. With the start of Amtrak in the 1970s, Buffalo Central Terminal was also abandoned, and trains were rerouted to nearby Depew, New York (Buffalo-Depew) and Exchange Street Station. By 1990 the city had fallen back below its 1900 population levels.
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Indianapolis
Indianapolis /ˌɪndiəˈnæpɵlɨs/ (abbreviated Indy /ˈɪndi/) is the capital of the US state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 829,718. It is Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S. Census, is the 12th largest city in the U.S., the second largest city in the Midwest (behind Chicago), the second most populous state capital (after Phoenix, Arizona), and the most populous state capital east of the Mississippi River. Indianapolis is also one of the fastest growing regions in the United States.
For much of its history, Indianapolis has oriented itself around government and industry, particularly manufacturing. Today, Indianapolis has a much more diversified economy, contributing to the fields of education, health care, and finance. Tourism is also a vital part of the economy of Indianapolis, and the city plays host to numerous conventions and sporting events. Of these, perhaps the most well known is the annual Indianapolis 500 and the NHRA U.S. Nationals. Other major sporting events include the Brickyard 400 and the Men's and Women's NCAA Basketball Tournaments. 2012 marked the first time Indianapolis hosted the Super Bowl. Super Bowl XLVI was played at Lucas Oil Stadium, on February 5, 2012 in Downtown Indianapolis. Also held in Lucas Oil Stadium is the Drum Corps International World Championships, and the Music for All Bands of America Grand National Championships.
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Kentucky
Kentucky (
i/kɨnˈtʌki/), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state located in the Upper South of the United States. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth (the others being Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts). Originally a part of Virginia, in 1792 Kentucky became the 15th state to join the Union. Kentucky is the 37th most extensive and the 26th most populous of the 50 United States.
Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State", a nickname based on the fact that bluegrass is present in many of the pastures throughout the state, because of the fertile soil. It made possible the breeding of high-quality livestock, especially thoroughbred racing horses. It is a land with diverse environments and abundant resources, including the world's longest cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park; the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States; and the two largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River. It is also home to the highest per capita number of deer and turkey in the United States, the largest free-ranging elk herd east of Montana, and the nation's most productive coalfield. Kentucky is also known for horse racing, bourbon distilleries, bluegrass music, automobile manufacturing, tobacco and college basketball.
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Lithuania
Lithuania (i/ˌlɪθuːˈeɪniə/ or /ˌlɪθjuːˈeɪniə/; Lithuanian: Lietuva), officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublika) is a country in Northern Europe, the largest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark. It borders Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, Poland to the south, and a Russian exclave (Kaliningrad Oblast) to the southwest. Lithuania has an estimated population of 3.2 million as of 2011, and its capital and largest city is Vilnius. The Lithuanians are a Baltic people, and the official language, Lithuanian, is one of only two living languages (together with Latvian) in the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family.
For centuries, the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea was inhabited by various Baltic tribes. In the 1230s the Lithuanian lands were united by Mindaugas, who was crowned as King of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the first Lithuanian state, on 6 July 1253. During the 14th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was the largest country in Europe: present-day Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Poland and Russia were territories of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. With the Lublin Union of 1569, Lithuania and Poland formed a voluntary two-state union, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Commonwealth lasted more than two centuries, until neighboring countries systematically dismantled it from 1772 to 1795, with the Russian Empire annexing most of Lithuania's territory.
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Maryland
Maryland (i/ˈmɛrɨlənd/) is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east. Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution, and three nicknames for it (the Old Line State, the Free State, and the Chesapeake Bay State) are occasionally used. Maryland is the 9th smallest state by area, but the 19th most populous and the 5th most densely populated of the 50 United States. The state's most populated city is Baltimore. Its capital is Annapolis. It was named after Queen Henrietta Maria.
Maryland has an area of 12,406.68 square miles (32,133.2 km2) and is comparable in overall area with the European country of Belgium (11,787 square miles (30,530 km2)). It is the 42nd largest/9th smallest state, and is closest in size to Hawaii (10,930.98 square miles (28,311.1 km2)), the next smallest state. The next largest state, Maryland's neighbor West Virginia, is almost twice the size of Maryland (24,229.76 square miles (62,754.8 km2)).
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Murray State
Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with more than 10,600 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years (non-doctoral degree granting universities). In addition to the main campus, Murray State University operates extended campuses offering upper level and graduate courses in Paducah, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Henderson.
The history of Murray State University can be traced to the passage of Senate Bill 14 by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which created two normal schools to address the growing demand for professional teachers. One would be in the western part of the state, which caused many cities and towns to bid for the new normal school. Rainey T. Wells spoke on behalf of the city of Murray to convince the Normal School Commission to choose his city. On September 2, 1922, Murray was chosen as the site of the western normal school, while Morehead was chosen for the eastern normal school. On November 26, 1922, John Wesley Carr was elected the first president of the Murray State Normal School by the State Board of Education. Believing it had the authority to elect the president, the Normal School Commission picked Rainey Wells to be the first president. On May 15, 1923, The Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled for the State Board of Education, and Carr would become Murray's first president.
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RCA Dome
RCA Dome (originally Hoosier Dome) was a domed stadium, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons (1984–2007).
It was completed at a cost of $77.5 million, as part of the Indiana Convention Center, with the costs split between private and public money.
It was demolished in December 2008, as part of a project to expand the attached convention center.
The roof was made up of teflon-coated fiberglass and weighed 257 tons, which was held up by the air pressure inside the building.
The ceiling was 193 feet (59 m) high, though the height varied up to five feet as the materials expanded and contracted with the weather.
As was the case with other domes of this style (the Metrodome, BC Place, the Carrier Dome, and the Pontiac Silverdome) there were warning signs posted cautioning patrons of the high winds at the doors when exiting.
It was similar in design and appearance to the Metrodome and the previous BC Place roof, owing in great part to the involvement of engineers David Geiger and Walter Bird, pioneers in air-supported roofs.
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Timonium, Maryland
Timonium is a census-designated place (CDP) in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 9,925. Prior to 2010 the area was part of the Lutherville-Timonium CDP. The Maryland State Fair is held in Timonium each year near Labor Day.
Timonium is located at 39°26′26″N 76°37′34″W / 39.44056°N 76.62611°W / 39.44056; -76.62611 (39.4441, -76.6076). According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.4 square miles (13.9 km2), all of it land.
The town is north of Baltimore City along York Road (Maryland Route 45). It is bordered on the north by Cockeysville, on the south by Lutherville, on the east by Loch Raven Reservoir, and on the west by Interstate 83. Ridgely Road forms the boundary between Timonium and Lutherville, while Padonia Road separates Timonium from Cockeysville.
Timonium is located in the Piedmont region of the United States, and lies in the transition zone between the Humid subtropical climate zone to the south and the humid continental climate to the north, with hot and humid summers leading into winters that are cold but not extreme by American standards. The average annual snowfall is 25 inches (64 cm) and average annual rainfall is 42 inches (107 cm).
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Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Named for Saint Thomas of Villanova, the school is the oldest Catholic university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Founded in 1842 by the Order of Saint Augustine, the university traces its roots to old Saint Augustine's Church, Philadelphia, which the Augustinian friars founded in 1796, and to its parish school, Saint Augustine's Academy, which was established in 1811.
In October 1841, two Augustinian friars from Saint Augustine's Church in Philadelphia purchased the 200-acre (0.81 km2) "Belle Air" estate in Radnor Township with the intention of starting a school. The school, which was called the "Augustinian College of Vilanova," opened in 1842. However, the Philadelphia Nativist Riots of 1844 that burned Saint Augustine's Church in Philadelphia caused financial difficulties for the Augustinians, and the college was closed in February 1845. The college reopened in 1846 and graduated its first class in 1847. In March 1848, the governor of Pennsylvania incorporated the school and gave it the power to grant degrees. In 1859, the first master's degree was conferred on a student. In 1857, the school closed again as the demand for priests in Philadelphia prevented adequate staffing, and the crisis of the Panic of 1857 strained the school financially. The school remained closed throughout the Civil War and reopened in September 1865; since then it has operated continuously.
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Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers. Rodgers played college football at the University of California, Berkeley, where he set several California Golden Bears records, including lowest interception rate at 1.43%.
Professionally, Rodgers is the NFL's all-time career leader in passer rating during both the regular season with a rating of 104.1, and the post-season with a rating of 105.5 – among passers with at least 1,500 and 150 pass attempts respectively. He also holds the league's lowest career pass interception percentage for quarterbacks during the regular season with a percentage of 1.80%, and the single season passer rating record of 122.5. Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to win Super Bowl XLV and was named Super Bowl MVP. As a result, he was named Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2011.
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Ace Parker
Clarence "Ace" Parker, (born May 17, 1912) is a former quarterback who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1937–1941), Boston Yanks (1945), and the New York Yankees. He was an All-American tailback at Duke University in 1936. Parker also played Major League Baseball during 1936 and 1937 with the Philadelphia Athletics.
Ace Parker was the son of Ernest and Mabel Parker and grew up near Norfolk, Virginia. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, graduating with the class of 1933 and starring in five sports. He enrolled at Duke University as a freshman in 1933.
At Duke, Parker competed in three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. From 1934 - 1936, he starred at tailback, doing most of the running and passing for Duke. He was second team All-American in 1935 and consensus All-American first team in 1936. He placed sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1936. Parker was a great open-field runner and one of the best punters in college football at the time. His 105 yard kickoff return against North Carolina is still a Duke school record. Parker also stood out as a baseball player at Duke, playing in 1935-1936.
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Adrian Peterson
Adrian Lewis Peterson (born March 21, 1985), nicknamed "A. D." (for "All Day"), "A. P." and "Purple Jesus", is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Peterson was selected by the Vikings with the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma.
While at Oklahoma, Peterson set the NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards as a true freshman during the 2004 season. As a First-team All-American, he became the first freshman to finish as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting behind USC quarterback Matt Leinart. Peterson finished his college football career as the Sooners' third all-time leading rusher.
Following his stellar first pro season in which he set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game (296), Peterson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was then awarded the MVP award for his performance in the Pro Bowl and became only the fifth player in NFL history to have more than 3,000 yards through his first two seasons. In 2010, he became the fifth fastest player to run for 5,000 yards, doing so in his 51st game. Currently, Peterson has the fourth highest average rushing yards per game total in NFL history (min. 50 games) with an average of 92.5, trailing Jim Brown (104.3), Barry Sanders (99.8) and Terrell Davis (97.5).
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Al Davis
Allen "Al" Davis (July 4, 1929 – October 8, 2011) was an American football executive. He was the principal owner of the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League from 1972 to 2011. His motto for the team was "Just win, baby."
Born to Rose and Louis Davis in a "relatively affluent" Jewish family in Brockton, Massachusetts, Davis spent his youth in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn and attended Erasmus Hall High School. In contrast to the outlaw image he would later take on, as a teenager Davis won an American Legion medal for "all-around kid."
He attended Wittenberg University and Syracuse University, where he earned a degree in English. Upon graduation, he began his coaching career as the line coach at Adelphi College from 1950 to 1951. From there Davis served as the head coach of the U.S. Army team at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia from 1952 to 1953. His next coaching assignment was as the line coach and chief recruiter for The Citadel. From 1957 to 1959 Davis was an offensive line coach at the University of Southern California.
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Alan Ameche
Lino Dante "Alan" Ameche (March 1, 1933 – August 8, 1988), nicknamed "The Horse", was an American football player who played six seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League after winning the Heisman Trophy in college at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons in the league. He is famous for scoring the winning touchdown in the 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants, labeled "The Greatest Game Ever Played."
After emigrating to the United States in the late 1930s, his family returned for a year to Italy. The family then returned to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Alan attended Mary D. Bradford High School. Alan was a cousin of noted actors Don Ameche and Jim Ameche. With colleague (and former Colts teammate) Gino Marchetti, Alan Ameche founded the Gino's Hamburgers chain. The Baltimore-based Ameche's Drive-in restaurants were named for him. Ameche died in Houston, Texas.
Ameche earned All-America honors at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he played linebacker as well as fullback in single-platoon days. In four years as a Badger, he gained 3,212 yards, then the NCAA record, scored 25 touchdowns, and averaged 4.8 yards a carry. Ameche won the Heisman in 1954.
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Alan Page
Alan Cedric Page (born August 7, 1945) is an associate justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1963, received his B.A. in political science from the University of Notre Dame in 1967, and received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978. Page is particularly notable for the fact that he is both a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and an Associate Justice with the Minnesota Supreme Court. Page is married to Diane Sims Page and is the father of four children, Nina, Georgi, Justin and Kamie.
Page attended and graduated from Central Catholic High School, Canton, OH, 1964. He starred in several sports and excelled in football. Page also worked on a construction team that erected the Pro Football Hall of Fame, laying the groundwork for the building where he would one day be immortalized.
Following high school, Page attended the University of Notre Dame, where he led the school’s storied football program to a national championship in 1966. That same year, Page was named a college football All-American for his achievements on the field.
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Alex Karras
Alexander George "Alex" Karras (born July 15, 1935), nicknamed "The Mad Duck", is an American football player, professional wrestler, and actor.
He played football with the Detroit Lions in the National Football League from 1958–1962 and 1964-1970. As an actor, Karras is noted for his role as the thuggish Mongo in the 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles, and for starring in the ABC sitcom Webster (1983-87), alongside real-life wife Susan Clark, as the titular character's adoptive father.
Alex Karras is the son of Dr. George Karras, a Greek immigrant (Chios) who graduated from the University of Chicago and got his medical degree in Canada. There, George Karras met and married a Canadian woman, Alex's mother. George Karras opened a medical practice in Gary, Indiana, but he died when Alex was 13 years old. By that time, Alex Karras had learned to play football in a parking lot near his home, and he blossomed into a four-time Indiana all-state selection at Gary Emerson High School.
His older brothers, Lou (a future member of the Redskins) and Ted (who later played with the Bears and Lions), had played at Purdue but later Ted transferred to Indiana. Because of this, Alex said, "Indiana had the inside track" on recruiting him, but shortly after he graduated high school, several coaches from the University of Iowa took Karras up to Spencer, Iowa, and persuaded him to sign with the Hawkeyes. The coaches had taken Karras to secluded Spencer to keep him away from rival recruiters.
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Alex Sandusky
Alexander Vincent Sandusky (born August 17, 1932 in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania) is a former guard who played thirteen seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League. Sandusky attended Clarion State College (now known as Clarion University).
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Alex Spanos
Alexander Gus Spanos (born September 28, 1923 in Stockton, California) is an American real estate developer and self-made billionaire of Greek origin who founded the A. G. Spanos Companies and owns the San Diego Chargers.
Spanos earned varsity letters in running and diving at the University of the Pacific in Stockton and later distinguished himself as an amateur golfer. He trained as a pilot during WWII and in the early days flew his own corporate aircraft. Spanos was the first person ever to be on the winning teams in both the Bob Hope Desert Classic in Palm Desert (1977) and the Bob Hope British Pro-Am (1980).
Spanos was one of the largest contributors to George W. Bush's reelection campaign in 2004. By contributing $5 million to 527 groups that supported the Bush campaign in 2004, Spanos ranked among the top five GOP donors. President Bush appointed Spanos to the Kennedy Center board in 2004. Spanos was inducted into the California Building Industry Hall of Fame in 2005. Spanos also received the AHEPA Award, an award that recognizes members of the community for their contributions and achievements in their chosen field of endeavor.
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Alex Wojciechowicz
Alexander Francis Wojciechowicz (pronounced /woʊdʒɨˈhoʊwɨts/; August 12, 1915 – July 13, 1992) was a professional American football player in the National Football League. He was an NFL Hall of Famer as an offensive lineman and linebacker for the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
Producer Danny Arnold, a New Yorker and fan of Fordham University athletics, named one of the detectives on the sitcom Barney Miller Stan Wojciehowicz, in honor of Wojie.
He played college football at Fordham University, the center on the famed Seven Blocks of Granite offensive line, which included an undersized right guard named Vince Lombardi. He was named All-American in 1936 and 1937 and was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.
Wojciechowicz was the Detroit Lions' first pick in the 1938 NFL Draft and won the starting center job in his first game as a Lion. Even though the Lions were in decline as a team, Alex would play with full effort on both offense and defense. In 1944, he demonstrated his defensive talents when he intercepted seven passes, a Lions record for several years. Although Wojciechowicz received his fair share of personal recognition, he yearned to play on a championship team. That never happened in Detroit. But when he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in the middle of the 1946 season, the two-time All-Pro selection joined a team that seemed poised to deliver him his dream.
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Andy Robustelli
Andrew Richard "Andy" Robustelli (December 6, 1925 – May 31, 2011) was an American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. He played college football at Arnold College and was drafted in the nineteenth round of the 1951 NFL Draft. Robustelli was a seven-time First-team All-pro selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Robustelli was born on December 6, 1925 in Stamford, Connecticut, to Lucien Robustelli, an Italian-American and his wife Catherine Robustelli. He attended Stamford High School, where he excelled in football and baseball. At age 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS William C. Cole in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he attended Arnold College, in Milford, Connecticut, where he played both football and baseball. After college, he was drafted in the NFL by the Los Angeles Rams in the nineteenth round of the 1951 NFL Draft. In June, 1951, he was offered a tryout with the New York Giants baseball club. The Giants offered Robustelli a $400 contract to play with their minor league affiliate Knoxville Smokies.
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Anthony Muñoz
Michael Anthony Muñoz (born August 19, 1958), is a Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle who played most of his career for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals. After missing much of the 1992 season battling knee and shoulder injuries, Muñoz attempted to play a 14th season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he was released before the season started and decided to retire shortly after.
Anthony Muñoz went to Chaffey High School. Muñoz played college football at the University of Southern California. He also played baseball there, pitching for USC’s national championship team in 1978.
Muñoz was the third overall pick in the 1980 National Football League draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. His selection was viewed as a major risk by many pundits since knee problems limited the 6 ft. 6 in., 280-pound Muñoz to just a combined eight games in his junior and senior seasons, though he did return for USC's 17-16 Rose Bowl win over Ohio State on New Year's Day 1980. However, Muñoz became a starter in his rookie season and remained a fixture at left tackle for the Bengals for 13 seasons and is considered one of, if not the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. Despite his history of injuries, Muñoz missed just three games during his first 12 seasons. His rigorous workout routine included working out in the weight room he had installed in his home and running three to four miles every day. In addition to his talents as a blocker, Anthony Muñoz was also a capable receiver, notching 7 receptions for 18 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns on tackle-eligible plays, including one in 1984 from left-handed rookie quarterback Boomer Esiason against their upstate rival, the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland.
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Art DeCarlo
Arthur Anthony DeCarlo, Jr. (born March 23, 1931 in Youngstown, Ohio) is a former American football defensive back and end in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of Georgia and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.
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Art Donovan
Arthur "The Bulldog" Donovan, Jr. (born June 5, 1925) is a former American football defensive tackle, better known as Art Donovan, who played for three National Football League teams, most notably the Baltimore Colts. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
He is the son of Arthur Donovan, Sr., a famed boxing referee, and the grandson of Professor Mike Donovan, the world middleweight boxing champion in the 1870s.
Art attended Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx. He spent four years in military service with the United States Marine Corps during WW II before playing college football at Boston College. He graduated in 1950.
In each of his first three seasons, Donovan played for a team which went out of business. He started out with the first Baltimore Colts, who folded after his rookie season in 1950, followed by the New York Yanks in 1951, and their successor, the Dallas Texans, in 1952. After the Texans franchise was moved to Baltimore in 1953 and became the (second) Colts, Donovan played with that team.. He became one of the stars in an outstanding defense and was selected to five straight Pro Bowls, from 1953 through 1957. The Colts won back-to-back championships in 1958 and 1959.
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Art Modell
Arthur B. Modell (born June 23, 1925) is an American businessman, entrepreneur and former National Football League team owner. He owned the Cleveland Browns franchise from 1961–1995 and the Baltimore Ravens franchise from 1996–2004. Modell is the grandson of the late Morris Modell who founded the northeast sporting goods store chain Modell's in 1889. He is also the son of late Modell's executive Henry Modell.
During the 1940s and 1950s, Modell worked in the advertising, public relations businesses and television production in New York City. He purchased the Cleveland Browns in 1961 for $4 million, investing only $250,000 of his own money (he borrowed $2.7 million and found partners for the rest).
Unlike the Browns' previous owners, Modell immediately took an active role in the management of the team, and fired legendary coach Paul Brown on January 9, 1963. He did so because Brown ignored his suggestions and overshadowed Modell. Paul Brown had won 7 league championships prior to Modell's acquisition of the team. After firing Brown, Modell quickly named Brown's assistant, Blanton Collier, as the new coach on January 16, 1963.
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Art Schlichter
Arthur Ernest Schlichter (born April 25, 1960) is a retired college and professional American football quarterback, sometimes known for his compulsive gambling and the legal problems that arose from it. His surname is pronounced "Sh-LEES-tuhr".
A native of Bloomingburg, Ohio, Schlichter was a star at Miami Trace High School, when his gambling habit began with a visit to Scioto Downs, a harness racing track near Columbus, Ohio. It remained his favorite track over the years.
Schlichter was a four-year starter at The Ohio State University. He was the last starting quarterback for legendary Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes. In fact, Schlichter threw the interception that lost the game and led to Hayes' assault on Clemson linebacker Charlie Bauman in the 1978 Gator Bowl--an act that led to his firing the next day. Schlichter finished in the top six of Heisman Trophy balloting during his last three years—fourth in his sophomore year, sixth as a junior and fifth in his senior year. He nearly led the Buckeyes to the national championship in 1979, and left the school as its career leader in total offense.
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Art Spinney
Arthur F. Spinney Jr. (born November 8, 1927 in Saugus, Massachusetts, died May 27, 1994 in Lynn, Massachusetts ) was a guard who played nine seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League. Spinney attended Boston College. He missed the 1951 and 1952 NFL seasons due to military service.
After his career he served as an offensive line coach for Boston College and the Boston Patriots under Mike Holovak and was also a public relations official. For a brief time, Spinney worked for the American Biltrite Rubber Company of Cambridge, MA, as a consultant to its Sports Surfaces Division. In 1972, along with Lawrence J. Warnalis of Medford, MA, Spinney was awarded U.S. Patent number 3661687 which recognized Biltrite's artificial grass product "Polyturf" as well as its associated layers of product, applied on top of asphalt, as the proper way to construct a football or soccer field with artificial turf. This provided maximum comfort and safety to the players.
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Avatus Stone
Avatus Stone was born on April 21, 1931 in Washington, D.C. and died on November 2, 2000 in Fairfax, Virginia.
After playing his college football at Syracuse University, Stone was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League in 1953, but played professionally in Canada with the Ottawa Rough Riders (from 1953 to 1956.) His best year was playing tailback in 1955 when he won the Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy as best player in the East. He played 7 games for the Montreal Alouettes in 1957, and finished his career in 1958 with the Baltimore Colts of the NFL, playing one game, and punting once for 28 yards.
Avatus Stone died of cancer on November 2, 2000. He is survived by his wife Sara Stone, daughter Ava, and his son Avatus.
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Babe Laufenberg
Brandon Hugh 'Babe' Laufenberg (born December 5, 1959 in Burbank, California) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He also played for the Ohio Glory in the World League of American Football.
Laufenberg is also credited with giving Daryl Johnston the nickname "Moose". In the offensive meetings, Johnston towered over the other fullbacks and Laufenberg said that Johnston looked like, "A moose in a herd of deer.".[citation needed] Laufenberg is currently the lead sports anchor and Sports Director for KTVT television in Dallas, Texas, and also serves as a color analyst on the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network. His co-host, Brad Sham, has called him the best color analyst in the business.
While most of Laufenberg's career NFL games were with the San Diego Chargers in 1988, he is best remembered for replacing an injured Troy Aikman for the Dallas Cowboys during the 1990 season, Emmitt Smith's first season with the team, when the Cowboys finished fourth in the NFC East. NFC East rivals New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins all made the playoffs that year.
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Bart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr (born January 9, 1934) is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971, during which time he led the Packers to multiple NFL championships. He was less successful as the Packer's head coach, compiling a record of 52–76–3 from 1975-1983.
He was named the Most Valuable Player of the first two Super Bowls and earned four Pro Bowl selections. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1977. He won the league MVP award in 1966.
Starr has the second-highest playoff passer rating (104.80, behind current Packer Aaron Rodgers' 112.6) of any quarterback in NFL history and a playoff record of 9–1. Starr's career completion percentage of 57.4 was an NFL best when he retired in 1972. Starr also held the Packers' franchise record for games-played (196) for 32 years, through the 2003 season.
Starr played at the University of Alabama from 1952 to 1956 and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 17th round of the 1956 draft (199th overall).
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Benny Friedman
Benjamin "Benny" Friedman (March 18, 1905 – November 24, 1982) was an American football quarterback who played for the University of Michigan (1924–1926), Cleveland Bulldogs (1927), Detroit Wolverines (1928), New York Giants (1929–1931), and Brooklyn Dodgers (1932–1934).
He is generally considered the first great passer in professional football. In 2005, Friedman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Friedman became the starting quarterback and placekicker midway through his sophomore year at Michigan (On defense, he played in the backfield). In 1925 and 1926, he led the Wolverines to consecutive 7–1 seasons and first place finishes in the Big Ten Conference. Against Indiana in 1925, Friedman accounted for 44 points, throwing for five touchdowns and kicking two field goals and eight extra points. The following year, he was a consensus first-team All-American and most valuable player of the Big Ten.
In 1927, Friedman joined his hometown Cleveland Bulldogs in the National Football League. After a successful rookie season in Cleveland, he had a spectacular second year playing for the Detroit Wolverines. In 1928, Friedman led the NFL in passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns and scoring as well as extra points (He may have led in other categories, too, but the NFL did not record yardage stats in those days.)
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Bert Bell
De Benneville "Bert" Bell (February 25, 1895 – October 11, 1959) was the National Football League (NFL) commissioner from 1946 until his death in 1959. As commissioner, he helped chart a path for the NFL to facilitate its rise in becoming the most popular sports attraction in the United States. For his innovations with the NFL, and his stewardship as commissioner, he was posthumously inducted into the charter class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
Bell began his formal days of playing football at the University of Pennsylvania in 1914. As the starting quarterback on the Penn Quakers, he led his team to the 1917 Rose Bowl. His college days were interrupted by a stint in the United States Army during World War I. After resuming, and then concluding, his college playing days, he became an assistant football coach with the Quakers and then the Temple Owls.
He became the co-founder and co-owner of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. There, Bell successfully proposed the creation of the NFL draft. He became the sole owner and coach of the Eagles in 1936 and then moved on to become part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1940. He was elected to be NFL commission in 1946 and subsequently sold his stake in the Steelers.
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Bert Rechichar
Albert Daniel (Bert) Rechichar (born July 16, 1930) was an American football defensive back who played with the National Football League's Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers from 1952 to 1960, and the American Football League's New York Titans in 1961. Rechichar was drafted by the Browns in the 1952 NFL Draft out of Tennessee.
Rechichar held the record for the longest field goal (56 yards), having broken the previous unofficial record of 55 yards (set by drop kick by Paddy Driscoll in 1924) in a game against the Chicago Bears on September 27, 1953. Rechichar's record stood until Tom Dempsey booted a 63-yarder in 1970; since then, at least seven others have kicked field goals of 60 yards or more, and many others have kicked field goals of 56 yards or longer.
Rechichar also played as an outfielder in the farm system of the Cleveland Indians, reaching as high as Reading in the then-Class A Eastern League. Baseball-Reference.com
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Bill Curry
William Alexander "Bill" Curry (born October 21, 1942) is an American football coach and former player. He is the current head coach at Georgia State University, which began competing in college football in 2010. Curry formerly worked as a football analyst for ESPN.
Previously, Curry served as the head football coach at the Georgia Tech (1980–1986), the University of Alabama (1987–1989), and the University of Kentucky (1990–1996). He played football at Georgia Tech (1962–1964) and then played for ten seasons in the National Football League with four different teams: the Green Bay Packers (1965–1966), the Baltimore Colts (1967–1972), the Houston Oilers (1973), and the Los Angeles Rams (1974).
Curry was born in College Park, Georgia. A 1965 graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in industrial management, Curry starred at center for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team from 1962 to 1964. Curry played professional football in the NFL from 1965 to 1974 with the Green Bay Packers, the Baltimore Colts, the Houston Oilers, and the Los Angeles Rams. He was a Pro Bowl center with the Colts in 1971 and 1972. Curry was the starting center in three Super Bowls, for the Packers in Super Bowl I and for the Colts in Super Bowl III and Super Bowl V.
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Bill Dudley
William McGarvey "Bullet Bill" Dudley (December 24, 1921 – February 4, 2010) was a professional American football player in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, and Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
Dudley was born in Bluefield, Virginia and attended Graham High School. He made the football team his junior year, and in 1938 he kicked a 35-yard field goal in the season's finale and helped Graham beat favored Princeton High School, 10–7.
At the age of 16, Dudley was awarded an athletic scholarship by the University of Virginia football team by coach Frank Murray. As a result, He received a $500 grant, out of which he paid for room, board, and books. Although he was originally slated as a punter and placekicker, Dudley eventually came to play the halfback position. In his sophomore year, he began as the fifth back on the depth chart but, due to a teammate's injury, played several games.
By his third year, Dudley started every game and was the Southern Conference's leader in total offensive yards. He was also successful in his senior year, particularly during a game against the University of North Carolina. In that game, Dudley scored all three touchdowns for Virginia and kicked four extra points. That season, he became the first Virginia player to earn All-America honors and was awarded the Maxwell Award for best college football player of the year. He was also named the best college player of the year by the Washington D.C. Touchdown Club. Dudley also led the nation in four categories: touchdowns with 18; points scored with 134; rushing average with 6.2 yards a play; and touchdowns responsible for with 29. After the season, he played in the East-West Shrine Game, where he intercepted four passes and threw for his team's touchdown in a 6–6 tie. He also played in the College All-Star Game in Chicago.
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Bill Pellington
William Pellington (September 25, 1927 – April 27, 1994) was a linebacker who played 12 seasons in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts. Known for his aggressive style and neck-tie tackles, Pellington was a mainstay with the Colts teams that captured league championships in the 1958 and 1959 seasons.
Pellington lived in Ramsey, New Jersey. He died in 1994 as a result of complications from Alzheimer's disease. His son is film and music video director Mark Pellington.
Pellington also owned the Iron Horse restaurant in Timonium, Maryland. Opened in 1963, they served large size portions of almost everything on the menu since he served many of the Colts players.
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Bill Troup
William Troup (born April 2, 1951 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a former professional American football player. An undrafted quarterback from the University of South Carolina, Troup played in 7 NFL seasons from 1974 to 1980 for 2 different teams.
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Billy Joe Tolliver
Billy Joe Tolliver (born February 7, 1966) is a former American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL) for twelve seasons. During this time, he played for the San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Oilers, Shreveport Pirates, Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints. Over the course of his career, he played in 79 games, completed 891 of 1,707 passes for 10,760 yards, threw 59 touchdowns and 64 interceptions, and finished his career with a passer rating of 67.7.
A graduate of Boyd High School and Texas Tech University, Tolliver was selected 51st in the 1989 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He started 19 games in two seasons at San Diego before being traded to Atlanta, where he saw playing time as a backup for three seasons. In 1994, he became one of three starting quarterbacks for Houston, then became the quarterback of the Shreveport Pirates during their final season of activity. After not seeing playing time in 1996, Tolliver played for both Atlanta and Kansas City in 1997. He then started 11 games for New Orleans in two seasons, but did not take the field in 2000. A stint with Green Bay in the 2001 offseason was the last stop in his professional career.
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Billy Newsome
William Ray Newsome (born March 2, 1948 in Jacksonville, Texas) is a former American football defensive end in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and the Chicago Bears. He played college football at Grambling State University.
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Blair Kiel
Blair Armstrong Kiel (November 29, 1961 – April 8, 2012) was a four-year starting quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, from 1980 to 1983. He played professionally for several teams in the National Football League, the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League, and was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Kiel worked as an advisor to corporate real estate clients in the Indianapolis area. Bartholmew County Coroner Allen Smith said Kiel died at Columbus Regional Hospital. Smith said an autopsy has been performed and that he's waiting on toxicology results and tissue samples to determine the cause of death.
Kiel attended Columbus East High School in Indiana, where he was rated the #3 quarterback in the nation by Parade. Coach Dan Devine offered him a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where Kiel earned the starting quarterback job during his freshman year, four games into the 1980 season. The team achieved a 9-0-1 record and the #1 ranking before closing the season with losses at USC (20-3) and to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl (17-10).
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Blue (NFL mascot)
Blue is the official mascot of the Indianapolis Colts professional American football team of the National Football League. He is an anthropomorphic blue horse who wears a white Colts jersey with a horseshoe on the front. He was first introduced on September 17, 2006 in the Colts' first home regular season game against the Houston Texans at the RCA Dome, in which they won 43-24. Indianapolis's victory over the Texans that day proved to be a sign of good things to come, both for Blue and for the team. That season, the Colts would go on to win Super Bowl XLI, defeating the Chicago Bears and winning their first Super Bowl since arriving in Indianapolis (second Super Bowl title overall). Since joining the Colts, Blue has served a valuable good luck charm for the team while also entertaining Colts fans.
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Bob Gagliano
Robert Frank "Bob" "The Goose" Gagliano (born September 5, 1958 in Los Angeles, California), is a former professional American football player. He began his career playing quarterback for Glendale Community College. He then played for United States International University (now Alliant International University) in San Diego, and Utah State University. He was drafted into the National Football League by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1981. His playing career ended in 1995. He played for eight NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions, where in 1989 he led the team to 5 consecutive victories to conclude the season. This is where he was first pegged with the nickname "The Goose". He also played for the United States Football League’s Denver Gold.
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Bob Griese
Robert Allen "Bob" Griese (/ˈɡriːsi/; born February 3, 1945) is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins. Griese led the Dolphins to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, including two Super Bowl victories (VII and VIII) (he is the only Miami Dolphin quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl). Griese's talents eventually resulted in his induction to the College Football Hall of Fame and the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He is a retired television commentator for college football on ESPN on ABC, teaming with Chris Spielman and Dave Pasch.
Griese was born in Evansville, Indiana to Ida (Ulrich) and Sylverious "Slick" Griese. Slick owned a plumbing company in Evansville and died in 1955 when Bob was ten years old. Bob played baseball primarily, and excelled as a pitcher. He also enjoyed basketball and football. After being recruited by several colleges for football, Bob chose Purdue, where he majored in business management and became a three-sport star. In 1984, Bob was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
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Bob Lilly
Robert Lewis Lilly (born July 26, 1939 in Olney, Texas-) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League and photographer. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
Lilly played college football at Texas Christian University (TCU), where he was a two-time All-Southwest Conference pick and a consensus All-American. He was a 1961 member of the College Football All-America Team and was a 2006 inductee to the East-West Shrine Game Hall of Fame. Lilly was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981. He is also a notable alumnus of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
As a first-round draft pick in the 1961 NFL Draft, and the first draft pick in Dallas Cowboys franchise history, Lilly went on to be All-Pro seven times, and was selected to play in 11 Pro Bowl games. He was also drafted in the second round (14th overall) in the 1961 AFL Draft by the Dallas Texans (now Kansas City Chiefs) prior to the merger with the NFL.
Lilly began his career as a defensive end in 1961, but midway though the 1963 (his third) season Cowboys coach Tom Landry moved him to defensive tackle. Lilly made the adjustment becoming the main man in Dallas's vaunted "Doomsday Defense". As a tackle, Lilly was a first-team All-NFL choice every year from 1964 through 1969, then again in 1971. On January 17, 1971, the Cowboys finally made the Super Bowl, against the Baltimore Colts, only to lose the game, 16-13, on a field goal in the final nine seconds. However, in 1972 he and the rest of the Cowboys won the Super Bowl against the Miami Dolphins, 24-3. His 29-yard sack of Dolphin quarterback Bob Griese (an NFL Record) is one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl defensive history. This was the signature play of his 14-year hall-of-fame career.
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Bob Vogel
Robert Louis Vogel (born September 23, 1941 in Columbus, Ohio) is a former professional American football offensive lineman for the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1972. During that span he appeared in Super Bowl III and Super Bowl V for the Colts and was selected for the Pro Bowl five times. He played college football at Ohio State University.
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Bobby Boyd
Robert Dean Boyd (born December 3, 1937) is a former NFL cornerback who played for the Baltimore Colts in a nine-year career from 1960 to 1968. A quarterback in college at the University of Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson, Boyd was a two-time Pro Bowler, was voted First Team All-Pro three times, and led the NFL with nine interceptions in 1965. He finished his career with 57 interceptions, which he returned for 994 yards and four touchdowns. He also recovered 11 fumbles.
Currently, Boyd can be seen and heard as a high school football color commentator for GRS-TV, the television production department of the Garland Independent School District.
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Bobby Layne
Robert Lawrence "Bobby" Layne (December 19, 1926 – December 1, 1986) was an American football quarterback who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1948, the New York Bulldogs in 1949, the Detroit Lions from 1950–1958, and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958–1962. He was drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 1948 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Texas.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968. His number, 22, has been retired by the University of Texas Longhorns and Detroit Lions.
Layne was born in Santa Anna, Texas and attended Highland Park High School in Dallas. He played football with teammate Doak Walker.
One of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play for Texas, Layne was selected to four straight All-Southwest Conference teams from 1944-1947. He was one of the first inductees into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. In the 1946 Cotton Bowl Classic, where Texas beat Missouri 40-27, Layne accounted for every point, scoring four touchdowns, kicking four extra points and throwing for two other scores. In 1946, Layne finished 8th in Heisman Trophy balloting to Glenn Davis of Army and in 1947 he finished 6th to John Lujack of Notre Dame, and was voted the Outstanding Back in the 1948 Sugar Bowl victory over #6 Alabama. Layne finished his Texas career with a school record 3,145 passing yards on 210 completions and 400 attempts. Layne also had success in baseball as a pitcher for Texas as well. In his career as a pitcher he threw two no hitters.
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Bobby Mitchell
Robert Cornelius Mitchell (born June 6, 1935 in Hot Springs, Arkansas) is a former American football halfback and flanker in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Redskins. Mitchell was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983. He currently runs the Cleveland Browns UK supporters society along with co founder Samuel Bould.
Mitchell was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas and attended Langston High School. While there, he played football, basketball, track, and was good enough at baseball to be offered a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Instead of playing professional baseball, Mitchell chose to attended the University of Illinois, which he picked from a host of schools that offered him scholarships. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and had a particularly good sophomore year. At the beginning of the season, he was behind junior Harry Jefferson on the depth chart. Seven games into the season, Jefferson went down with an injury, and Mitchell took over at one of the halfback spots. The first time he handled the football, he ran 64 yards for a touchdown. Though he entered in the third quarter, Mitchell gained 173 yards in 10 carries, and the Illini upset third-ranked Michigan, 25-6. He went on to gain more than 100 yards in each of the two games that remained in the 1955 season, during which he also saw some playing time as a defensive back. That year, he averaged a record 8.6 yards per rush.
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Boyd Dowler
Boyd Hamilton Dowler (born October 18, 1937 in Rock Springs, Wyoming) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played twelve seasons for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins from 1959 to 1971. Dowler played college football at the University of Colorado. While at Colorado he was a member of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity.
A two time Pro Bowler in 1965 and 1967, Dowler was a key contributor on the Packers Dynasty in the 1960s, assisting the team to five NFL championship wins, including victories in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II. Dowler was knocked out of the game early in the first quarter of Super Bowl I, but made a big impact in Super Bowl II, catching a 62-yard touchdown reception in the first half. He finished the game as the top receiver for the Packers, with two receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. Dowler is a member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, and the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team.
Dowler retired with a career record of 474 receptions for 7,270 yards and 40 touchdowns. He led the Packers in receptions for seven seasons. He is currently a scout for the Atlanta Falcons.
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Brett Favre
Brett Lorenzo Favre (born October 10, 1969) is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was a 20-year veteran of the NFL, having played quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons (1991), Green Bay Packers (1992–2007), New York Jets (2008) and Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010). Favre is the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 70,000 yards, over 500 touchdowns, over 300 interceptions, and over 10,000 pass attempts. He officially retired on January 17, 2011.
Favre started at the quarterback position for the University of Southern Mississippi for four years before being selected in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft by Atlanta (33rd overall). He was traded to Green Bay on February 10, 1992, for the 19th pick in the 1992 NFL Draft.
Favre became the Packers' starting quarterback in the fourth game of the 1992 season, and started every game through the 2007 season. He was traded to the New York Jets and started at quarterback for the 2008 season before signing with the Vikings on August 18, 2009 as their starting quarterback. He made an NFL record 297 consecutive starts (321 including playoffs).
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Brian Brohm
Brian Joseph Brohm (born September 23, 1985) is an American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville.
Brohm has also played for the Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Locomotives.
While passing for 10,579 yards and 119 touchdowns during his prep career, Brohm led the Trinity Shamrocks to the 4-A state title in 2001, 2002, and 2003. He was the MVP of all three title games, the most exciting of which was a 59-56 victory over Louisville Male and 2002 Mr. Football Michael Bush. Brohm threw for 555 yards and 7 TDs in that game. Brian was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated on November 18, 2002, while he was a junior in high school. Brohm was named 2003 Kentucky Mr. Football, USA Today Offensive Player of the Year and was the Gatorade Player of the Year for 2003. Brohm was named one of the top five quarterbacks in America by Rivals.com and was selected to participate in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl game in San Antonio, Texas.
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Brian Waters
Brian Demond Waters (born February 18, 1977) is an American football guard for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1999 out of the University of North Texas. He was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2000 to 2010, in which he earned five Pro Bowl selections. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first year with the Patriots in 2011.
Waters attended Waxahachie High School in Waxahachie, Texas, and lettered in football. As a senior, he was an All-District honoree as both a tight end and defensive end. He made 16 receptions for 380 yards on offense, and made five sacks and 66 tackles on defense.
Waters attended the University of North Texas where he started his first three years at tight end, while recording 86 receptions for 975 yards and nine touchdowns. As a senior he was moved to defensive end, but also played as a backup fullback and tight end. On defense he had 45 tackles (32 solo) and 5 sacks.
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Bronko Nagurski
Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski (November 3, 1908 – January 7, 1990) was a Canadian-born American football player. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.
Nagurski was born in Rainy River, Ontario, Canada, of Polish-Ukrainian descent, and his family moved to International Falls, Minnesota, when he was still a boy. His parents, "Mike" and Michelina Nagurski, were immigrants, from Western Ukraine (Halychyna/Galicia). Young Bronislau grew up working on his parents' farm and sawmill, delivering groceries for his father's grocery store and in his teens laboring at nearby timbering operations, growing into a powerfully muscular 6 footer.
Nagurski was discovered and signed by University of Minnesota Head Coach Clarence "Fats" Spears, who drove up to International Falls and arriving watched Nagurski out plowing a field. According to legend Spears asked directions to the nearest town, and Bronko lifted his plow and used it to point in the direction of town. He was signed on the spot to play for the Golden Gophers. Spears admitted he concocted the story on his long drive back to the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.
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Browning Nagle
Browning Nagle (born April 29, 1968) was a quarterback for the National Football League's New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons. He also played as a quarterback for the Arena Football League's Orlando Predators and Buffalo Destroyers.
Nagle played for Pinellas Park High School, graduating in 1986. He began his college career at West Virginia the same year as Major Harris. When it became clear that West Virginia would go with Harris and an option offense, Nagle transferred to Louisville and played for Howard Schnellenberger. He was named one of the Most Valuable Players in the 1991 Fiesta Bowl, where he set many passing records, one of which was 451 passing yards vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide. Nagle was drafted by the Jets in the 1991 NFL Draft with the 34 pick overall, one pick after the Falcons selected Brett Favre.
Today, Nagle is a Senior Manager at Medtronic Spinal & Biologics, he has been in the Medical Device industry since retiring from football in 2000. Browning is an avid golfer, playing in celebrity tournaments as a Founding Member of the Celebrity Players Tour. He currently resides outside Memphis, TN, with his wife, Mallie Jo (married in 6-93), and their two children; Browning Jr. (BJ) and Savannah Clair.
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Bubba Smith
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith (February 28, 1945 – August 3, 2011) was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team. He had a major role in a 10–10 draw with Notre Dame in 1966 that was billed as "The Game of the Century." He was one of only three players to have his jersey number retired by the program. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
He played nine years in the National Football League (NFL) with the Baltimore Colts (1967–1971), Oakland Raiders (1973–1974) and Houston Oilers (1975–1976). The first selection of the 1967 NFL Draft, he was the Colts' starting left defensive end for five seasons who played in Super Bowls III and V, the latter with the winning side. He was named to two Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro in 1971. Despite being 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters) tall and weighing 265 pounds (120.20 kilograms), his tremendous speed and quickness usually caused him to draw two blockers.
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Bud Grant
Harry Peter "Bud" Grant, Jr. (born May 20, 1927) is the former longtime American football head coach of the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) for eighteen seasons. Grant was the second (1967–83) and fourth (1985) head coach of the team. Prior to coaching the Vikings, he was the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) for ten seasons. Along with being the winningest coach in Vikings history, Grant is the third winningest professional football coach, behind Don Shula and George Halas, with a combined 290 wins in the NFL and CFL. Grant was elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994. He was the first coach in the history of professional football to guide teams to the Grey Cup finals and Super Bowl.
Grant attended the University of Minnesota and was a three sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. Following college, he had a professional playing career for the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.
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Buddy Young
Claude "Buddy" Young (January 5, 1926 – September, 1983) was an American football player. A native of Chicago, he was Illinois state champ in the 100-yard dash. The 5'4" Claude "Buddy" Young, also known as the "Bronze Bullet," had exceptional quickness and acceleration. He is one of the shortest men ever to play NFL football. As a track star at the University of Illinois, he won the National Collegiate Championships in the 100 and 220-yard dash, tied the world record for the 45 and 60-yard dashes (6.1 in the latter event), and was the Amateur Athletic Union's 100-meter champion.
Young was as impressive on the gridiron as on the track. He received scholarship offers from several schools, including the University of Michigan, Drake University, Marquette University and the University of Illinois. He chose Illinois and established himself as a star immediately. In his first game for the Illini, he scampered 64 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. On his second carry, he ran for a 30-yard touchdown. In all, in his debut he gained 139 yards on 7 carries, an average of 19.7 yards. Before the season concluded, he scored 10 touchdowns equaling the Big Ten Conference record established by the immortal Red Grange in 1924.
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Buzz Nutter
Madison Monroe "Buzz" Nutter (February 16, 1931 – April 12, 2008) was an American football center in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Virginia Tech.
Nutter was born in Summersville, West Virginia and grew up in Huntington, West Virginia, where he acquired the nickname "Buzz" as a young man. He attended and played high school football at Vinson High School.
Nutter attended and played college football at Virginia Tech. After his senior season, he became the first player from Virginia Tech drafted into the NFL, despite the team going 0-10, 2-8 and 5-6 the final three seasons of his career. Nutter was inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.
Nutter was drafted in the 12th round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He failed to make the team in the offseason and moved back to West Virginia to work in a steel mill. He returned to the NFL in 1954 with the Baltimore Colts, where he played for seven seasons and won consecutive NFL Championship titles (1958–1959). Nutter was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, along with Eugene Lipscomb, in 1961 for wide receiver Jimmy Orr. Nutter played in Pittsburgh for four seasons and was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1962. In 1965, he returned to the Colts and played for one more season.
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Carroll Rosenbloom
Carroll Rosenbloom (March 5, 1907 – April 2, 1979) was an American entrepreneur and former owner of two professional football teams, the Baltimore Colts and the Los Angeles Rams.
During his stewardship of both franchises, Rosenbloom amassed the best ownership winning percentage in league history (.660), a total regular season record of 226 wins, 116 losses and 8 ties and 3 NFL championships.
Rosenbloom has been described as the NFL’s first modern owner and the first players’ owner. Rosenbloom was part of the NFL inner circle that negotiated the League’s network TV contracts with NBC and CBS and the NFL/AFL merger, both which contributed to professional football becoming both profitable and the most watched spectator sport in the United States.
Rosenbloom was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 5, 1907 to Anna and Solomon Rosenbloom. He was the eighth of nine children, raised in a Jewish family. His father, an immigrant from Russian Poland, started a successful work-clothing manufacturing company.
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Charley Taylor
Charles Robert Taylor (born September 28, 1941 in Grand Prairie, Texas) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
During his tenure with the Redskins they reached the Super Bowl in 1973, (Super Bowl VII), after the 1972 season. They also made the playoffs four other times in the 1970s.
Taylor was born in Grand Prairie, Texas was the second of seven children—four girls and three boys. He was raised by his mother Myrtle and step father James Stevenson. Myrtle was a domestic, a chef, a butcher, and an owner of a restaurant and Stevenson constructed parts for airplanes.
Taylor started playing sports while in junior high school and by the eighth grade he was playing football, baseball, basketball and competing in track.
Taylor attended and played high school football at Dalworth High School (the former segregated black high school, now an elementary school by the name of David Daniels. Dalworth High students moved to Grand Prairie High School). He also ran the high hurdles, threw the discus and shot put, and competed in the long jump for the track team. The school did not have a baseball team, but Taylor played baseball in a summer league. He was named All-State in track and football.
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Charley Winner
Charley Winner (born July 2, 1924) was a football coach whose professional and personal life was closely intertwined with that of Weeb Ewbank, another coach.
Winner was born in Somerville, New Jersey, and during World War II flew 17 missions in a B-17 Flying Fortress plane, spending six weeks in a German prisoner of war camp. Upon his release from the service, he played running back at Washington University in St. Louis, where Ewbank was head coach. After Ewbank moved on to coach for the Cleveland Browns, Winner took an assistant position with nearby Case Tech, and also served as a scout for the Browns. In 1950, he also married Ewbank's daughter.
When Ewbank was hired as head coach of the Baltimore Colts in 1954, Winner went along and helped the team capture NFL titles in both 1958 and 1959. At the conclusion of the 1962 NFL season, Ewbank was dismissed, but Winner stayed under new coach Don Shula from 1963 to 1965.
On February 10, 1966, Winner was hired as head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. In five seasons at the helm, Winner managed a 35-30-5 record, but after failing to reach the postseason, was fired on January 6, 1971.
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Chris Chandler
Christopher Mark Chandler (born October 12, 1965) is a retired American football player, who played as a quarterback in the National Football League for 17 seasons. He is known for leading the Atlanta Falcons to a 14-2 season in 1998, followed up with an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Chris Chandler was born on October 12, 1965, in Everett, Washington. In high school, he was active in basketball, football, track and golf. As a high school quarterback, Chandler threw for 2,000 yards and 49 touchdowns.
In college, Chandler played for the University of Washington from 1984 to 1987. He finished third in the school's history in total offense with 4,442 yards and 32 touchdown passes, and ended his college career as the Offensive Player of the Game at the 1988 Senior Bowl. He graduated with an economics degree.
Chandler played in the NFL for 17 seasons, from 1988-2004. He played for eight teams, a record shared with Mark Royals, Karl Wilson, and Jeff Brady (although Chandler is the only player to have started for eight different teams). He threw for 28,484 yards, and had a career passer rating of 79.1. He has thrown at least one touchdown pass for seven different franchises, an NFL record. At the time of his retirement, he was ranked 30th in all-time pass completions, with 2328. He was continually bothered by injuries, which earned him the unflattering moniker of "Crystal Chandelier" amongst his detractors. Chandler holds the record for the oldest player to score a 2 pt. conversion (37 years, 358 days).[citation needed]
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Chris Redman
Chris James Redman (born July 7, 1977) is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Louisville.
Redman earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and Austin Wranglers.
Redman played high school football at Louisville Male High School, where his father, Bob Redman, was the veteran head coach. Chris helped lead the Bulldogs to the 1993 state championship in Class 4A (Kentucky's largest class at the time). He was a two-time all-state quarterback and Parade 's National Player of the Year in 1994 after setting national high school records for most touchdown passes in a season (57) and most touchdown passes in a half (8, twice), the latter of which still has not been broken according to NFLHS.com.
Redman completed his college career as the NCAA Division I-A career leader in passing completions (1,031) and attempts (1,679). His 12,541 career passing yards ranked third behind Brigham Young's Ty Detmer (15,031 yards) and Louisiana Tech's Tim Rattay (12,746). Redman threw 84 touchdown passes and 51 interceptions and still holds virtually every single game, single season and career passing record at the University of Louisville.
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Chuck Bednarik
Charles Philip Bednarik (born May 1, 1925) is a former professional American football player, known as one of the most devastating tacklers in the history of football and the last two-way player in the National Football League. A Slovak American from the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, he is perhaps best remembered for a tackle on the New York Giants' Frank Gifford, then a star running back, that knocked Gifford out of professional football for a year and a half, and shortened Gifford's playing career.
Bednarik played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949 through 1962 and, upon retirement, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 (his first year of eligibility).
Bednarik currently resides in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley. His great-nephew, Adam Bednarik, was the starting quarterback at West Virginia University, before suffering an injury in 2005 that opened the door for fellow freshman Pat White, who never relinquished the starting position.
His parents emigrated in 1920 from Široké, a village in eastern Slovakia, for work, settling in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and working for Bethlehem Steel. Their son Charles was born in 1925. He attended school at SS. Cyril & Methodius in Bethlehem, which was a Slovak parochial school with Slovak the language of instruction.
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Chuck Noll
Charles Henry "Chuck" Noll (born January 5, 1932) is a former professional American football player and coach, and a member of the Sid Gillman coaching tree. He served most notably as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League from 1969 to 1991. Noll has more Super Bowl wins (4) than any other head coach in NFL history, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Noll attended Benedictine High School where he played running back and tackle, winning All-State honors. He won a football scholarship to the University of Dayton. Noll was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1953, where he played until his retirement in 1959 at the age of 27.
Noll was an assistant coach for the American Football League's San Diego Chargers and the NFL Baltimore Colts before becoming the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach. He was the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Colts (under head coach Don Shula) during their 13–1 season in 1968, in which the team set an NFL record of fewest points allowed (144). The 1968 Colts won the NFL championship by stomping the Cleveland Browns 34–0 in Cleveland, but the heavily favored Colts were shocked by the upstart AFL champion New York Jets, 16–7, in Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
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Chuck Pagano
Charles D. "Chuck" Pagano (born October 2, 1960) is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL), a position he assumed in January 2012. Pagano has previously served as the defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens in 2011.
Pagano's coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Southern California from 1984 to 1985 before a parallel move to Miami (Fla.) in 1986. He was outside linebackers coach at Boise State from 1987 to 1988, then coached defensive backs at East Carolina and UNLV in 1989 and 1990, respectively. By 1991, Pagano had been promoted to defensive coordinator for UNLV, but returned to East Carolina to coach defensive backs and outside linebackers a year later.
Pagano first linked with Butch Davis in 1995, returning to Miami to coach the secondary and coordinate special teams. In his five years there, he recruited and coached four first round NFL draft picks, and during the 2000 season, his secondary was named the nation's best by Football News. His defensive backs did not allow a passing touchdown over the last 27 quarters of the 1999 season. Miami also blocked 39 kicks in 59 games, including a school record 12 blocks in 1996.
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Clint Longley
Howard Clinton "Clint" Longley, Jr. (born July 28, 1952) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League. He played two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys (1974–1975) and one for the San Diego Chargers (1976). Longley earned his nickname the "Mad Bomber" for bouncing passes off of Coach Tom Landry's coaching tower in the Cowboys' training camp. He played college football at Abilene Christian University.
Longley is probably best remembered for his performance in a Thanksgiving Day game in 1974 for the Cowboys against the Washington Redskins. Longley, then a rookie, came into the game for an injured Roger Staubach with the Cowboys trailing 16-3 in the third quarter. He hit Billy Joe Dupree for a 35-yard touchdown pass. He led the Cowboys on a 70-yard drive capped by a 1-yard Walt Garrison touchdown run. And then, with the Cowboys behind 23-17 and with only 28 seconds left with no time outs, Longley hit Drew Pearson down the middle for a 50-yard touchdown pass which gave the Cowboys a dramatic 24-23 victory. The game was named the second-best in the history of Texas Stadium by ESPN in 2008. Because Longley had no expectation of playing in that game and was completely unprepared, Cowboys lineman Blaine Nye sarcastically called his winning effort "the triumph of the uncluttered mind."
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Craig Erickson
Craig Neil Erickson (born May 17, 1969 in Boynton Beach, Florida) is a former professional quarterback who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 5th round of the 1991 NFL Draft and also by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 4th round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He is one of the few NFL players to be drafted twice, another famous example being Bo Jackson. Coincidentally, each was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A 6'2", 200 lb (91 kg). quarterback from the University of Miami who was the starting QB on Miami's 1989 National Championship squad, he ranked third on the Hurricanes all-time career passing-yardage list with 6,056 yards. Erickson played in 34 games over four-year career, taking over starting role as a junior. He won the Johnny Unitas Award in 1990. Went to Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach.
Erickson played in seven NFL seasons from 1992–1997 and 1999. His best year as a pro came during the 1993 season for the Buccaneers when he threw for over 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns.
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Craig Whelihan
Craig Dominic Whelihan (born April 15, 1971 in San Jose, California), was an arena football quarterback with the San Jose SaberCats in the Arena Football League. He attended the University of the Pacific.
Whelilhan attended Santa Teresa High School and was a letterman in football, baseball and basketball. In football, as a senior, he passed for 1,314 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Whelihan originally attended Oregon State University, sitting out freshman season as a redshirt. He transferred to the University of the Pacific playing both his sophomore and junior years. He ended his college career ranked third on the school's list for completions (300), attempts (591) and TDs (27).
Whelihan was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1995 in the sixth round and played for the team for four seasons, mostly as a backup quarterback. He threw 3,160 yards, scoring 14 touchdowns and threw 29 interceptions for a QB rating of 52.4, according to NFL.com. He signed with the Oakland Raiders and attended training camp in 2000. Whelihan played in the XFL in 2001 with the Memphis Maniax and the Chicago Enforcers.
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Cris Carter
Cristopher D. Carter (born November 25, 1965) is a former American football player in the National Football League. He played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles (1987–89), the Minnesota Vikings (1990–2001) and the Miami Dolphins (2002).
After starting for the Ohio State University Buckeyes, Carter was drafted by the Eagles in the 4th round of the 1987 NFL supplemental draft. While in Philadelphia, head coach Buddy Ryan helped to coin one of ESPN's Chris Berman's famous quotes about Carter: "All he does is catch touchdowns." He was let go by Ryan in 1989, however, due to off-the-field issues. Carter was signed by the Vikings and turned his life and career around, becoming a two-time First-team, one-time Second-team All-Pro and playing in 8 straight Pro Bowls. When he left the Vikings after 2001, he held most of the team career receiving records. He briefly played for the Dolphins in 2002 before retiring.
Since retiring from the NFL, Carter has worked as an analyst on HBO's Inside the NFL, ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown, and online at Yahoo Sports. He also works as an assistant coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, where his son played wide receiver. Carter resides in Boca Raton, Florida. He is the brother of former NBA player and coach Butch Carter.
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Curt Gowdy
Curtis Edward "Curt" Gowdy (July 31, 1919–February 20, 2006) was an American sportscaster, well known as the longtime "voice" of the Boston Red Sox and for his coverage of many nationally-televised sporting events, primarily for NBC Sports in the 1960s and 1970s.
The son of a manager for the Union Pacific railroad, Curt Gowdy was born in Green River, Wyoming, and moved to Cheyenne at age six. As a high school basketball player in the 1930s, he led the state in scoring. He enrolled at the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he was a 5'9" (175 cm) starter on the basketball team and played varsity tennis, lettering three years in both sports for the Cowboys. He was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.
After graduating in 1942 with a degree in business statistics, Gowdy aimed to become a fighter pilot, but a ruptured disk in his spine from a previous sports injury cut short his service in the Army Air Force, leading to a medical discharge in 1943.
In November of that year, recovering from back surgery, Gowdy made his broadcasting debut in Cheyenne calling a six-man high school football game from atop a wooden grocery crate in sub-zero weather, with about 15 people in attendance. He found he had a knack for broadcasting and worked at the small KFBC radio station and at the Wyoming Eagle newspaper as a sportswriter (and later sports editor). After several years in Cheyenne, he accepted an offer from CBS's KOMA radio in Oklahoma City in 1946. He was hired primarily to broadcast Oklahoma college football (then coached by new hire Bud Wilkinson) and Oklahoma State college basketball games (then coached by Hank Iba). It was in Oklahoma that he met his wife, Jerre Dawkins, a graduate student at OU.
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Curtis Painter
Curtis Jeffrey Painter (born June 24, 1985) is an American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.
Curtis Painter was born in Watseka, Illinois. During his freshman year, Painter moved to Vincennes, Indiana, where he attended Lincoln High School and was a PrepStar All-American. During his high school football career, Painter had a three-year record of 28–7 with 4,946 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, and 17 rushing touchdowns. He ended his high school career a finalist on the Mr. Football ballot and led his team to an 11–2 record and a conference championship and a sectional championship.
Painter was a 3-star rated Pro-Style Quarterback ranked by rivals.com before committing to play for Purdue University. He also played baseball and basketball.
Painter committed to Purdue University on October 8, 2003. Painter wasn't heavily recruited as he only received FBS scholarship offers from Purdue, Ball State and Indiana
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Dan Fouts
Daniel Francis Fouts (born June 10, 1951) is a retired Hall of Fame American football quarterback in the National Football League. Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987. He was one of the most prolific passing quarterbacks during the 1970s and 1980s, but the Chargers were unable to make it to the Super Bowl during his fifteen-year career. He is currently a color commentator for NFL games on CBS. Dan is the son of Bay Area Radio Hall of Famer Bob Fouts.
Fouts went to Marin Catholic High School, which is located just north of San Francisco in Kentfield, California for his two first years of High School, and was starting for the varsity team by his sophomore year. He decided to transfer to St. Ignatius College Preparatory (San Francisco, CA) for his final two years of high school.
Fouts was somewhat of an unknown when he accepted the scholarship offer from the University of Oregon. Things were quite different after the All-Pac 8 quarterback's career where he set 19 school records, including those for career passing yardage (5,995) and total offense (5,871). He was inducted into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame in 1992.
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Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. (born September 15, 1961) is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League. The last quarterback of the Quarterback Class of 1983 to be taken in the first round, Marino became one of the most prolific quarterbacks in league history, holding or having held almost every major NFL passing record. Despite never being on a Super Bowl-winning team, he is recognized as one of the greatest quarterbacks in American football history. Best remembered for his quick release and powerful arm, Marino led the Dolphins to the playoffs ten times in his seventeen-season career. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Marino was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, of Italian and Polish ancestry. He is the oldest child of Daniel and Veronica (Kolczynski) Marino, and has two younger sisters, Cindi and Debbie. His father delivered newspapers for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Marino grew up on Parkview Avenue in the South Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and attended St. Regis Catholic Elementary School. He attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, where he started in baseball, and won Parade All-American honors in football. He was drafted in the 4th round by the Kansas City Royals baseball team in the 1979 amateur draft, but decided to play college football instead.
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Dan Orlovsky
Daniel John "Dan" Orlovsky (born August 18, 1983) is an American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. The Detroit Lions drafted Orlovsky in the fifth round (145th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Connecticut.
Orlovsky has also played for the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.
Born in Shelton, Connecticut, Orlovsky played high school football. "When I was younger, I would have garbage cans set up all around the yard," Orlovsky recalled. "And I would have like 20 balls and just fire them into the cans. I really had nothing else to do back then."
Orlovsky attended Shelton High School and became the starting quarterback during his sophomore year. As a senior, he threw for 2,489 yards and 58 touchdowns as the Gaels went 12-0, winning the state championship. His overall record as a high school quarterback was 28-4. He earned All-American honors from Prep Football Report, SuperPrep and Prep Star, and was also named Connecticut all-state, Class LL MVP, the New Haven Register's Connecticut Player of the Year and winner of the McHugh Award.[citation needed]
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Darrell Green
Darrell Ray Green (born February 15, 1960) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play football. Green was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
The self-proclaimed "itty bitty guy," Green was nicknamed the "Ageless Wonder" by his peers and the general media for his remarkable ability to maintain a high level of play well into the twilight of his career. Green was also known for his speed and was one of the fastest players in the history of the NFL.
Green was born in Houston, Texas and attended Jesse H. Jones High School. While there, he was an All-State selection in track and an All-City pick in football, in which he was a walk-on. Green made the junior varsity football team his junior year, and then made the varsity team as a senior.
Green attended and played college football and track at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville). He finished his Bachelor of Science degree in general studies at St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia.
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Dave Duerson
David Russell Duerson (November 28, 1960 – February 17, 2011) was an American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Chicago Bears (1983–1989), the New York Giants (1990), and the Phoenix Cardinals (1991–1993). He earned significant honors during his career, including selection to four consecutive Pro Bowls for NFL seasons 1985 through 1988.
Duerson played football, basketball, and baseball at Muncie (Indiana) Northside High School. He was given an opportunity to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers as a pitcher and outfielder in 1979, but declined. Duerson received many honors during his high school years, including the 1979 Indiana Mr. Football, and was part of the National Honor Society and The Musical Ambassadors All-American Band.
Duerson played college football at the University of Notre Dame from 1979 to 1982. He graduated with honors, with a BA in Economics. He started all four years, and earned recognition as an All-American in 1981 and 1982. He was named as his team's MVP in 1982, and a Captain. He was the winner of the Edward "Moose" Krause Distinguished Service Award in 1990 by the Notre Dame Monogram Club, of which he was a past president. He was also a member of the University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees from 2001-2005.
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Dave Ragone
David Patrick Ragone (born October 3, 1979) is an American football coach and former professional quarterback. He is currently the wide receivers coach for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League.
Ragone attended St. Ignatius High School and was a student and a letterman in football and basketball. In football, as a senior quarterback, he was an All-State first team honoree and led his team to the State Semi-Final game, losing 20-19 against Canton McKinley. Also as a senior, he was a starter on the basketball team that went on to be the State Runner-Up.
In the fall of 2009, Ragone was inducted into the Saint Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame.
During his college career at the University of Louisville, he went 27-11 as a starter, including an 11-1 mark in 2001. Ragone finished his collegiate career as Louisville's second all time leading passer. He was a three-time All-American Honorable Mention and three-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year.
He was selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Houston Texans and started in two games behind David Carr. In 2005, Ragone was named NFL Europe's Offensive MVP, leading the Berlin Thunder to World Bowl XIII. Ragone was waived by the Texans and claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals in May 2006. In June 2006, the Bengals traded Ragone to the St. Louis Rams.
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Dave Sherer
David McDonald Sherer, Jr. (born February 14, 1937 in Galion, Ohio) is a former American football end in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Southern Methodist University and the New Mexico Military Institute and was drafted in the second round of the 1959 NFL Draft. Sherer was also selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft.
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David Humm
David Henry Humm (born April 2, 1952 in Las Vegas, Nevada) is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the NFL from 1975-84 for the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Colts, and Los Angeles Raiders. He was also an effective holder for a field goal or an extra point, with the unusual habit of arriving on the field with no shoulder pads, which tipped the opposing team that a fake field goal was unlikely.
He played college football at Nebraska, where he was a three year starter from 1972-74, under head coaches Bob Devaney and Tom Osborne. Humm, a left-hander, was selected by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 1975 NFL Draft, the 128th overall pick. He was primarily a reserve during his professional career.
After his playing career, Humm served as an analyst for Mutual Broadcasting System, the Las Vegas Posse, and the Oakland Raiders.
In 1988, Humm was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 36 and lost the use of his legs in 1997. He has set up a broadcasting studio in his home and continues as a color commentator for the Oakland Raiders.
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David Lee (punter)
David Allen Lee (born November 8, 1943) is a former American football punter for the former Baltimore Colts in the National Football League and subsequently retired from a career as a General Motors executive in Shreveport, the seat of Caddo Parish, in northwestern Louisiana. He accumulated several sports records in punting for the Colts in a 12-year career from 1966 until 1978.
On October 1, 2011, Lee was inducted into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame.
Lee was born in Shreveport to Roy Lee (1916–1994) and the former Hazel Braley (1919–2007). He grew up in the small town of Minden, the seat of Webster Parish, some thirty miles east of Shreveport.
The family home at the intersection of Goodwill and Ash streets is near a residence where the Country music singer David Houston lived as a child. It is also in the same block as the residence of the late Mayor Jack Batton. It is a short walk from the Minden High School stadium, then a new structure, where Lee made his first successful mark in football between 1957 and 1960. Not only was Lee All-District and All-State in football in his senior year, the fall of 1960, but he excelled similarly in basketball (1961), baseball (1959–1961), and track (1958–1961). He was also elected by his peers to the Student Council during his senior year.
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David Silverman
David Silverman (born on March 15, 1957 in New York City, New York) is an American animator best known for directing numerous episodes of the animated TV series The Simpsons, as well as The Simpsons Movie. Silverman was involved with the series from the very beginning, where he animated all of the original short Simpsons cartoons that aired on The Tracey Ullman Show and went on to serve as director of animation for several years.
Started his education at the University of Maryland, College Park for two years, focusing on art. Then he attended UCLA and majored in animation.
Early in his career with The Simpsons, he was a subject on the December 26, 1990 episode (#83) of To Tell the Truth.
Silverman is largely credited with creating most of the "rules" for drawing The Simpsons. He is frequently called upon to animate difficult or especially important scenes, becoming to go-to in Season 2 when he animated the first of Homer's many "rants, freak-outs, and heart attacks". He appeared during the end credits of the Simpsons episode "Goo Goo Gai Pan" giving a quick method of drawing Bart, and is a frequent participant on the Simpsons DVD audio commentaries. A cartoon rendering of him can be seen in "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show", where he is the animator who draws Poochie (along with renderings of other Simpsons staffers). He was once credited as Pound Foolish as the director of the episode "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular".
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Deacon Jones
David D. "Deacon" Jones (born December 9, 1938 in Eatonville, Florida) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
Jones specialized in quarterback sacks, a term attributed to him. Nicknamed the "Secretary of Defense", Jones is considered one of the greatest defensive players ever. The Los Angeles Times called Jones "Most Valuable Ram of All Time," and former Rams head coach George Allen called him the "Greatest Defensive End of Modern Football".
Jones was born in Eatonville, Florida and lived in a four bedroom house with his family of ten. Jones attended Hungerford High School, where he played football, baseball, and basketball. During high school, Jones developed a lump in his thigh and learned that it was a tumor; he had surgery to remove it.
Jones' college football career consisted of a year at South Carolina State University in 1957, followed by a year of inactivity in 1958 and a final season at Mississippi Vocational College (since renamed Mississippi Valley State University) in 1960.
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Del Shofner
Delbert Martin Shofner (born December 11, 1934 in Center, Texas) is a former American football wide receiver who played for eleven seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants from 1957 to 1967 in the National Football League. Shofner was a five-time consensus All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 1958, 1959, and from 1961 to 1963. He led the NFL in receiving yards in 1958 with a total of 1,097 and finished second in that category in both 1959 and 1961 with totals of 936 and 1,125. In 1962, he finished second in receiving touchdowns with 12. Shofner's 1963 receiving yards total of 1,181 was his career-best and the third highest in the NFL that season.
Injuries and illness caused a decline in his effectiveness in 1964 and thereafter and he eventually was supplanted as the starting split end in the middle of the 1965 season. He retired after the 1967 NFL season.
Shofner played college football at Baylor University and was also a punter early in his professional football career.
In addition to football, Shofner played basketball, baseball, and was a sprinter while at Baylor. Shofner helped lead the Baylor Bears to a 13-7 victory over Tennessee in the 1957 Sugar Bowl.
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Derrick Brooks
Derrick Dewan Brooks (born April 18, 1973) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons. He played college football for Florida State University, and was twice recognized as a consensus All-American. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft, and he played his entire professional career for the Buccaneers. An eleven-time Pro Bowl selection and nine-time All-Pro, Brooks was named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2002, and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Brooks attended Washington High School in Pensacola. In his senior season in 1991, Brooks carried Pensacola to the state playoff semifinals, where they lost to the eventual champion Bradenton Manatees. In 2007, he was named to the Florida High School Association All-Century Team, which selected the Top 33 players in the 100 year history of high school football in the state of Florida's history.
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Derrick Thomas
Derrick Vincent Thomas (January 1, 1967 – February 8, 2000), nicknamed D.T., was an American football linebacker and defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played his entire 11-year career for the Chiefs after being drafted fourth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft. Thomas, part of the class of 2009 entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was a premier football player throughout the 1990s and is considered one of the best pass rushers of all-time. In 1990 against the Seattle Seahawks, he set an NFL record with seven sacks in a single game. On February 8, 2000, Thomas died from a massive blood clot that developed in his paralyzed lower extremities and traveled to his lungs. His paralysis was the result of severe injuries sustained in a car accident weeks earlier.
Born in Miami, Florida, Thomas was raised by his mother. His father, Air Force Captain and B-52 pilot Robert James Thomas, died during a mission in the Vietnam War. Thomas started playing football when he was three years old. He played high school football at South Miami Senior High School.
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Dick Bielski
Richard Adam Bielski (born September 7, 1932) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of Maryland and was drafted in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1955 NFL Draft. Bielski was also selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft. Bielski went to one Pro Bowl in 1961.
Bielski was an All-Maryland Scholastic Association fullback with Patterson Park High School
He signed with the University of Maryland where he played on offense and defense as a fullback and linebacker. He was also an excellent placekicker.
In 1954 he was a preseason All-American candidate, but injuries affected his level of play during the season. Still, he was able to finish his college career averaging more than 5 yards per carry and was considered one of the best fullbacks in the country along with Alan Ameche. At the end of the year he was selected to play in the Chicago College All-Star Game, Senior Bowl and the North-South Shrine Game, where he was voted the outstanding player of the game.
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Dick Butkus
Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus (born December 9, 1942) is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus started as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. He played nine seasons in the NFL for the Chicago Bears. Billed at 6 ft 3 in, 245 lbs., he was one of the most feared and intimidating linebackers of his time.
The youngest of eight children, Lithuanian American Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus grew up in the Roseland area of Chicago's south side. He played high school football for coach Bernie O'Brien at Chicago Vocational High School.
Despite growing up in Chicago, Butkus was not a Bears fan, preferring to attend Chicago Cardinals games at Comiskey Park and watch Thanksgiving games between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
Butkus played center and linebacker from 1962 through 1964 at the University of Illinois. He was twice a unanimous All-American, in 1963 and 1964. He won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football in 1963 as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player, and was named the American Football Coaches Association Player of the Year in 1964. Butkus finished sixth in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1963 and third in 1964, a rare accomplishment for both linemen and defensive players.
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Dick Horn
Richard Henry "Dick" Horn (born March 18, 1930 in Santa Monica, California) is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League. He would play with the Baltimore Colts in 1958.
Horn played safety and was the backup quarterback for Stanford. He completed Stanford Medical School in 1959.
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Dick Szymanski
Richard "Dick" Szymanski (born October 7, 1932 in Toledo, Ohio) was a center who played fourteen seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League. Szymanski attended the University of Notre Dame and Scott High School.
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Dick Vermeil
Richard Albert "Dick" Vermeil (pronounced /vərˈmiːl/; born October 30, 1936) is a former American head coach for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles (1976–1982), St. Louis Rams (1997–1999) and Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2005). He is in the Sid Gillman coaching tree and has coached at every level; Vermeil owns the distinction of being named “Coach of the Year” on four levels: High School, Junior College, NCAA Division I and Professional Football.
In all three of his stops as an NFL head coach, Vermeil has taken every team—Philadelphia, St. Louis and Kansas City, each of which had a losing record before he arrived—and brought them to the playoffs by his third season at the helm.
Vermeil graduated in 1959 with an M.A. from San Jose State University, where he was the backup quarterback. After serving as assistant coach for San Jose’s Del Mar High School football team for one season and for Hillsdale High School in nearby San Mateo, he then went to Foothill College with coach Bill Walker. During the 1964-1965 school year he was weightlifting coach at College of San Mateo with his brother as an assistant. The following year he was at Diablo Valley College as a football coach. In 1965-1966, he coached Stanford University's freshman football team. Vermeil was hired as the NFL's first ever Special Teams coach by George Allen's Los Angeles Rams in 1969. Except for 1970, when he was an assistant coach with UCLA, he would remain with the Rams until 1974 when he was named as head coach by UCLA. Vermeil compiled a 15–5–3 record in two seasons (1974–1975) as head coach at UCLA, including a 9–2–1 record in 1975 when Vermeil led the Bruins to their first conference championship in 10 years, and a win in the Rose Bowl over an undefeated and number 1 ranked Ohio State team.
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Dick Wood
Malcom Richard "Dick" Wood (born February 29, 1936 in Lanett, Alabama) is a former American football quarterback who played at Auburn before being drafted by the NFL Baltimore Colts in 1959. He never played for the Colts, and signed with the American Football League's Denver Broncos as a free agent in 1962.
Dick played for five different AFL teams during his football career, the only player to do so.
Dick Wood was the first quarterback to throw for a touchdown at Shea Stadium
He completed 522 career passes for 51 touchdowns and 71 interceptions.
In 1966, his only season with the Miami Dolphins, Wood posted the then-worst all-time completion percentage for a season (minimum 200 attempts), surpassed only by Gary Marangi of the 1976 Buffalo Bills.
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Dominic Olejniczak
Dominic Olejniczak was the mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin and was president and chairman of the Board of the Green Bay Packers.
Mr. Olejniczak was born on August 18, 1908 to John A. and Victoria Olejniczak in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was a lifelong resident of the city and on November 24, 1938, married Regina Bettine at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. Dom and Gina lovingly adopted two sons, Thomas Marshall Olejniczak and Mark Dominic Olejniczak.
Dominic served as alderman from 1936 to 1944 and served as a mayor of Green Bay from 1945 to 1955. During his tenure as mayor, the city of Green Bay built a pipeline to Lake Michigan for its water supply. Also, the beltline around the city was planned and developed under Mr. Olejniczak's supervision.
Dominic's love for Green Bay Packers Football began when the team was young. He was attending East High School and lived not far from the stadium which at that time was located on East High School grounds. At that time, a youngster could walk into the stadium with a player and carry his headgear and Dominic was among them. His interest never waned. He continued to be an ardent backer during his years as alderman and as mayor. On July 10, 1950, Mr. Olejniczak was named to the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors and the bond grew stronger. In his dual role as mayor and board member that year, he was a leader in the civic drive that netted more than $100,000 and helped save the franchise.
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Don Chandler
Donald Gene Chandler (September 5, 1934 – August 11, 2011) was an American college and professional football player who was a punter and placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons in the 1950s and 1960s. Chandler played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally for the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers of the NFL.
Chandler was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He attended Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he played for the Will Rogers Ropers high school football team.
After graduating from high school, Chandler first attended Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and then transferred to the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played halfback, punter and placekicker for coach Bob Woodruff's Florida Gators football team in 1954 and 1955. As a senior in 1955, Chandler led all major college punters with an average kick of 44.3 yards, narrowly beating out Earl Morrall of the Michigan State Spartans. Memorably, Chandler also kicked a 76-yard punt against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 1955, which remains tied for the second longest punt in Gators history. Woodruff ranked him and Bobby Joe Green as the Gators' best kickers of the 1950s.
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Don Hutson
Donald Montgomery Hutson (January 31, 1913 – June 26, 1997) was the first star wide receiver in National Football League history. He is considered by many to have been the first modern receiver.
In his senior season at the University of Alabama in 1934, Hutson was a first team All-American for six different organizations and a second team selection by one other. After his career at Alabama, he joined the Green Bay Packers in 1935 and retired in 1945 after 11 seasons.
Hutson is credited with creating many of the modern pass routes used in the NFL today. He was the dominant receiver of his day and is widely considered to be one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, holding almost all important receiving records at the time of his retirement. As of the end of the 2009 NFL season, Hutson still holds the following records: Most seasons leading league in pass receptions (8), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receptions (5), Most seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (7), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving yards gained (4), Most seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (9), Most consecutive seasons leading league in pass receiving touchdowns (5), Most seasons leading league in scoring (5), and Most consecutive seasons leading league in scoring (5) (Source: NFL Record and fact book).
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Don Majkowski
Donald "Magic Man" Francis Vincent Majkowski, "Majik", (born February 25, 1964) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions.
Majkowski attended the University of Virginia, and became the starting quarterback for the Virginia Cavaliers partway into the 1983 season, his first year there. Majkowski led the Cavaliers to the school's first ever bowl appearance and bowl win, in the 1984 Peach Bowl. During his college career, Majkowski's jersey number was "1".
Majkowski was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 10th round in 1987. He was originally issued jersey #5, but switched to #7 the following season in anticipation that #5 would be retired for Paul Hornung. The jersey was never officially retired, but Majkowski is still the last Packer to have worn #5. As a rookie, Majkowski split time with Randy Wright whom he also shared quarterback duties with during the 1988 season. During the 1987 season Majkowski's salary was $65,000, he also received a $10,000 roster bonus.
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Don McCafferty
Donald William McCafferty (March 12, 1921 – July 28, 1974) was an American football coach who, in his first year as head coach of the Baltimore Colts, led the team to a victory in Super Bowl V.
McCafferty played college football at Ohio State University under Paul Brown, where he was a key member of the offensive line. Due to World War II, he was one of a select group of players to play twice in the annual College All-Star Game held in Chicago.
After moving on to the National Football League, McCafferty was shifted to wide receiver, playing one season with the New York Giants. After working in the Cleveland, Ohio recreation department the following year, he was hired as an assistant at Kent State University in 1948. He spent 11 seasons with the Golden Flashes until accepting an assistant coaching position with the Baltimore Colts. During that first season at the professional level, McCafferty was part of the Colts' second straight championship team.
When Colts' head coach Weeb Ewbank was fired after the conclusion of the 1962 NFL season, McCafferty remained with the team as offensive coordinator under new coach Don Shula. McCafferty's easy-going personality helped serve as a buffer against the demanding Shula's quest for perfection, a contrast that played a major part in the team's three NFL playoff appearances during the next seven years. Colts' Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas once said about McCafferty, "He doesn't shout and scream. He's able to look at football objectively without getting carried away emotionally." He was referred to in the press and by the Colts players as "Easy Rider".
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Don Meredith
Joseph Don "Dandy Don" Meredith (April 10, 1938–December 5, 2010) was an American football quarterback, sports commentator and actor. He spent all nine seasons of his professional playing career (1960–;1968) with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last three years as a player. He subsequently became a color analyst for NFL telecasts from 1970–1984. As an original member of the Monday Night Football broadcast team on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), he famously played the role of Howard Cosell's comic foil.
Meredith was born on April 10, 1938 in Mount Vernon, Texas, located approximately 100 miles east of Dallas. He attended Mount Vernon High School in his hometown, where he starred in football and basketball, performed in school plays and graduated second in his class.
Even though he was heavily recruited by then-Texas A&M head coach Bear Bryant, Meredith decided to play college football at Southern Methodist University (SMU). He led the Southwest Conference in passing completion percentage in each of his three years as the starting quarterback, and was an All-America selection in 1958 and 1959. His fellow students jokingly referred to the school as "Southern Meredith University" due to his popularity on campus. He completed 8 of 20 passes for 156 yards in the College All-Stars' 32–7 loss to the Baltimore Colts in the Chicago College All-Star Game on August 12, 1960.
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Doug Atkins
Douglas Leon Atkins (born May 8, 1930 in Humboldt, Tennessee) is a former American football defensive end who played for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Tennessee under legendary head coach Robert Neyland. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Atkins was a fierce defender who was known for using his immense size and agility to his advantage. At 6'8", Atkins would often bat passes down at the line of scrimmage and would use his skills as a high jump champion to leapfrog blockers and get to the quarterback. Atkins was one of the first great exclusively defensive players in professional football and, along with fellow Hall of Famer Gino Marchetti, revolutionized the defensive end position.
Atkins originally went to Tennessee on a basketball scholarship, but once football coach General Robert R. Neyland saw his combination of size and agility, he was recruited for the grid team. After he earned All-America honors in 1952, the Cleveland Browns selected him with their first choice in the 1953 NFL Draft. Atkins also played on the 1951 Tennessee Volunteers football team that won the national championship. Atkins is one of the few players in Tennessee history to have his number retired. He was considered one of, if not the, most dominant defensive players in SEC history. Atkins was the only unanimous selection to the SEC All Quarter-Century team and was selected as the overall SEC "Player of the Quarter-Century" for the years 1950-1975.
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Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie (born October 23, 1962) is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League. He first rose to prominence during his career at Boston College, where he received the prestigious Heisman Trophy and the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award in 1984. His Hail Mary touchdown pass in a game against Miami on November 23, 1984 (dubbed "Hail Flutie") is considered among the greatest moments in college football and American sports history. Selected as the 285th pick in the 11th round by the Los Angeles Rams making him the lowest drafted Heisman Award winner among those who were drafted. Flutie played that year for the New Jersey Generals of the upstart United States Football League. In 1986 he signed with the NFL's Chicago Bears, and later played for the New England Patriots, becoming their starting quarterback in 1988.
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Dutch Clark
Earl Harry "Dutch" Clark (October 11, 1906 – August 5, 1978) was an American football player and coach in the United States. He played college football at Colorado College and then in the National Football League with the Portsmouth Spartans (1931–1932) and Detroit Lions (1934–1938). In his final two seasons with the Lions, he also served as the team's head coach. Clark was also the head coach of the NFL's Cleveland Rams from 1939 to 1942 and of the American Football League's Seattle Bombers in 1944. He also coached as the college level, serving at head football coach at the Colorado School of Mines in 1933 and at the University of Detroit from 1951 to 1953. In addition, he was the head basketball coach at Colorado College from 1930 to 1933 and at the University of Colorado at Boulder for one season in 1934–35. Clark was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963, honored by both as a player.
Clark began his football career at center as a freshman at Central High School in Pueblo, Colorado, circa 1922. Coach Oscar “Ollie” Herigstad reassigned young Clark to fullback, where he earned All-State honors for the Wildcats. At Central, he was also an All-State basketball center, and set South-Central League track & field records in the discus and high hurdles. Baseball was his “weak” sport, on account of impaired vision in his left eye. He earned 16 letters, and graduated in 1926.
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Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Eugene Stephenson (born November 20, 1957, in Murfreesboro, North Carolina) is a former American football offensive lineman and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 1998. He played for the Miami Dolphins from 1980 until 1987, when his left knee sustained an injury in a play involving New York Jets Marty Lyons and Joe Klecko.
Stephenson was an All-American at the University of Alabama, under coach Bear Bryant. Bryant called Stephenson the best player he ever coached, regardless of position. He was drafted by Don Shula and the Dolphins in the second round of the 1980 draft. The 6'2", 255 pound center would eventually become regarded by many as the best center of all time, but was used on special teams only until late in the 1981 season, when Mark Dennard was injured.
With the exceptionally explosive Stephenson as offensive captain, the Dolphins offensive line gave up the least sacks in the National Football League for a record 6 straight seasons, from 1982–1987, which doubled the length of the previous record. After he left, the Dolphins' line would continue to protect the pocket superbly, extending the record to 9 straight seasons.
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Earl Campbell
Earl Christian Campbell (born March 29, 1955), nicknamed The Tyler Rose, is a former professional American Football running back. He, Paul Hornung, and O.J Simpson are the only Heisman Trophy winners to have also been first overall National Football League draft picks and members of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.
He was born in Tyler, Texas, the sixth of eleven children. His father died when he was 11 years old. He began playing football in fifth grade as a kicker, but moved to linebacker and then to running back in sixth grade. In 1973, he led the Corky Nelson-coached John Tyler High School to the Texas 4A State Championship (4A then was the largest classification in the state). Then-Oklahoma Sooners head coach Barry Switzer, who unsuccessfully recruited Campbell, said in his 1989 book that Campbell was the only player he ever saw who could have gone straight from high school to the NFL and immediately been a star.
After his retirement, Campbell has suffered from debilitating injuries that resulted from his NFL career; he had surgery to remove three of his vertebrae, and he suffers from drop foot and persistent knee pain.
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Earl Morrall
Earl Edwin Morrall (born May 17, 1934) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL history. Morrall made Pro Bowl appearances following the 1957 and 1968 seasons.
Morrall led Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan, to a state football championship in 1951, setting off a determined recruiting effort by the University of Michigan, the University of Notre Dame and Michigan State University. The efforts of the colleges were enough for the principal of Muskegon High, George A. Manning, to complain that Morrall's education was suffering.
Eventually choosing Michigan State, Morrall played three seasons for the Spartans, leading them to a 9-1 regular season record in 1955. He capped his senior year with a victory over the UCLA Bruins in the 1956 Rose Bowl game. Morrall also played baseball at Michigan State and played in the College Baseball World Series as a shortstop and third basemen. He was offered the opportunity to play professional baseball but chose instead to play NFL football.
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Earnest Byner
Earnest Alexander Byner (born September 15, 1962 in Milledgeville, Georgia) is a former American football running back in the National Football League and is currently a running backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is the former running backs coach for the Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans.
Byner was a fullback at East Carolina University from 1980 to 1983 where he gained 2,049 yards on 378 carries. Byner was inducted into the East Carolina Hall of Fame in 1998. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Byner was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the tenth round (280th pick overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft. He played for the Browns (1984–1988; 1994–1995), Washington Redskins (1989–1993) and the Baltimore Ravens (1996–1997). He finished his 14-year NFL career ranked 16th on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 8,261 yards on 2,095 carries, with 56 touchdowns. He also caught 512 passes for 4,605 yards and 15 touchdowns, returned 33 kickoffs for 576 yards, and scored a touchdown on a recovered fumble, totaling 13,442 all-purpose yards and 72 career scores. In addition to his #16 rushing yards ranking at the time of his retirement, Byner finished his career within the NFL's top 50 all-time leaders in rushing attempts, rushing touchdowns, and total yards.
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Ed Luther
Joseph Edward Luther (born January 2, 1957 in Gardena, California) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He played college football at San Jose State.
Luther was a backup quarterback behind Dan Fouts with the Chargers. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Bulls in 1985 of the USFL.
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Ed Meador
Eddie Doyle Meador (born August 10, 1937 in Dallas, Texas) is a former professional American football defensive back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1959 to 1970.
Meador graduated from Russellville High School in 1955 as an All-State football player and a three-sport letterman in football, basketball, and track. He has been inducted into the Russellville High School Hall of Fame.
Meador attended Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. During his college career, spanning 1955-1959, Meador seldom left the playing field because he was the tailback, a defensive back, a return specialist, and a co-captain for the Wonder Boys. In addition to football, Meador played basketball and ran track for ATU.
Meador was named All-Conference in the AIC for 3 seasons and was named Little All-American following his senior season at Tech. His collegiate career includes rushing for 3,410 yards and scoring 259 points.
There were other tremendous single-game, single-season, and career achievements that resulted in unofficially setting 19 collegiate records, which have since been surpassed. To cap off his career, Meador was invited to play in the Optimist Bowl in Tucson, Arizona, where all-star-caliber football players from Division I were pitted against all-star-caliber football players from smaller colleges. Playing alongside all-star teammates such as John Madden and John Wooten, Meador's team was narrowly defeated by the players of Division I. He was voted Arkansas Amateur Athlete of the Year in 1958. In 1959 Meador graduated with a teaching degree (Social Studies and Physical Education).
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Ed Rubbert
Edward Rubbert (born May 28, 1964 in Suffern, New York) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins as a member of the Redskins' replacement team during the 1987 NFL players' strike. Rubbert played college football for the University of Louisville. He completed the longest pass from scrimmage in the 1987 NFL season (88 yard TD to Anthony Allen 10-04-87) and led the Redskins to (2) two consecutive wins on their way to the 1987 Super Bowl Championship. Rubbert also started a third game only to be injured; the Redskins eventually won that game behind backup replacement quarterback Tony Robinson, and the following week the Redskins' regular players returned to the field following the end of the strike. Rubbert now coaches a high school near his native Suffern, New York.
Rubbert also played for the Albany Firebirds in the Arena Football League for three years (1991 to 1993) where he completed 42 of 96 passes for 532 yards and four touchdowns and seven interceptions.
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Ed Sabol
Edwin "Ed" Sabol (born September 11, 1916) is an American filmmaker and the founder (with his son Steve Sabol, among others) of NFL Films. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 as a contributor due to his works with NFL Films.
Sabol was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey and raised in Blairstown, New Jersey. While attending Blair Academy, he excelled in several sports, and set a World Interscholastic Swimming record in the 100-yard freestyle race. He continued his noted swimming career at The Ohio State University. He was selected for the 1936 Olympic team but refused to participate because of the games' connections to Nazi Germany. He had some success in the theater as an actor, appearing on Broadway for the production of Where Do We Go from Here. He served in World War II, and upon returning to civilian life, worked as a clothing salesman out of his father-in-law's factory.
He founded Blair Motion Pictures in 1962. Its first major contract was to film the 1962 NFL Championship Game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers at Yankee Stadium in New York. In 1964, Blair Motion Pictures became NFL Films, with an exclusive deal to preserve NFL games on film. It has been said by his son Steve Sabol, of NFL Films, "The only other human endeavor more thoroughly captured on 16-mm film than the National Football League is World War II." In 1995, he officially retired from NFL Films in his role as President and Chairman. In 1996, he was elected to the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. On Feb. 5, 2011, Sabol was elected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
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Elroy Hirsch
Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch (June 17, 1923 – January 28, 2004) was an American football running back and receiver for the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Rockets, nicknamed for his unusual running style.
Hirsch was born in Wausau, Wisconsin. He developed his running style running cross legged over four square cement sidewalk blocks in his home town.[citation needed] Hirsch played for legendary coach Win Brockmeyer during his time at Wausau High School.
Hirsch played his first college season with the University of Wisconsin Badgers in 1942. His nickname was permanently affixed to him by Chicago Daily News sportswriter Francis Powers who, upon witnessing him play for the Badgers against the Great Lakes Naval Station in 1942, wrote "His crazy legs were gyrating in six different directions, all at the same time; he looked like a demented duck."
His commitment to the United States Navy V-12 program in United States Marine Corps required him to transfer to the University of Michigan. He played two intercollegiate football seasons for the Michigan Wolverines where during the 1943-44 year he earned the distinction of being the only athlete at the school to letter in four sports (football, basketball, track and baseball) in a single year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
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Emmitt Smith
Emmitt James Smith, III (born May 15, 1969) is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American. A first-round pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, he played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL.
During his long professional career, he became the NFL's all-time rushing leader, breaking the record formerly held by Walter Payton, and played for three Super Bowl-winning Dallas Cowboys teams. Smith is the only running back to ever win a Super Bowl championship, the NFL Most Valuable Player award, the NFL rushing crown, and the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award all in the same season (1993). He is also one of only four running backs to lead the NFL in rushing three or more consecutive seasons, joining Steve Van Buren, Jim Brown and Earl Campbell. Smith led the league in rushing and won the Super Bowl in the same year three times (1992, 1993, and 1995) when to that point it had never been done. Smith is also one of only two non-kickers in NFL history to score more than 1,000 career points (the other being Jerry Rice). Smith was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, and is the first player from the 1990 NFL Draft to be inducted.
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Eric Dickerson
Eric Demetric Dickerson (born September 2, 1960) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. Dickerson played college football for Southern Methodist University, and was recognized as an All-American. He was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. During his NFL career, he rushed for over 13,000 yards.
Dickerson committed to Texas A&M before reconsidering and decided amongst Oklahoma, Southern California and SMU before his grandmother talked him into staying in the state of Texas to attend Southern Methodist University because she liked SMU coach Ron Meyer. Dickerson was the subject of recruiting controversy when he started driving a new Pontiac Trans-Am during his senior year. At the time he said his grandmother from Mexico bought it for him.
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Erik Kramer
William Erik Kramer (born November 6, 1964 in Encino, California), is a former American football quarterback. He attended John Burroughs High School in Burbank, CA. After attending Los Angeles Pierce College and playing as their quarterback, Kramer transferred to North Carolina State University where he finished a successful college football career. He was not drafted by an NFL team, but did see action in 1987, when he played for the Atlanta Falcons as a replacement player during the NFL players strike. He would then spend some time in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders. Kramer would return to the NFL in 1991, when he became a surprise starter for the Detroit Lions after injuries sidelined Rodney Peete. Kramer played in 13 games, led the Lions to a 12-4 record, their first playoff victory since the 1950s, and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.
Kramer's nickname in Detroit was "Brass", a media-friendly redaction of "Brass Balls". The moniker apparently originated after Kramer called an audible on his first series as Lions' quarterback, having just replaced the injured Rodney Peete. One Lions' offensive lineman turned to another and said, "This guy's got brass balls." Kramer proved to be quite successful as a signal-caller in 1991 and the nickname stuck. His other nickname was "Cosmo", which was due to him having the same last name as the character Cosmo Kramer from the popular TV show, Seinfeld.
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Erik Watts
Erik Watts (born December 19, 1967) is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling in the early 1990s. He is the son of legendary wrestler "Cowboy" Bill Watts.
Watts attended the University of Louisville, where he was a quarterback for the Louisville Cardinals. Watts later trained as a wrestler under his father, Bill Watts, and debuted in 1992. After wrestling for three months, he was hired by World Championship Wrestling. While in WCW, Watts feuded with Arn Anderson. His constant pushes were controversial in that his father was WCW's booker at the time, leading to accusations of nepotism.
In 1995, Watts followed his father to the World Wrestling Federation. In the WWF, Watts was renamed "Troy" while Chad Fortune was renamed "Travis" and put in a tag team known as Tekno Team 2000. Wearing silver smocks and tight zubaz, their gimmick was that they represented the cutting edge of cyberculture. Their tag team made its debut on the May 27, 1995 episode of Superstars in a victorious effort against The Brooklyn Brawler and Barry Horowitz. They wrestled two more matches on TV the following month before disappearing from television until reappearing at the second ever In Your House pay-per-view, acting as lumberjacks for the main event. After the event, disappeared off of television for a year, only to resurface back on WWF television in 1996. They still failed to achieve any success and both men were released from the WWF.
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Eugene Lipscomb
Eugene Allen "Gene" Lipscomb (August 9, 1931 - May 10, 1963) was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League and a professional wrestler. He was known by the nickname "Big Daddy".
Born in Uniontown, Alabama, Lipscomb never knew his father, and moved to Detroit with his mother at the age of 3. When he was 11, his mother was murdered in the neighborhood where they lived and he moved in with his maternal grandparents.
Lipscomb didn't attend college and was picked up as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams. But, not before serving time in the Marines. He spend his service at Camp Pendleton. Then, he played for the Rams for three seasons from 1953-1955. He then played for the Baltimore Colts for five seasons. In two of the seasons he played for the Colts, 1958 and 1959, he earned a spot in the Pro Bowl. He then went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers for two seasons. During his '59-'60 & '60-'61 off-seasons, Lipscomb worked as a professional wrestler.
On May 10, 1963, Eugene Lipscomb died of an overdose of heroin on Brice Street in Baltimore, MD at the apartment of Timothy Black.
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Forrest Gregg
Alvis Forrest Gregg (born October 18, 1933) is a former American football player and coach in the National Football League. During a Pro Football Hall of Fame playing career, he was a part of six championships, five of them with the Green Bay Packers before closing out his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys with a win in Super Bowl VI. He went on to serve as head coach of three teams: the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Green Bay Packers. He was born in Birthright, Texas and attended Sulphur Springs High School.
Gregg played college football at Southern Methodist University.
Gregg was a key player on the Packers dynasty that won five NFL championships and two Super Bowls in the 1960s. Gregg earned an "iron-man" tag by playing in a then-league record 188 consecutive games from 1956 until 1971. He also won All-NFL acclaim eight straight years from 1960 through 1967 and was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls.
Gregg closed his career with the Dallas Cowboys, as did his Packer teammate, cornerback Herb Adderley. They both helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI, making them the only players (along with former teammate Fred Thurston, who was on the Baltimore Colts world championship team in 1958) in professional football history to play on six teams that won World Championships.
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Fran Tarkenton
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton (born February 3, 1940) is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive.
He is best known for playing with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, as well as serving as a commentator on Monday Night Football and a co-host of That's Incredible!. At the time of his retirement he owned every major quarterback record.
Tarkenton also founded Tarkenton Software, a computer-program generator company, and he toured the U.S. promoting CASE (computer-aided software engineering) with Albert F. Case, Jr. of Nastec Corporation. Tarkenton Software later merged with KnowledgeWare (with Tarkenton as president), until selling the company to Sterling Software in 1994.
Fran Tarkenton was born in Richmond, Virginia. His father, Dallas Tarkenton, Sr., was a Pentecostal minister. Fran Tarkenton went to Athens High School in Athens, Georgia, and later attended the University of Georgia, where he was the quarterback on the Bulldog football team. He led Georgia to the 1959 Southeastern Conference championship under Coach Wally Butts. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
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Frank Kush
Frank Joseph Kush (born January 20, 1929) is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Arizona State University from 1958 to 1979, compiling a record of 176–54–1. Kush was also the coach of the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1981, the National Football League's Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts from 1982 to 1984, and the Arizona Outlaws of the United States Football League in 1985. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1995. Kush is of Polish descent and was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.
Kush was born in Windber, Pennsylvania. He played three years as a 5'7", 150-pound defensive lineman at Michigan State University from 1950 to 1952, earning All-American honors in 1952 helping the Spartans capture a national championship in his last season.
After a stint in the United States Army, where Kush rose to the rank of first lieutenant as he coached the Fort Benning football team, he accepted an assistant coaching position at Arizona State under former assistant Spartan coach Dan Devine. When Devine left in 1958 to become the head coach at the University of Missouri, Kush was promoted to the position, which he would hold for the next 22 years.
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Fred Thurston
Frederick Charles "Fuzzy" Thurston (born December 29, 1933) is a former American football guard in the National Football League who played for the Baltimore Colts and Green Bay Packers. Thurston played collegiate ball for Valparaiso University before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 5th round of the 1956 NFL Draft.
He was a key member of the Packers' offensive line during the team's glory years under coach Vince Lombardi, when they won five NFL Championships including the first two Super Bowls. Often paired with fellow guard Jerry Kramer, he led the Packers' vaunted Lombardi power sweep running attack. Thurston was named to the 1961 and 1962 All-Pro teams. Prior to joining the Packers, Thurston played the 1958 season with the NFL champion Baltimore Colts. Along with two former Packer teammates—Herb Adderley and Forrest Gregg—Thurston is one of only three players in pro football history to play on six World Championship teams. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in January 1975.
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Gale Gilbert
Gale Reed Gilbert (born December 20, 1961) is a former American football quarterback who played eight seasons in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, and the San Diego Chargers.
Gilbert was the catcher for a baseball team from Red Bluff, California, which played in the 1974 Little League World Series. That team lost the nationally televised championship game to a team from Taiwan.
In college, Gale Gilbert played for the California Golden Bears. He was the starting quarterback for the Golden Bears in the famous 1982 Big Game where The Play occurred, resulting in California winning with a series of laterals that scored a touchdown.
Gilbert is the only player in NFL history to be a member of five straight Super Bowl teams. He was a member of the Bills, who played in four straight Super Bowls (XXV- XXVIII) and of the Chargers, who played in Super Bowl XXIX. All five teams lost their respective nationally-televised championship game.
Gilbert's son, Garrett Gilbert, is a former quarterback for the Texas Longhorns college football team. In the 2009 nationally-televised championship game against the University of Alabama, Texas lost with the freshman Gilbert at the helm.
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Gale Sayers
Gale Eugene Sayers (born May 30, 1943), also known as "The Kansas Comet", is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons during the 1960s and early 1970s. He played college football for the University of Kansas, and was twice recognized as an All-American. He was a first-round pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, and played his entire pro career for the NFL's Chicago Bears.
Sayers is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. His friendship with fellow Chicago Bear Brian Piccolo was the basis for the 1971 movie Brian's Song. He is a successful entrepreneur in the information technology field and an active philanthropist.
Born in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Sayers graduated from Omaha Central High School. There he set a state long jump record of 24'11 3/4". He went on to play college football at the University of Kansas and was a two-time All-American. During his Jayhawk career, he rushed for 2,675 yards and gained 3,917 all-purpose yards. In 1963, he set an NCAA Division I record with a 99-yard run against Nebraska. In his senior year, he led the Jayhawks to a 15-14 upset victory over Oklahoma with a 96-yard kickoff return. Sayers is considered by many to have been the greatest open field runner in college football history.[citation needed] While being interviewed by Len Kasper and Bob Brenly during a broadcast of a Chicago Cubs Baseball game on Sept. 8th, 2010, Sayers said he had originally intended to go to the University of Iowa. Sayers said that he decided against going to Iowa after the Iowa head coach, Jerry Burns, did not have time to meet Sayers during his on campus visit.[citation needed]
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Gary Hogeboom
Gary Keith Hogeboom (born August 21, 1958) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League and a contestant on the CBS reality TV show Survivor: Guatemala.
Hogeboom reached the spotlight playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Phoenix Cardinals, and Washington Redskins after playing college football at the Central Michigan University and high school football at Northview High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He played for ten seasons (1980–1989) and passed for 9,346 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions in his career, along with 164 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He also had career highs in 1989 with the Phoenix Cardinals with 2,591 yards passing, 14 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. His only appearance in the postseason was in the Cowboys' 1982 NFC title game against the Washington Redskins. Filling in for the injured Danny White, he threw for 162 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions, in Dallas's 31-17 loss. In 1987, as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Hogeboom was one of the few regular players in the NFL who did not participate in that year's player strike. He took the field along with replacement players, who were recruited to continue the league's schedule during the strike. The Colts' victories in those games were crucial in securing their first playoff berth in ten years.
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Gary Kerkorian
Gary Ray Kerkorian (January 14, 1930 – May 22, 2000) was an Armenian-American football quarterback who played four seasons in the National Football League.
Born into an Armenian family. Kerkorian attended Inglewood High School in Los Angeles, and then was a quarterback at Stanford University, where he was a three-year starter. At the end of his senior season of 1951, he held every Stanford passing record and was named a first-team All-American, leading the Indians to a 9-1 record, the Pac-8 championship, and a Rose Bowl berth. He is a member of the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame.
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1952 NFL Draft, and saw duty as both a quarterback and placekicker.
He was traded the Baltimore Colts, and emerged as the starting quarterback for the 1954 season, though the Colts' record was a dismal 3-9. The Colts won the lottery bonus pick for the 1955 NFL Draft, giving them the first overall draft pick. They selected George Shaw, a quarterback from the University of Oregon, and Kerkorian was soon relegated to backup duty. (Coincidentally, Shaw was the younger brother of Tom Shaw, whom Kerkorian had replaced as starting Stanford quarterback in 1949.) The following year, the Colts acquired rookie Johnny Unitas, and Kerkorian slipped to third string.
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Gene Hickerson
Robert Gene Hickerson (February 15, 1935 – October 20, 2008) was an American Football offensive guard who played for the Cleveland Browns in a fifteen-year career from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1973. Hickerson was a six-time Pro Bowler from 1965 to 1970. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 4, 2007.
Hickerson was born in Trenton, Tennessee located in Gibson County, but played fullback at Trezevant High School in neighboring Carroll County. Hickerson became a tackle at Ole Miss. He was considered one of the best offensive linemen in Southeastern Conference history at the end of his collegiate career.
Gene was drafted in the seventh round of the 1957 NFL Draft by the Browns. He was promptly shifted to the guard position on the offensive line in 1958 to better utilize his speed. He was used as a "messenger" guard by Coach Paul Brown, or a guard that delivered the plays in the huddle, while blocking for Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. But after three seasons in the league, he broke his leg in 1961 and fractured the leg again later in the season while watching a game from the sidelines.
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Gene Upshaw
Eugene Thurman Upshaw, Jr. (a.k.a. Uptown Gene) (August 15, 1945 – August 20, 2008) was an American football player for the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League and later the NFL, later the executive director of the National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA). In 1987, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Upshaw was born in Robstown, Texas, USA. He graduated from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University-Kingsville), where he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
After playing football in college at a number of offensive line positions, he settled at left offensive guard for the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League and the National Football League for 15 years. During that time, he played in three Super Bowls; in the 1967, 1976, and 1980 seasons, making him the only person other than Jerry Rice to play the game in three different decades. He also played in three AFL Championship Games, seven American Football Conference title games, one AFL All-Star game, and six NFL Pro Bowls. He was selected by The Sporting News' to the 1969 AFL All League team.
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George Blanda
George Frederick Blanda ("The Grand Old Man") (September 17, 1927 – September 27, 2010) was a collegiate and professional football quarterback and placekicker. The son of a Slovak-born Pittsburgh-area coal miner, Blanda has the distinction of having played 26 seasons of Professional Football, the most in the sport's history, and had scored more points than anyone in history at the time of his retirement. Blanda retired from pro football in 1976. He was one of only three players to play in four different decades, and he holds the record for most extra points kicked. He was married to Betty Harris from December 17, 1949 until his death on September 27, 2010. He had two children.
Blanda was a quarterback and kicker at the University of Kentucky. Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who later won fame and set countless records at conference rivals Alabama, arrived in his sophomore year, following a 1–9 season. The Wildcats lost three games in each of the next three years.
When, years later on a return to the University of Kentucky, recalling the time he met Bryant, Blanda said: "I thought this must be what God looks like."
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George Taliaferro
George Taliaferro (born January 8, 1927) is a former professional American football player. He was the first African American drafted by a National Football League team.
As the leading rusher and an All-American at Indiana University, he led the Hoosier football program to their only undefeated Big Ten Conference championship. A three-time All-America, Taliaferro led the Hoosiers in rushing twice, punting in 1945 and passing in 1948. Taliaferro helped break the color barrier in sports, playing for the Hoosiers two years before Jackie Robinson suited up for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981. While at IU, Taliaferro became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Taliaferro, a halfback, quarterback, and punter, was picked by the Chicago Bears in the thirteenth round of the 1949 NFL Draft but chose to play instead with the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference. He played with the Dons in 1949, then moved to the NFL, where he played with the New York Yanks 1950-51, Dallas Texans 1952, Baltimore Colts 1953-54, and Philadelphia Eagles 1955. He went to the Pro Bowl in 1951, 1952, and 1953.
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Gino Marchetti
Gino John Marchetti (born January 2, 1926) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League. A defensive end, he played in 1952 for the Dallas Texans and from 1953 to 1966 for the Baltimore Colts.
Marchetti enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school in Antioch, California and fought in the Battle of the Bulge as a machine gunner during World War II. Upon returning home after the war, he attended Modesto Junior College (Calif.) for a year before joining the football program at the University of San Francisco, where his team enjoyed an undefeated season in 1951. He was drafted in the second round with the 14th overall pick by the New York Yanks in 1952. In 2004, Marchetti was voted to the East-West Shrine Game Hall of Fame.
During his rookie season, the Yanks became the Dallas Texans, which became the Baltimore Colts in 1953. Marchetti played 13 seasons with the Colts and helped them win NFL Championships in 1958 and 1959. During his career, he was noted for being effective against the run and a relentless pass-rusher. He was voted "the greatest defensive end in pro football history" by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972.
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Glenn Ressler
Glenn Emanuel Ressler (born May 21, 1943) was a National Football League offensive lineman from 1965 through 1974. During that span he appeared in Super Bowl III and Super Bowl V for the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at Penn State University. In 2001 he was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame.
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Greg Landry
Gregory Paul Landry (born December 18, 1946 in Nashua, New Hampshire) is a former American football player and coach who played quarterback in the National Football League from 1968 to 1981 and again in 1984. He played for the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts, and Chicago Bears.
He was the first quarterback selected in the first round (11th overall) of the 1968 NFL Draft after a stellar career at the University of Massachusetts where he was selected All-Yankee Conference for two seasons. In 1971, as a member of the Lions, he passed for 2,237 yards and 16 touchdowns and was named to his only Pro Bowl that year.
In 1976, he passed for 2,191 yards and 17 touchdowns and was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year.
After setting a couple of passing records with the Lions, he moved on to play for the Baltimore Colts for three seasons where in 1979, as a member of the Colts, he played brilliantly despite a 5-11 record and a season-ending injury to starting quarterback Bert Jones. He passed for a career best 2,932 yards and 15 touchdowns that season. He then played for George Allen on the Chicago Blitz and Arizona Wranglers in the United States Football League in 1983 and 1984. He also played one season with the Chicago Bears before retiring as a player in 1984.
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Hank Bullough
Henry Charles "Hank" Bullough (born January 24, 1934) is a former American Football player and coach. He played college football at Michigan State and graduated in 1954. Bullough was a starting guard for the Spartans team that won the 1952 Rose Bowl. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 53rd pick in the 5th round of the 1955 NFL Draft.
Bullough's first coaching position was at his alma mater, Michigan State, where he served for 11 seasons. In 1970, he became linebackers coach for the Baltimore Colts under head coach Don McCafferty.
As defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in the 1970s Bullough is credited, along with his college teammate Chuck Fairbanks, with being a significant figure in bringing the 3-4 defense to the NFL. After Fairbanks was suspended prior to the final game of the 1978 season, Bullough's and fellow assistant Ron Erhardt were named co-head coaches for the remainder of the season. After the season Patriots owner Billy Sullivan appointed Erhadt head coach instead of Bullough. Bullough would remain defensive coordinator for one more season with the Patriots.
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Harold Carmichael
Lee Harold Carmichael (born September 22, 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida) is a retired American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played 13 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles (1971–1983), and one season for the Dallas Cowboys (1984). He played college football at Southern University. Atypical for his time, he was an extremely tall receiver (standing 6 foot 8 inches).
Carmichael was elected to four Pro Bowls in his NFL career, and led the league in receptions and receiving yards during the 1973 season. He finished third in receiving yards in 1978 with 1,072 and was second in receiving touchdowns in 1979 with 11. He was also the Eagles' top receiver of Super Bowl XV, with six catches for 91 yards. He ended his career with 590 receptions for 8,985 yards with 79 career touchdown catches, along with 64 rushing yards on nine carries. He still ranks 18th all-time in career touchdown receptions.
Carmichael was selected to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Herb Adderley
Herbert Allen Adderley (born June 8, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former American football cornerback who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.
He played college football at Michigan State University and was an All-Big Ten offensive star. He is the only player to appear in four of the first six Super Bowls.
Adderley was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 8, 1939 to parents Charles and Rene (White). Adderley grew up there as well. He attended Northeast High School beginning in 1953. He played football, basketball, and baseball, and won All-City Honors in all three.
After high school, Adderley chose to attend Michigan State University under head coach Hugh "Duffy" Daugherty. Adderley led the team in rushing yards in 1959 and pass receptions in both 1959 and 1960. Adderley was the co-captain of the team in his senior year. In 1960, he made the All-Big Ten Conference team and played in the East-West Shrine Game, the Coaches' All-American, and the College All-Star games. Adderley was picked for the All-Michigan State University team in 1970.
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Herman Ball
Herman Ball (May 9, 1910 – January 12, 1999) was a football player and coach who was a long-time assistant in the National Football League and served as head coach of the Washington Redskins from 1949 to 1951.
A native of Elkins, West Virginia, Ball attended Davis & Elkins College for three years beginning in 1932, helping the 1933 squad finish the season as the highest scoring team in college football with 345 points. Following his graduation, his first coaching position came in his home state as head coach at Ridgeley High School.
The following year, he moved south to begin a seven-year stint in Cumberland, Maryland, as head coach at Allegany High School. In his inaugural season at the helm, Allegany finished undefeated, the first of three spotless campaigns during his tenure, the others coming in 1940 and 1941. By the time he departed for the University of Maryland in 1943, he had compiled an impressive mark of 56-13-1.
Ball became an assistant with the Terrapins' football team, and also helped coach the school's baseball and basketball teams. During his third and final year in that role, he worked under the legendary Bear Bryant. Ball also worked part-time as a scout for the Redskins during the 1945 season, then joined the team the following year when he was hired as line coach.
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Howard Cosell
Howard William Cosell (/koʊˈsɛl/; born Howard William Cohen; March 25, 1918 – April 23, 1995) was an American sports journalist who was widely known for his blustery, cocksure personality. Cosell said of himself, "Arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, verbose, a showoff. I have been called all of these. Of course, I am." In its obituary for Cosell, The New York Times described Cosell's impact on American sports coverage: "He entered sports broadcasting in the mid-1950s, when the predominant style was unabashed adulation, [and] offered a brassy counterpoint that was first ridiculed, then copied until it became the dominant note of sports broadcasting."
In 1996, Howard Cosell was ranked #47 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time and in 2011 his first full biography, Mark Ribowsky's Howard Cosell: The Man, The Myth, and the Transformation of American Sports, was published.
Cosell was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to accountant Isidore Cohen and his wife Nellie Cohen. He was raised in Brooklyn, New York. His parents had wanted him to become a lawyer. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in English from New York University, where he was a member of Pi Lambda Phi. He then earned a degree at New York University School of Law, where he was a member of the law review.
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Howard Mudd
Howard Edward Mudd (born February 10, 1942) is an American football offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League and a former offensive lineman in the NFL. From 1998–2009, he was the offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts, with whom he won Super Bowl XLI. He played seven seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears from 1964 to 1970 in the National Football League. Mudd was a three time Pro Bowler in 1966, 1967 and 1968. He retired in 1971 due to a knee injury, and began his coaching career at the University of California the following year.
Mudd attended Midland High School and Michigan State University. While at Michigan State he joined Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity.
Mudd pursued a coaching career following his retirement as a NFL player. He spent two years as an assistant coach at the University of California, before moving to the NFL, and coaching for the San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs between 1974-1997.
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Hugh McElhenny
Hugh Edward McElhenny (born December 31, 1928 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American football running back in the National Football League who played from 1952–1964, for the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions. He was noted for his explosive, elusive running style and was frequently called "The King" and "Hurryin' Hugh". He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970. McElhenny suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, from which he almost died. He was temporarily paralyzed from the neck down and had to use a walker for a year.
After graduating from Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles, McElhenny attended Compton Junior College where he was a starter on Compton's undefeated football team in 1948. One of McElhenny's Compton teammates was future 1952 Olympic gold medalist Sim Iness. McElhenny then starred at the University of Washington where he was an All-America selection. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
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Hunter Cantwell
Hunter Cantwell (born December 30, 1985) is an American football quarterback who most recently was a member of the practice squad with the Baltimore Ravens and has also played for the Carolina Panthers. He was signed by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Louisville.
Cantwell prepped at Paducah Tilghman High School in Paducah, Kentucky, where he became the school's all-time passing leader, completing 458-756 passes, for 7,272 yards, and 70 TD. He set the Kentucky 3-A state playoff record for passing yards in a game (409) while going 31-8 as a starter.
Cantwell walked on to the Louisville Cardinals football team prior to the 2005 season. On November 25, 2005, QB Brian Brohm injured his leg in a game against Syracuse and was out for the rest of the season. Cantwell stepped in and completed 3 of 5 passes for 66 yards, helping the Cardinals to a 41-17 victory. On December 2, 2005, Cantwell started the season finale on the road against the Connecticut Huskies, completing 16 of 25 passes for 271 yards and 1 TD, aiding Louisville in a 30-20 win. In the Gator Bowl against Virginia Tech Hokies, Cantwell played well, throwing for 216 yards and 3 TD. Despite his efforts, Virginia Tech won the game, 35-24. He was voted the Cardinals MVP of the Gator Bowl.
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Jack Ham
Jack Raphael Ham, Jr. (born December 23, 1948) is a former American Football linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is considered one of the greatest outside linebackers in the history of the NFL.
Ham was born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he attended Bishop McCort High School. He continued his education at Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, Virginia for a post-graduate season.
Ham played college ball at Penn State. In his three years as a starting linebacker, the Nittany Lions had records of 11-0, 11-0, and 7–3. In his senior year, 1970, Ham was co-captain, had 91 tackles, four interceptions, and was an All-American. He had 251 career tackles, 143 unassisted. He blocked three punts in 1968, setting a school record that was not tied until 1989.[citation needed] He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Ham was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second-round (34th overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft. He won the starting left linebacker job as a rookie. He was first-team All-Pro six years and was named to eight straight Pro Bowls. He was named the greatest outside linebacker of all time by a consortium of professional sports writers, beating Lawrence Taylor for this honor.[citation needed] Ham was blessed with tremendous quickness — according to Steelers coach Chuck Noll and teammate Andy Russell he was the "fastest Steeler for the first ten yards, including wide receivers and running backs", this was on a team which included John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and Frank Lewis.[citation needed] He was one of the few outside linebackers who could play pass defense as well as the NFL's top safeties. Although he was a ferocious hitter, he was known as a player who couldn't be fooled and was seldom out of position.Maxie Baughan, the great former NFL linebacker said of Ham, "He was one of the more intelligent players to ever play that position. He was able to diagnose plays. You couldn't ever fool him."[citation needed]
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Jack Kemp
Jack French Kemp (July 13, 1935 – May 2, 2009) was an American politician and a collegiate and professional football player. A Republican, he served as Housing Secretary in the administration of President George H. W. Bush from 1989 to 1993, having previously served nine terms as a congressman for Western New York's 31st congressional district from 1971 to 1989. He was the Republican Party's nominee for Vice President in the 1996 election, where he was the running mate of presidential nominee Bob Dole. Kemp had previously contended for the presidential nomination in the 1988 Republican primaries.
Before entering politics, Kemp was a professional quarterback for 13 years. He played briefly in the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL), but became a star in the American Football League (AFL). He served as captain of both the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills and earned the AFL Most Valuable Player award in 1965 after leading the Bills to a second consecutive championship. He played in the AFL for all 10 years of its existence, appeared in its All-Star game seven times, played in its championship game five times, and set many of the league's career passing records. Kemp also co-founded the AFL Players Association, for which he served five terms as president. During the early part of his football career, he served in the United States Army Reserve.
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Jack Maitland
John Frederick "Jack" Maitland (born February 8, 1948 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a former American football running back in the National Football League in the 1970s and earned a Super Bowl ring. He attended Upper St. Clair High School near Pittsburgh, then Williams College. His pro-career was spent with both the Baltimore Colts and the New England Patriots. He played in and won Super Bowl V with the Colts.
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Jack Trudeau
Jack Francis Trudeau (born September 9, 1962) is a former professional American football player and current morning show co-host on Fox Sports Radio. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2nd round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 213 lb (97 kg). quarterback from the University of Illinois, Trudeau played in 10 NFL seasons from 1986 to 1995.
Trudeau was born in Forest Lake, Minnesota. He graduated from Granada High School in Livermore, California.
Trudeau was the starting quarterback of the Illinois Fighting Illini football team his sophomore through senior years. As a sophomore, he led the Illini to become the first and only Big Ten team to beat all nine conference opponents in a single season. The Illini went to the 1984 Rose Bowl where they lost to UCLA 45–9. He earned All-Big Ten honors in 1984 and 1985. He set school records in pass attempts (1151), completions (737), yards (8146) and touchdowns (51 ). He set an NCAA record with 215 attempts without an interception. He was the 1984 runner up for Davey O'Brien Award, given to the top college QB in the nation.
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Jack Youngblood
Herbert Jackson Youngblood, III (born January 26, 1950) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. He was a five-time consensus All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Before playing professionally, Youngblood played college football for the University of Florida, and was recognized as an All-American. He is considered among the best players Florida ever produced—a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and one of only five Florida Gators to be named to the Gator Football Ring of Honor.
After retiring as a player in 1985, Youngblood worked in the Rams' front office until 1991. He also worked in the front office of the Sacramento Surge of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1992 to 1993, and the administration of the CFL's Sacramento Gold Miners from 1993 to 1994. He was a vice-president, then president, of the Orlando Predators from 1995 until 1999. From 1999 through 2002, he served as the NFL's liaison for the Arena Football League.
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Jan Stenerud
Jan Stenerud (born November 26, 1942) is a former professional football player for the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs (1967–1969), and the NFL's Chiefs (1970–1979), Green Bay Packers (1980–1983), and Minnesota Vikings (1984–1985).
Jan Stenerud was born in Fetsund, in the county of Akershus, Norway. Stenerud came to the United States on a ski jumping scholarship to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Late in his sophomore year, Stenerud was spotted kicking a football by the college's baseball coach who relayed the news of his abilities to the football coach. He joined the football team and in 1965 kicked a 59-yard field goal, then a college football record, against the rival Montana Grizzlies. He was recruited to the MSU team by Jim Sweeney.
Stenerud was one of the first professional football players to be used as a dedicated kicker, because of his excellent "sharpshooting" ball-kicking performance. He was one of the first placekickers to use the "soccer style", a technique the Hungarian-born Pete Gogolak had recently introduced in the AFL. During his 3 years in the AFL, Stenerud hit 70% of his field goals, compared with a 53% average for the other kickers in the AFL and NFL.
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Jeff Brohm
Jeffrey Scott Brohm (born on April 24, 1971) is an assistant coach and the quarterbacks coach for the UAB Blazers football team. He previously served in the same capacity at Illinois during the 2011 and 2010 seasons; with Florida Atlantic during the 2009 season; and as the offensive coordinator for Louisville from 2007 to 2008 and as quarterbacks coach from 2003 to 2006 and assistant head coach/passing game coordinator in 2007. During this time, he coached his younger brother Brian Brohm, who was quarterback from 2003 to 2007. Also had brief stint in 2001 as head coach of the Louisville Fire Arena Football team.
Brohm played college football at the University of Louisville. He won the Kentucky "Mr. Football" Award in 1988 while attending Trinity High School in Louisville. Brohm played professionally for the San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns of the National Football League and for the Orlando Rage of the XFL.
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Jeff George
Jeffrey Scott George (born December 8, 1967) is a former American college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons during the 1990s and early 2000s. He played college football for the University of Illinois. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft, and also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks of the NFL.
George was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Warren Central High School, where he was awarded the Dial Award for the national high-school scholar-athlete of the year in 1985 and was the first Gatorade National Player of the Year. Collegiately, he attended Purdue University and the University of Illinois.
George transferred after a year at Purdue University because the coach who recruited him, Leon Burtnett, was fired. Burtnett's replacement was Fred Akers, who had been known for his teams that used a run-heavy option type offense that required a more mobile quarterback. He subsequently committed to the University of Miami, but he backed out when coach Jimmy Johnson would not guarantee him a starting job at the passer-rich school. The schoolboy legend from Indianapolis ended up leaving the home-state school and became a Fighting Illini. He stayed at Illinois for two years, leaving with a year of eligibility remaining after being assured he would be drafted in the first five picks of the NFL draft (he was picked No. 1 overall).
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Jerome Bettis
Jerome Abram "The Bus" Bettis (born February 16, 1972) is a retired American football halfback who played for the NFL's Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. Bettis is considered one of the best big backs ever because of his footwork and power, and is currently sixth on the National Football League's all-time rushing list. He retired in 2006 after a Super Bowl victory at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, his city of birth.
Bettis was born February 16, 1972, in Detroit, Michigan. He is the youngest of three children of Gladys Elizabeth (née Bougard) and Johnnie E. Bettis. Bettis did not start playing football until high school, as his primary passion as a youth had been bowling. He attended Mackenzie High School in Detroit, where he was a standout running back and linebacker. As a senior, he was rated the top player in the state by the Detroit Free Press, and was the Gatorade Circle of Champions Player of the Year award winner.[citation needed]
At the University of Notre Dame, Bettis finished his career with 337 rushing attempts for 1912 yards (5.7 yards per rushing attempt avg.), and made 32 receptions for 429 yards (13.4 yards per reception). In his last game as a junior, a 28-3 win by Notre Dame over Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, he rushed 20 times for 75 yards.
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Jerry Kramer
Gerald Louis "Jerry" Kramer (born January 23, 1936, in Jordan, Montana) is a former professional football player, author and sports commentator, best remembered for his 11-year NFL career with the Green Bay Packers as an offensive lineman. As a 6'3", 250 pound right guard, Kramer was an integral part of the famous "Packer Sweep", a signature play in which both guards rapidly pull out from their normal positions and lead block for the running back going around the end. Kramer was an All-Pro five times, and a member of the NFL's 50th anniversary team in 1969, but surprisingly, even after appearing on the list of finalists ten times since becoming eligible, has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was rated #1 in NFL Network's Top 10 list of players not in the Hall of Fame.
Born in eastern Montana, Jerry Kramer moved with his parents and five siblings from northern Utah to northern Idaho when he was in the fourth grade, settling in Sandpoint. After graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1954, he accepted a football scholarship to the University of Idaho to play for new coach Skip Stahley. In that era, Idaho was a member of the Pacific Coast Conference, the forerunner of the Pac-12.
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Jerry Logan
Jerry Don Logan (born August 27, 1941 in Graham, Texas) is a former American football player. He played as a safety for ten seasons in the NFL. He was a part of the Baltimore Colts Super Bowl V winning team.
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Jerry Rice
Jerry Lee Rice (born October 13, 1962) is a retired American football wide receiver. He is widely considered to be the greatest wide receiver of all time and is considered by many to be the best NFL player to ever play football. On November 4, 2010, Rice was chosen by NFL Network's NFL Films production The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players as the greatest player in NFL history.
The all-time leader in most major statistical categories for wide receivers and the all-time NFL leader in touchdowns scored with 208, Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl 13 times (1986–1996, 1998, 2002) and named All-Pro 12 times in his 20 NFL seasons. He won three Super Bowl rings playing for the San Francisco 49ers and an AFC Championship with the Oakland Raiders.
Jerry Rice was born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, as the son of a brick mason. He developed his hands while working for his father. His speed also helped him excel in football in high school. He enjoyed watching football on television.
According to his book "Rice" (written with Michael Silver), the school's principal tracked him down for skipping class, but when he called his name the startled Rice sprinted off running. After seeing him run, the principal decided to let him join the football team or be punished. Jerry decided upon football and the principal told the school's football coach about his speed. The truthfulness of this story has been questioned.
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Jim Bakken
James LeRoy Bakken (born November 2, 1940, Madison, Wisconsin) is a former American football punter and placekicker for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, and was named by the voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to the Professional Football 1960s All Decade Team, which included both NFL and American Football League players. The voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame also selected Bakken to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
In 1967, Bakken set the record for most field goals in a game with 7 (out of 9 attempts, also a record). The single-game record for field goals was later tied by Rich Karlis in 1989, Chris Boniol in 1996, and Billy Cundiff in 2003 before Rob Bironas broke it with 8 in a game in 2007.
Before his NFL career, Bakken played football at Madison West High School in Madison, Wisconsin. He went on to play three seasons at the University of Wisconsin, where he played on the 1960 Rose Bowl team as a sophomore and led the Big Ten in punting average in 1960 and 1961. He was named to the Madison (Wisconsin) Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, and was later inducted into the UW Athletic Department-National W Club Hall of Fame. In December 2010, the annual trophy for the Big Ten's best kicker, the "Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year" award, was co-named in his honor.
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Jim Brown
James Nathaniel "Jim" Brown (born February 17, 1936) is an American former professional football player who has also made his mark as an actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by Sporting News as the greatest professional football player ever. He is considered to be one of the greatest professional athletes the U.S. has ever produced.
James Nathaniel Brown was born to Theresa (a housekeeper) and Swinton Brown (a professional boxer).
At Manhasset Secondary School, Brown earned 13 letters playing football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball and running track. According to the New York Times:
Mr. Brown credits his self-reliance to having grown up on St. Simons's island, an all-black community off the coast of Georgia where he was raised by his grandmother and where racism did not affect him directly. At the age of 8 he moved to Manhasset, N.Y., where his mother worked as a domestic. It was at Manhasset High School that he became a football star and athletic legend.
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Jim E. Mora
James Ernest Mora (born May 24, 1935) is the former head coach of the USFL's Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars and the NFL's New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. He played football at Occidental College where he was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. His son Jim L. Mora is the current head coach of the UCLA Bruins.
As an NFL coach, Mora is well known for turning two of the NFL's consistently losing franchises into perennial post-season contenders, his lack of success once he got his teams to the playoffs, and his often impassioned post-game tirades and press conferences, including his oft-quoted "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda," "Diddly Poo," and "Playoffs?" tirades.
As a youth Mora became an Eagle Scout in 1950 and was presented the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award as an adult by the Boy Scouts of America. Mora was a tight end at Occidental College, graduating in 1957. His college roommate was Jack Kemp, an all star quarterback with the Buffalo Bills, U.S congressman for 18 years and presidential candidate in 1988. Another teammate was Ron Botchan, who went on to become a successful NFL game official. After playing three years of service football in the United States Marines Mora became an assistant coach at his alma mater in 1960. He moved up to head coach of Occidental a few years later and led the team for three seasons (1964–66) compiling an 18-9 record.
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Jim Everett
James Samuel Everett III (born January 3, 1963 in Emporia, Kansas) is a retired professional American football quarterback who played for twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL).
Everett attended Purdue University and was selected in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft. He was selected as the third pick in the first round by the Houston Oilers, and was the first quarterback taken that year. Unable to work out a contract agreement with Everett, the Oilers traded his rights to the Los Angeles Rams, with whom Everett played from 1986 to 1993. He then played with the New Orleans Saints from 1994 to 1996 and ended his career with a stint with the San Diego Chargers in 1997.
Everett was recruited out of Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico to play either safety or quarterback for Purdue University. He was soon slotted into the quarterback role where he narrowly missed out on being a four-year starter at Purdue, as a game day decision before his first game as a freshman led to Scott Campbell getting the nod over Everett. Campbell held off Everett for three years, one of which Everett was able to redshirt to gain an extra year of eligibility. Upon Campbell's graduation to a seven-year career in the NFL, Everett took over the reins of the pass-oriented Boilermaker offense.
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Jim Harbaugh
James Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh (pronounced /ˈhɑrbɔː/; born December 23, 1963) is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2011. Previously, he was the head coach at Stanford University for four seasons and the University of San Diego for three seasons. Harbaugh is also a former NFL quarterback who played for the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, and San Diego Chargers. He was selected by the Bears with the 26th pick in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan. Harbaugh and his older brother, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, are the first pair of brothers to serve as head coaches in NFL history.
Harbaugh's father was an assistant coach at Michigan under Bo Schembechler for seven seasons during the 1970s. Jim played for the junior league Ann Arbor Packers, then for Tappan Junior High, and attended Pioneer High School. When his father became defensive coordinator at Stanford for the 1980 season, Jim transferred to Palo Alto High School in California, where he graduated in 1982.
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Jim Irsay
James "Jim" Irsay (born June 13, 1959) is the owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.
Irsay was born in Lincolnwood, Illinois, the son of Harriet (née Pogorzelski) and Chicago businessman Robert Irsay. His father was from a Jewish Hungarian family and his mother was the daughter of Polish Catholic immigrants. Irsay was raised Catholic, and did not know about his father's Jewish heritage until he was fourteen. Jim's brother, Robert, was born with a mental disability and died in 1999, and his sister, Roberta, died in a car accident in 1971. Irsay attended high school at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb just north of Chicago, Illinois. After high school he attended, and graduated from, Southern Methodist University in 1982 with a degree in broadcast journalism. Irsay played linebacker for the SMU Mustangs football team as a walk-on, but an ankle injury ended his playing career.
Irsay was 12 years old when his father, Robert Irsay, purchased the Baltimore Colts. After graduating from SMU in 1982 he joined the Colts' professional staff. He was named Vice President and General Manager in 1984, one month after the Colts made their controversial move to Indianapolis. After his father suffered a stroke in 1995 Jim assumed day-to-day management with the role of Senior Executive Vice President, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer in April 1996. When his father died in 1997 Jim engaged in a legal battle with his stepmother over ownership of the team, but later became the youngest NFL team owner at that time at 37. He controls 100% of the franchise.
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Jim Kelly
James Edward Kelly (born February 14, 1960) is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers.
Kelly was the third quarterback drafted in the 1983 NFL Draft, the same draft class where John Elway was first overall. Employing the K-Gun offense, known for its hurry up shotgun formations, Kelly lead one of the great NFL scoring juggernauts in the Buffalo Bills. Kelly led the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls, from 1991 to 1994, but lost all four. In 2002, in his first year of eligibility, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jim Kelly's number 12 is the only number ever retired in Buffalo Bills history. In 2009, Kelly was elected to the Buffalo Bills 50th Season All-time Team.
Kelly grew up in the small town of East Brady, Pennsylvania, about 55 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. He was a standout at East Brady High School, where during his high school career he won all-state honors after passing for 3,915 yards and 44 touchdowns. After his senior year, Kelly played in the Big 33 Football Classic.
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Jim Otto
James Edwin Otto (born January 5, 1938 in Wausau, Wisconsin) is a former Professional Football center for the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League.
Otto played high school football at Wisconsin's Wausau High School, under coach Win Brockmeyer. He then went on to play collegiate football at the University of Miami. In addition to playing offensive center at UM, he also played linebacker on defense.
After no National Football League team showed interest in the undersized center, Otto signed with the Oakland Raiders of the new American Football League. He was issued jersey number 50 for the AFL's inaugural season, 1960, but switched to his familiar 00 the next season. The AFL permitted the unusual number because it was a pun on Otto's name (aught-oh). Otto worked diligently to build his body up to his playing weight of 250 pounds.
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Jim Ringo
James Stephen "Jim" Ringo (November 21, 1931 – November 19, 2007) was a professional American football player, a Hall of Fame center and coach. He was a ten time Pro Bowler during his career.
Ringo grew up in Phillipsburg, New Jersey and played high school football at Phillipsburg High School. He went on to play college football at Syracuse University.
The Packers drafted him in the seventh round of the 1953 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. Ringo was considered vastly undersized at 211 pounds.
He was not, however, unfit for the role, using his outstanding quickness and excellent technique to build a 15-year NFL career, including 11 seasons with the Packers, as one of the game's best centers.
Ringo played for four different head coaches in his Packers tenure. In his first six seasons in Green Bay, playing under Gene Ronzani (1953), Lisle Blackbourn (1954–57) and Ray "Scooter" McLean (1958), the Packers went 20-50-2 (.291).
But Vince Lombardi's arrival in 1959 changed everything, and for Ringo's next five seasons the Packers went 50-15-1 (.765) and 2-1 in championship games. Ringo certainly knew individual success before the Lombardi era, attending his first of seven straight Pro Bowls in 1957,but he flourished under the coaching legend, earning consensus All-Pro honors from 1959-63.
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Jimmy Conzelman
James Gleason "Jimmy" Dunn (March 6, 1898 – August 5, 1970) was a professional football player and coach in the National Football League. He was the head coach of the Chicago Cardinals.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964. He died on August 5, 1970 of lung cancer.
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Jimmy Orr
Jimmy Orr (born October 4, 1935, in Seneca, South Carolina) is a former American Football wide receiver who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Colts for 13 seasons from 1958 to 1970. Orr was a two-time Pro Bowler, as a Steeler in 1959 and as a Colt in 1965. Orr was a popular player during his time in Baltimore and the corner of the end zone in Memorial Stadium where he caught many of his passes was often affectionately referred to as "Orrsville".
Orr played college football at the University of Georgia and was chosen UPI NFL Rookie of the Year in 1958 in a season in which he had 33 receptions for 910 yards and seven touchdowns and also punted. He played his first three seasons in Pittsburgh and his final 10 in Baltimore. Orr retired in 1970 with exactly 400 career receptions for 7,914 receiving yards and 66 touchdowns.
Orr is forever remembered for playing a part in a play in Super Bowl III. On the last play of the first half, Colt quarterback Earl Morrall handed off to Tom Matte, who then threw a lateral back to Morrall in a flea-flicker play. Orr was wide open and waving in the end zone, but Morrall didn't see him (perhaps because Orr was camouflaged by a backdrop of uniformed band members outlining the end zone). Morrall threw instead to fullback Jerry Hill, but the ball was intercepted by New York Jets safety Jim Hudson.
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Joe DiMaggio
Giuseppe Paulo "Joe" DiMaggio (/dɨˈmɑːʒioʊ/ or /dɨˈmædʒioʊ/; November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999), nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper", was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak (May 15 – July 16, 1941), a record that still stands. DiMaggio was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.
A three-time MVP winner and 13-time All-Star, DiMaggio is the only player to be selected for the All-Star Game in every season he played. During his thirteen years with the Yankees, the club won ten American League pennants and nine World Series championships.
At the time of his retirement, he ranked fifth in career home runs (361) and sixth in career slugging percentage (.579). He was voted the sport's greatest living player in a poll taken in the baseball centennial year of 1969.
His brothers Vince and Dom also became major league center fielders.
DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California, the eighth of nine children born to immigrants from Italy, Giuseppe (1872–1949) and Rosalia (Mercurio) DiMaggio (1878–1951). He was delivered by a midwife identified on his birth certificate as Mrs. J. Pico. He was named after his father; "Paolo" was in honor of Giuseppe's favorite saint, Saint Paul. The family moved to San Francisco, California, when Joe was a year old.
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Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. (born June 11, 1956), nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired professional football player, a hall of fame quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with San Francisco, where he played for the next 14 seasons. Traded before the 1993 season, he spent his final two years in the league with Kansas City. While a member of the 49ers, Montana started in four Super Bowl games and won all of them. Montana was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, his first year of eligibility.
In 1989, and again in 1990, the Associated Press named Montana the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Sports Illustrated magazine named Montana the 1990 "Sportsman of the Year". Four years earlier, in 1986, Montana won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award. Montana was elected to eight Pro Bowls, as well as being voted 1st team All-Pro by the AP in 1987, 1989, and 1990. Montana had the highest passer rating in the National Football Conference (NFC) five times (1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1989); and, in both 1987 and 1989, Montana had the highest passer rating in the entire NFL.
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Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath (/ˈneɪmɨθ/; born May 31, 1943), nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) during the 1960s and 1970s. Namath was an American Football League icon and played for that league's New York Jets for most of his professional career but finished his career with the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Namath retired after playing in 143 career games (including play off games) with 68 wins, 71 losses and 4 ties, in his 132 career starts he was 64-64-4, and he was 4-7 coming off the bench in relief. In his career he threw 173 touchdowns, 220 interceptions, and completed 1,886 passes for 27,663 yards. During his thirteen years in the AFL and NFL he played for three division champions (the 1968 and 1969 AFL East Champion Jets and the 1977 NFC West Champion Rams), earned one league championship (1968 AFL Championship), and one Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl III).
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Joe Theismann
Joseph Robert "Joe" Theismann (born September 9, 1949) is a former quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
Following his retirement from football, Theismann began a career as a sportscaster. He now works for the NFL Network, as a color analyst on Thursday Night Football, joining play-by-play voice Bob Papa and Matt Millen. He also co-hosts the network's weekly show Playbook.
Theismann was born to Austrian Joseph John Theismann who "ran a gas station and worked in his brother’s liquor store." His Hungarian mother, Olga Tobias, worked for Johnson & Johnson until her retirement. Theismann was raised in South River, New Jersey, and attended South River High School, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football.
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John Bridgers
John D. Bridgers (January 13, 1922 – November 24, 2006) was an American football coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Johns Hopkins University from 1953 to 1956 and at Baylor University from 1959 to 1968, compiling a career college football record of 59–74–2. Bridgers was the athletic director at Florida State University from 1973 to 1979 and at the University of New Mexico from 1979 to 1987. He also worked as an assistant coach in the National Football League with the Baltimore Colts (1957–1958) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1969).
Bridgers began his career as an assistant coach at the Sewanee: The University of the South (1947–1951), was head coach for the First Cavalry Division Artillery Team in Hokkaido, Japan in 1952 and was head football and track coach at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore from 1953 to 1956. In 1957 and 1958 he served as a coach/coordinator for the Baltimore Colts, where he developed their pro-style offense attack. He carried that style with him in 1959, coming to Baylor to replace the fired Sam Boyd.
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John Brodie
John Riley Brodie (born August 14, 1935) is a former professional American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, and had a second career as a Senior PGA Tour professional golfer.
Brodie was born in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the Montclair district of Oakland and attended Montclair Grammar (later Elementary) School and Oakland Technical High School, where he was a standout athlete. Brodie went on to attend Stanford University, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity. He was selected as a consensus All-America in 1956, his senior year.
Brodie first appeared with the 49ers as a rookie in 1957, seeing limited action. He got more playing time in 1958 through 1960, sharing time with Y.A. Tittle; he became the starter in 1961 (Tittle was traded to the New York Giants), and continued in that role through 1973.
He was among the leading passers in the league throughout the 1960s. His best statistical year was 1965 when he led the League in passing yardage (3,112 yards) and passing touchdowns (30). He appeared in the Pro Bowl in 1965 and 1970. Also, in 1970, he received the NFL's Most Valuable Player Award. When Brodie retired from the NFL, he ranked third in career passing yards, behind only Johnny Unitas and Fran Tarkenton.
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John David Crow
John David Crow (born July 8, 1935, in Marion in Union Parish, Louisiana) was the Heisman Trophy winner and halfback from Texas A&M University in 1957. He was not one of the "Junction Boys," since he was a freshman in the 1954 season and thus ineligible to play under NCAA rules at the time, but played for Bear Bryant at Texas A&M and later played professional football for the Chicago & St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers between 1958 and 1968. Crow received the annual "Len Eshmont Award" on two occasions, 1966 and 1967. This award is voted by the players and given to the 49er who best exemplifies the “inspirational and courageous play” of Len Eshmont.
A street on the campus of Texas A&M University adjacent to Kyle Field is named after him.
Crow grew up in Springhill in northern Webster Parish near the Arkansas state line. He graduated in 1953 from Springhill High School.
In 1956, Crow was part of the first Aggie football team to beat the University of Texas at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
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John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. (born June 28, 1960) is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos. Elway recorded the most victories by a starting quarterback at the time of his retirement. He retired in 1999 and statistically was the second most prolific passer in NFL history. Elway led his teams to six AFC Championship Games and five Super Bowls, winning his last two.
Elway set several career records for passing attempts and completions while at Stanford. He also received All-American honors. Elway was drafted #1 overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts before being traded to the Denver Broncos. In 1987, he embarked on what is considered to be one of the most clutch and iconic performances in sports and in NFL history, helping engineer the Broncos on a 98-yard, game-tying touchdown drive in the AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns. The moment is known in National Football League lore as "The Drive". Following the AFC Championship Game, Elway and the Broncos lost in Super Bowl XXI to the New York Giants. It would be the first of a record five Super Bowl starts at quarterback in Elway's career, a record that he solely held until 2012 when Tom Brady earned his fifth Super Bowl start.
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John Friesz
John Melvin "Deep" Friesz (pronounced "Freeze") (born May 19, 1967) is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League for four teams. Selected in the 1990 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, he later played for the Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, and New England Patriots.
Born in Missoula, Montana, Friesz grew up in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and attended Coeur d'Alene High School, graduating in 1985. He was a year behind Scott Wellman, a two-time all-state quarterback who led the Vikings to the A-1 state finals in 1982 and 1983, winning the first. Friesz spent those seasons as a back-up and became the starter in his senior season in the fall of 1984. His first game was against perennial state power Borah in Boise, who had beaten the Vikings 27-23 at Coeur d'Alene in 1983.The #2 ranked CDA Vikings returned the favor and beat the Lions 19-14 on the then-green AstroTurf of Bronco Stadium. Friesz completed 21 of 40 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns in his starting debut. The Vikings took over the top spot in the state poll and beat Rogers of Spokane 46-0 the following week. They won their first ten games, but lost in the state semifinals 25-20 to Capital, who also had handed them their last loss, at the finals in 1983. The game was played at a neutral site, the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Friesz's future home field. He finished the season with over 1,900 yards passing and 19 touchdowns in eleven games.
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John Hadl
John Willard Hadl (born February 15, 1940) is a former collegiate and professional football player.
Hadl was born in Lawrence, Kansas. After playing halfback on both offense and defense at the University of Kansas as a sophomore, Hadl played quarterback for his last two years at Kansas, and was selected as the school's Player of the Century. He was an All American at running back in 1960 and at quarterback in 1961. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.
Hadl was the first KU player to be picked twice for All-America (1960 and 1961) honors for his skills as a quarterback and half back. Hadl also excelled as a defensive back, and punt returner and punter; he led the country with a 45.6-yard average in 1959. Hadl's No. 21 jersey is one of only three KU has retired. Hadl, who was picked for the all-conference team for three seasons, wound up with 1,281 yards passing and 1,016 yard rushing. Hadl still holds two KU records: Longest interception return, a 98-yard run against TCU; and longest punt, 94 yards vs. Oklahoma.
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John Madden
John Earl Madden (born April 10, 1936) is a former American professional football player in the National Football League, a former Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League and later the NFL, and a former color commentator for NFL telecasts. In 2006, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his coaching career. He is also widely known for the long-running Madden NFL video game series he has endorsed and fronted since 1988.
Madden broadcast with Pat Summerall in the 1980s and 1990s, on CBS and later Fox. He was also the last color commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football before it moved to ESPN in 2006. His last regular role was as a commentator for NBC Sunday Night Football.
Madden has also written several books and has served as a commercial pitchman for various products and retailers. He retired from broadcasting on April 16, 2009 in order to spend more time with his family.
John Madden was born in Austin, Minnesota, to Earl Russell Madden and Mary Margaret (Flaherty) Madden. His father, an auto mechanic, moved the Madden family to Daly City, California, a suburb of San Francisco, when he was young. He attended middle school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and then Jefferson High School, graduating in 1954.
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John Riggins
Robert John Riggins, nicknamed "The Diesel", (born August 4, 1949) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins. Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Riggins was born in Seneca, Kansas and attended Centralia High School in Centralia, Kansas. While there, he was a three-sport athlete, earning high school All-American recognition in football, all-state honors in basketball and twice winning the Class B 100-yard dash state title.
Riggins' high school is now located on John Riggins Avenue, which runs through a main part of Centralia.
Riggins attended and played college football at the University of Kansas for the Jayhawks, where he was an All-American and two-time All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection. Riggins led the Jayhawks to a Big Eight Conference championship win in 1968. The team then went to the 1969 Orange Bowl, which they lost to Pennsylvania State University, 15-14.
During his senior season in 1970, Riggins rushed for 1,131 yards and scored a then school-record 14 touchdowns. He finished his career with 2,659 rushing yards, which broke Gale Sayers's career rushing record for the school (now ranked fifth for Kansas' all-time rushing leaders and 14th for total yards).
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John Sandusky
John Thomas Sandusky, Jr. (December 28, 1925 – March 5, 2006) was an American football offensive and defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Cleveland Browns (1950–1955) and the Green Bay Packers (1956).
After his playing career, he turned to coaching in the NFL. He served as offensive line coach with the Baltimore Colts (1959–1972), the Philadelphia Eagles (1973–1975) and the Miami Dolphins (1976–1994) under Don Shula. He also served as the head coach of the Colts for part of the 1972 season.
Sandusky died of complications from internal bleeding while hospitalized.
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Johnny Sample
John B. Sample, Jr. (June 15, 1937 – April 26, 2005) was an American football defensive back who played in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts (1958–1960), Pittsburgh Steelers (1961–1962), and Washington Redskins (1963–1965), and in the American Football League for the New York Jets (1966–1968).
Sample had the distinction of beginning and ending his career with championship wins in two of the most famous games in professional football history, and winning an NFL championship, an AFL championship, and a World Championship. In his rookie season, he won an NFL championship ring with the Colts in their victory over the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL title game, which became known as The Greatest Game Ever Played. In his final season, he helped the Jets win the AFL Championship against the Oakland Raiders, and then to defeat the Colts in the third AFL-NFL World Championship (Super Bowl III), recording an interception in the Jets' 16-7 win. He is the only professional football player to have won all three: an NFL, AFL, and Super Bowl Championship.
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Johnny Unitas
John Constantine Unitas ( /juːˈnaɪtɨs/; May 7, 1933 – September 11, 2002), known as Johnny Unitas or "Johnny U", and nicknamed "The Golden Arm", was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football League's most valuable player in 1959, 1964 and 1967. His record of throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games (between 1956–1960) remains unsurpassed as of 2011. He was the prototype of the modern era marquee quarterback with a strong passing game, media fanfare and widespread popularity. He has been consistently listed as one of the greatest NFL players of all time.
John Constantine Unitas was born to Lithuanian immigrant parents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1933, and grew up in the Brookline neighborhood. His father died when Johnny was four years old, and he was raised by his mother, who worked two jobs to support the family. His unusual surname was a result of a phonetic transliteration of a common Lithuanian last name Jonaitis. Attending St Justin's High School in Pittsburgh, Unitas played halfback and quarterback. After high school, Unitas looked for an opportunity to play college football. He was passed over by Notre Dame and Indiana.
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Jonathan Ogden
Jonathan Phillip Ogden (born July 31, 1974) is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons. He played college football for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and was recognized as an All-American. Drafted in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft, he played his entire professional career for the Baltimore Ravens. He was an eleven-time Pro Bowl selection and a nine-time All-Pro. Ogden is considered a strong candidate for induction into the 2013 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Ogden was born in Washington, D.C. He received his education at St. Albans School in Washington, excelling not only in high school football but also in track and field. He was a high school All-American in both football and track.
He decided to attend UCLA instead of the University of Florida because UCLA would let him participate in track and field. He later won the 1996 NCAA indoor track title in the shot put. Ogden had an outstanding career with the UCLA Bruins football team, starting as left tackle for four years. In 23 games during his junior and senior years, he allowed just two sacks. In 1995, Ogden received the Outland Trophy and the Morris Trophy, was the UPI Lineman of the Year, and was a unanimous first-team All-American. Ogden's father, an investment banker, told his son to accept UCLA's decision to move him from right to left tackle.
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Junior Seau
Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau Jr. ( /ˈseɪ.aʊ/; January 19, 1969 – May 2, 2012) was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) who became a San Diego sports icon. Known for his passionate playing style, he was a 10-time All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowl selection, and named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.
Of Samoan descent, Seau played college football at the University of Southern California. He was taken by the San Diego Chargers as the fifth overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft. Seau starred for 13 seasons for the Chargers before being traded to the Miami Dolphins, where he spent three years before four final ones with the New England Patriots.
Seau retired from pro football in 2010. A standout on San Diego's only Super Bowl team, he was later inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame and the team retired his number 55. Seau committed suicide with a gun shot wound to the chest in 2012 at the age of 43.
Tiaina Baul Seau Jr. was born January 19, 1969, in San Diego, California, the fifth child of Tiaina Seau, Sr., and Luisa Mauga Seau of Aunu'u, American Samoa. Tiaina Sr.'s grandfather was a village chief in Pago Pago. Tiaina Sr. worked at a rubber factory and was a school custodian, and Luisa worked at the commissary of Camp Pendleton in Southern California and a laundromat. After Seau was born, the family moved back to American Samoa for several years before returning to San Diego; Seau spoke English only from age seven. At home, Seau and his three brothers had to sleep in the family's one-car garage.
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Keith Molesworth
Keith Frank Molesworth (October 20, 1905 – March 1966) was an American football player and coach. He also played and managed in minor league baseball.
Molesworth was born in Washington, Iowa and graduated from Washington High School. When he was 17 years old, 5 feet (1.5 m), 7 inches tall and weighed 98 pounds. Due to his size he never started a prep football game. He started growing during the following year, never getting bigger than 5-9 by 167, however this spurt started his career in sports.
Molesworth went to Monmouth College located in Monmouth, Illinois, where he won three letters each in four varsity sports football, basketball, baseball and track. He became one of the rare 12-letter performers in the history of Monmouth College. He was elected to the Monmouth College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984.
He played as a professional for nine years, the last seven in both baseball and football. Four of the baseball seasons were in Minor league baseball. Molesworth played football for the independent professional Ironton Tanks, who helped defeat the Bears in November 1930 and impressing George Halas in the process. After the Ironton Tanks folded in 1931, he tried out for the Bears and went on to play seven football seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he was the T-formation quarterback in a backfield that included Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski. The 1932 and 1933 Bears were National Football League champions. He was elected to the State of Iowa Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990.
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Kellen Winslow
Kellen Boswell Winslow (born November 5, 1957) is a former American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the league's history. Winslow played his entire NFL career from 1979 to 1987 with the San Diego Chargers after being selected in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Missouri, where he was a consensus All-American. He was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Winslow is currently the athletic director at Central State University.
Winslow did not play high school football until his senior year. Until then, he was a self-described "nerd" who played chess. He was drafted in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Chargers and played for them until 1987, when he retired from football due to injury. Winslow, as part of Air Coryell, led the NFL in receptions in 1980 and 1981, becoming the first tight end ever to lead the league in receptions in back to back seasons. He also exceeded the 1,000 yards receiving milestone in 3 different seasons, including setting an NFL single season record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,290 yards in the 1980 season. The record stood until Rob Gronkowski totaled 1,327 in 2011. In a 1981 regular season game, Winslow tied an NFL record by catching five touchdown passes.
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Kelly Holcomb
Bryan Kelly Holcomb (born July 9, 1973) is a former American football quarterback of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1995. He played college football at Middle Tennessee State.
Holcomb also was a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings.
Holcomb attended Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tennessee, and was a student and a lettered in football as a quarterback, baseball as a shortstop, and basketball and led his football team to the 1990 Tennessee State Championship. He and his wife Jessi have six children, Bekette Joseph born May 21, 1999, Kayla Robyn born October 2, 2001, and Shayne Kelly born December 12, 2004, Haylee Jessica born September 30, 2006, and twins born about 2 months ahead of time on October 6, 2009. Brendan James was born at 7:54 A.M at 3 pounds 12 ounces and Elijah Cooper born at 8:15 A.M at 3 pounds 14 ounces.
Holcomb played college football at Middle Tennessee State University. During his freshman season in 1991, his near-perfect performance versus then No. 1 ranked Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium versus a secondary that featured future NFL players Terrell Buckley and Clifton Abraham put him on the map. For the day, Holcomb completed 20 of 28 passes for 188 yards in his first college start.
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Ken Houston
Kenneth Ray Houston (born November 12, 1944 in Lufkin, Texas) is a former American football defensive back in the American Football League and National Football League. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
Houston played for the AFL's Houston Oilers from 1967 through 1969, and after the AFL-NFL merger, with the Oilers from 1970 through 1972, then with the Washington Redskins until 1980.
Houston was born in Lufkin, Texas and was the third of four children. His father, Herod, owned a dry cleaning business. Houston attended Dunbar High School where he played basketball and football.
Only one school that recruited Houston after high school was Prairie State College (now Prairie View A&M University).Bishop College initially offered him a scholarship, but then withdrew it (the school had yet to be desegregated).
Houston attended and played college football at Prairie View A & M University. For a short time he was a center, and then became the starting linebacker and was selected All-American in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
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Ken Stabler
Kenneth "Kenny" "Ken" Michael Stabler (born December 25, 1945 in Foley, Alabama), (a.k.a. "The Snake") is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders (1970–1979), the Houston Oilers (1980–1981), and the New Orleans Saints (1982–1984). He played college football for the University of Alabama.
Stabler became a highly touted football player at Foley High School. He led Foley to a won-loss record of 29–1 over his high school career—the only loss coming against rival Fairhope High School. He was an all-around athlete in high school, averaging 29 points a game in basketball and excelling enough as a left-handed pitcher in baseball to receive minor-league contract offers from the Houston Astros and New York Yankees. During his high school career, he earned his nickname "the Snake" from his coach following a long, winding touchdown run.
Stabler was recruited by legendary head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant at the University of Alabama, joining the team in 1964. Due to NCAA regulations at the time, freshmen were ineligible to play; therefore, Stabler would sit out during the 1964 season. In that season, the Crimson Tide won the National Championship with quarterback Joe Namath.
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Kerry Collins
Kerry Michael Collins (born December 30, 1972) is a former American football quarterback who most recently played for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history. He also played for the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts in his 16-year career. He played college football at Penn State. Collins is not officially retired but has no plans to return to the NFL in 2012.
Collins was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He attended Wilson High School in West Lawn, Pennsylvania, and played high school football for the Wilson Bulldogs.
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Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner (born June 22, 1971) is a former American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League (NFL) teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing college football at Northern Iowa. Warner would go on to be considered one of the best undrafted players of all time, following a 12-year career regarded as one of the greatest stories in NFL history.
Warner first attained stardom while playing for the St. Louis Rams from 1998–2003, where he won two NFL MVP awards in 1999 and 2001 as well as the Super Bowl MVP award in Super Bowl XXXIV. He led the 2008 Arizona Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII (the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl berth), and owns the three highest single-game passing yardage totals in Super Bowl history. Warner currently holds the seventh-highest career passer rating of all-time (93.7), and the third-highest career completion percentage in NFL history with 65.5%.
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L. G. Dupree
Louis George Dupree (born September 10, 1932 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died August 9, 2001 in Texas City, Texas,) was a professional American football running back for seven seasons in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft.
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LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson (born June 23, 1979) is a free agent American football running back who last played for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Texas Christian University (TCU). He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft and spent nine seasons with that team before moving to the Jets as a free agent.
Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L. T., has been selected to five Pro Bowls and has been an All-Pro six times. Tomlinson won two rushing titles, in 2006 and 2007, and ranks fifth in career rushing yards. During the 2006 NFL season, he set several records and received numerous honors and awards including the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award and Associated Press’ Offensive Player of the Year Award.
Tomlinson was born to Loreane Chappelle and Oliver Tomlinson in Rosebud, Texas. His father left the family when Tomlinson was seven years old. Tomlinson did not see his father very often afterwards. His mother worked as a preacher. At age nine, Tomlinson joined the Pop Warner Little Scholars football program and scored a touchdown the first time he touched the ball.
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Lamar Hunt
Lamar Hunt (August 2, 1932 – December 13, 2006) was an American sportsman and promoter of American football, soccer, basketball, and ice hockey in the United States and an inductee into three sports' halls of fame. He was one of the founders of the American Football League (AFL) and Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as MLS predecessor the North American Soccer League (NASL). He was also the founder and owner of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Wizards and at his death owned two MLS teams, Columbus Crew and FC Dallas. The oldest ongoing national soccer tournament in the U.S., the U.S. Open Cup (founded 1914) now bears his name in honor of his pioneering role in that sport stateside. In Kansas City, Hunt also helped establish the Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun theme parks. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972; into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1982; and into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993. The National Soccer Hall of Fame bestowed upon Hunt their Medal of Honor in 1999, an award given to only 3 recipients in history thus far. He was married for 42 years to his second wife Norma, and had four children, Sharron, Lamar Jr., Daniel, and Clark Hunt.
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Lance Alworth
Lance Dwight Alworth (born August 3, 1940) is a former American football wide receiver. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He retired as a player after the 1972 season.
Born in Houston, Alworth was raised in Brookhaven, Mississippi, where he played football at Brookhaven High School before attending the University of Arkansas. While in high school, he earned fifteen letters. Alworth's sister Ann was fast enough in the 50 and 75-yard dash in track to be invited to the Olympic Games trials, though she declined the invitation. After high school, Alworth was offered contracts by New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. At Arkansas, the six-foot (1.83 m), 180-pound (82 kg) Alworth was a flanker who led all colleges in punt return yardage in 1960 and 1961. He also was a track star, running the 100 and 200-yard dashes (in 10.6 seconds and 21.2 seconds, respectively) and long jump. Alworth was a three-time Academic All-American, graduating with a degree in marketing as a pre-law student. In 1962, Alworth was on multiple All-American teams: Look magazine, Associated Press, United Press International and Coaches. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Alworth is a member of the University of Arkansas Hall of Honor and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame; he was named to the University of Arkansas' 1960's All-Decade Team, and the school's All-Century Team in 1994.
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Larry Morris
Larry Morris (born December 10, 1933 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a retired American football linebacker.
Morris attended Georgia Tech. After college, he played professionally in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons. He was named of the linebackers on the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. He was featured in an article in The Sporting News about former football players who suffer from head injuries that happened during their career. According to the article, Morris has little, if any, recollection of his playing days. He was an MVP in 1963 in the NFL World Championship game, Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants.
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Larry Wilson
Larry Frank Wilson (born March 24, 1938) is a former American football free safety who played for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Wilson was born in Rigby, Idaho. He attended Rigby High School, where a plaque now hangs noting his accomplishments. After high school Wilson played college football at the University of Utah, where he was a two-way starter.
Despite his skill and adaptability, Wilson was not drafted until the 7th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. After originally playing as a cornerback, Wilson switched to free safety, and it was here that he found his place on the team.
Not long after Wilson made the team, Defensive coordinator Chuck Drulis crafted a play that called for the free safety to take part in a blitz. The play was code-named "Wildcat", after Wilson's nickname. When the Cardinals first ran the safety blitz, the pressure was severe since most teams didn't (and still don't) expect a defensive back to take part in a pass rush. This single play also helped to set up today's defenses where a blitz can come from anywhere.
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Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959), nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). He is considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of football, and has been ranked as the top defensive player in league history by former players, coaches, media members, and news outlets such as the NFL Network, and Sporting News.
After an All-American career at the University of North Carolina (UNC) (1978–1981), Taylor was drafted by the Giants as the second overall selection in the 1981 NFL Draft. Although controversy surrounded the selection due to Taylor's contract demands, the two sides quickly resolved the issue. Taylor won several defensive awards after his rookie season. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Taylor was a disruptive force at outside linebacker, and is credited with changing the pass rushing schemes, offensive line play, and offensive formations used in the NFL. Taylor produced double-digit sacks each season from 1984 through 1990, including a career high of 20.5 in 1986. He also won a record three Defensive Player of the Year awards and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his performance during the 1986 season. He was named First-team All-Pro in each of his first nine seasons and was a key member of the Giants' defense, nicknamed "The Big Blue Wrecking Crew", that led New York to victories in Super Bowls XXI and XXV. During the 1980s Taylor, fellow linebackers Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, and Hall of Famer Harry Carson gave the Giants linebacking corps a reputation as one of the best in the NFL.
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Lem Barney
Lemuel Joseph "Lem" Barney (born September 8, 1945 in Gulfport, Mississippi) is a former American Football cornerback who played for the Detroit Lions. He was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
Barney attended Jackson State University where he was a three-time All-Southwestern Conference star with 26 career interceptions. Barney is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Barney was a second round draft choice in 1967. He was named 1967's defensive rookie of the year, and went on to be selected to seven Pro Bowls. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive backs in Detroit Lions history. During his time in the NFL (all of which were in Detroit), Barney had 56 career interceptions, and also gained over 1000 yards returning kickoffs and punts. In Barney's first pro start, he intercepted the first pass in his direction from Green Bay's Bart Starr and ran for a touchdown. Lem Barney and the rest of the Lions defense were coached by six-time Pro Bowl defensive back Jim David. Lem credits Jim David as a mentor and teacher of the highest order. Jim David made the induction speech at the Pro Football Hall Of Fame induction ceremony for Lem. They remained great friends until David's death.
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Lenny Moore
Leonard Edward Moore (born November 25, 1933, in Reading, Pennsylvania) is a former American football halfback who played for Penn State in college and the Baltimore Colts. He came to the Colts in 1956, and had a productive first pro season and was named the NFL Rookie of The Year. He is the great uncle of retired NBA player Donyell Marshall.
Moore was both a great runner and receiver. He lined up both in the backfield as a halfback and split wide as a flanker, and was equally dangerous at both positions in the offense engineered by quarterback Johnny Unitas. Moore averaged at least 7.0 yards a carry in several seasons. He made 40 receptions for 687 yards and seven touchdowns in 1957, the first of five straight years in which he would have 40 or more catches. In 1958, he caught a career-high 50 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns in helping the Colts win the NFL championship. Then in 1959, Moore had 47 receptions for 846 yards and six TDs as the Colts repeated as champions.
Moore was tagged with a number of nicknames: "Sputnik," for the fear he incited in opposing defenses; "The Reading Rambler" and "Lightning Lenny," for his unmatched speed; and "Spats," for the way he taped his high-top shoes, making them look like low-tops.
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LeRoy Neiman
LeRoy Neiman (born June 8, 1921) is an American artist known for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screen prints of athletes, musicians and sporting events.
Neiman was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the son of Lydia (née Serline) and Charles Runquist. He is of Swedish descent. LeRoy Neiman studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
LeRoy Neiman is arguably America's most popular living artist. Known for his brilliantly colored semi-abstract paintings of sporting events and leisure activities, Neiman has perfected an energetic style that seems to explode with dramatic intensity.
He is considered by to be the first major sports artist in the world, challenged only in recent years by a new generation of artists like Stephen Holland and Richard T. Slone.
His unique talents have made his work so admired that he has brought art into the lives of millions of Americans. Neiman served in the U.S. Army during WWII. Following his return in 1946, Neiman studied at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago on the G.I. Bill and then served on the faculty for ten years. During the time Neiman was teaching, he was exhibiting art in competitions and winning prizes. In 1954, Neiman began his association with Playboy Magazine. Since 1960, he has traveled the world observing and painting leisure life, social activities and athletic competitions including the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Kentucky Derby, championship boxing, PGA and The Masters golf tournament, The Ryder Cup, the World Equestrian Games, Wimbledon and other Grand Slam competitions, as well as night life, entertainment, jazz and the world of casino gambling.
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Lindy Infante
Gelindo Infante (born May 27, 1940), nicknamed Lindy Infante, is a former American college football player and assistant coach, who became an offensive coordinator and head coach in both the National Football League (NFL) and the United States Football League (USFL). Infante played college football for the University of Florida, and later served as the head coach of the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL, and the Green Bay Packers and the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL.
Infante was born in Miami, Florida in 1940. He attended Miami Senior High School, where he played high school football and was the star fullback for the Miami Stingarees.
Infante received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and he played tailback for coach Ray Graves' Florida Gators football team from 1960 to 1962. He was also a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity (Epsilon Zeta Chapter) while he was an undergraduate. Memorably, Infante scored the go-ahead touchdown in the Gators' 18–17 upset of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 1960, scored three touchdowns in their 21–7 victory over the Clemson Tigers in 1961, and was a senior team captain and a third-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection in 1962. During his undergraduate playing days, he also suffered two severe injuries: a ruptured lung against the LSU Tigers in 1960, and a season-ending broken leg against LSU in 1962.
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Lou Rymkus
Louis Joseph Rymkus (November 6, 1919 – October 31, 1998) was a football player and coach in the National Football League who was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and also served as the first head coach of the American Football League's Houston Oilers for 1960, winning the league's first championship, but being fired by Oilers owner Bud Adams after a slow start in 1961.
Rymkus was born in Royalton, Illinois, the son of a coal miner who also owned a small grocery store in the town. After his father was shot and killed outside the grocery store a few years later, Rymkus and his family moved to Chicago. With family finances tight, he took a number of odd jobs, including working as a laborer, delivering newspapers and groceries. One of the homes on Rymkus' grocery route was the residence of future Chicago mayor, Richard J. Daley.
In high school, Rymkus attended Tilden Tech (now known as Tilden High School) and began to display his football talent as a powerful lineman. His success led to a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where he played under Frank Leahy from 1940-1942. During his junior year, he earned All-America honors, and after his final season in which he won team Most Valuable Player accolades, was drafted by the National Football League's Washington Redskins. He played one season in the nation's capital before entering the war effort for the next two years.
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Lynn Swann
Lynn Curtis Swann (born March 7, 1952) is an American former professional football player, sportscaster, and current politician. In 2006, he was the Republican nominee to run against the incumbent Ed Rendell for Pennsylvania Governor.
Swann was born in Alcoa, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains near Knoxville.
The Swann family moved to San Mateo, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area when Lynn was 2. As a youth, Swann was raised in neighboring Foster City and attended Junípero Serra High School, where in addition to playing football he was a track star, leaping 24' 10" in the long jump.
On June 10, 1979, during the summer after winning Super Bowl XIII, Swann married Bernadette Robi, the daughter of singer Paul Robi of The Platters. The pair divorced in 1983, and she is currently married to boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.
On June 23, 1991, Swann married Charena (née Shaffer), a psychologist, and they have two sons, Braxton and Shafer. Shafer is attending Central Catholic High School, and Braxton is attending Sewickley Academy.
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Madieu Williams
Madieu Mohammed Williams (born October 18, 1981) is an American football safety for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland.
Williams has also played for the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, and Texas Wranglers of the IFL.
He moved to Lanham, Maryland at age nine, went to DuVal High School in Lanham, Maryland, attended Towson University and the University of Maryland.
After being drafted in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, Williams contributed early by playing in all 16 games. He finished the season with 103 tackles, 11 pass delfections, two sacks, and three interceptions. He returned one of the interceptions for a touchdown.
In 2005, Williams only played in 4 games, missing the other 12 due to injury. He did, however, record 23 tackles and an interception.
In 2006, Williams returned to play all 16 games of the season. He finished the season with 90 tackles, 13 pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
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Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen (born March 26, 1960) is a former American football running back and football analyst for CBS. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997. He scored 145 touchdowns, including a then league record 123 rushing touchdowns, and was elected to six Pro Bowls over the course of his career. He was also a fairly good passer for a running back, completing 12 of 27 passes for 285 yards and six touchdowns, with only one interception. Allen was the first player ever to gain more than 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards during his career.
Allen is considered as one of the greatest goal line and short-yard runners in National Football League (NFL) history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. His younger brother, Damon Allen, played quarterback for 23 seasons in the Canadian Football League and was professional football's all-time leader in passing yards.
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Marion Motley
Marion Motley (June 5, 1920 - June 27, 1999) was a professional football player, a fullback for the Cleveland Browns, and briefly for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Motley attended high school at Canton McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, and played college football at South Carolina State and three seasons at Nevada. As a punishing fullback for the Wolf Pack, Motley played several games at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium against such power teams of the period from the Bay Area: USF, Santa Clara, and St. Mary's; at the time there were no major professional football teams on the West Coast.
During World War II, Motley joined the U.S. Navy, where he first played for Paul Brown with the Great Lakes Naval Training Station team. This team, full of fine players, notably defeated Notre Dame 39-7 in 1945. Motley planned on going back to college to get a degree, but then Paul Brown offered him a job with his new professional team. He started his pro football career in 1946, when the Cleveland Browns were part of the new AAFC.
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Mark Herrmann
Mark Donald Herrmann (born January 8, 1959) is a former American college and professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. Herrmann played college football for Purdue University, and was recognized as an All-American. He subsequently played professionally for five different NFL teams. After retiring as a player, he became the Associate Director of Educational Programs for the NCAA, and currently works as a broadcaster for local football after serving on the Indianapolis Colts broadcast crew for nearly a decade.
Herrmann was born and raised in Carmel, Indiana, where he played high school football for Carmel High School. He also played on Carmel's state championship basketball team in 1977.
Herrmann attended Purdue University, where he played for coach Jim Young's Purdue Boilermakers football team from 1977 to 1980. Herrmann had an impressive college career; in 1980 he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, he was selected as the Big Ten Conference's Most Valuable Player, and he finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. His 9,946 career passing yards set an NCAA record (which has since been broken). He is one of only three Purdue quarterbacks to start in three consecutive bowl games (Drew Brees did the same, and Kyle Orton started four straight). Herrmann won all three of his bowl games, and was selected Most Valuable Player in each of them: the 1978 Peach Bowl, the 1979 Bluebonnet Bowl, and the 1980 Liberty Bowl. He also holds the Liberty Bowl record for passing touchdowns.
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Mark Malone
Mark M. Malone (born November 22, 1958 in El Cajon, California) is a former American football quarterback in the NFL.
Malone was the nation's most recruited quarterback in 1975 out of El Cajon Valley High School near San Diego, California. He also was recruited by the USOC as a possible decathlete for the 1980 Olympics.
He was a three-year starter at Arizona State University, was named the 1980 Senior Bowl MVP, and was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 28th pick in the 1980 NFL draft.
He played eight seasons (1980–1987) with the Steelers, becoming the fourth-ranked quarterback in franchise history with 8,582 yards. His highlights with the Steelers included giving the eventual Super Bowl Champion 49ers its only loss in 1984, and guiding the Steelers to the 1984 AFC Championship Game against the Miami Dolphins. He was traded on April 12, 1988, to the San Diego Chargers for his last, full NFL season. He would play one more game in 1989 with the New York Jets. For his career Malone passed for 10,175 yards and 60 TDs, and rushed 159 times for 628 yards and 18 TDs. Malone also had one career reception for a 90-yard TD, a Steelers team record until Mike Wallace broke it with a 95-yard TD reception vs. Arizona in 2011. Malone's career, however, was plagued with several severe injuries.
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Mark Moseley
Mark DeWayne Moseley (born March 12, 1948 in Laneville, Texas) is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1970), the Houston Oilers (1971–1972), the Washington Redskins (1974–1986), and the Cleveland Browns (1986). He won the Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season. He is the only placekicker to win the award.
With the retirement of the Minnesota Vikings' Rick Danmeier in 1982, Moseley became the sole full-time straight on placekicker in the National Football League; there has only been one other (Dirk Borgognone, who played two games in 1995) since then. In the 1960s, the newer soccer style was introduced by the Hungarian brothers Pete and Charlie Gogolak, and it became increasingly popular.
In the Washington Redskins' 27-17 victory in Super Bowl XVII over the Miami Dolphins, Moseley kicked two field goals and was successful on all three of his extra point attempts. During the following season, he led the NFL in scoring with 161 points.
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Mark Vlasic
Mark Richard Vlasic (born October 25, 1963) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. During this time, he played for the San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Over the course of his career, he played in 15 games, completed 75 of 142 passes for 762 yards, threw four touchdowns and five interceptions, and finished his career with a passer rating of 63.2.
A graduate of Center High School and the University of Iowa, Vlasic was selected 88th in the 1987 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He was a backup for Dan Fouts during his first season, then started two games the following year. After not seeing playing time in 1989, Vlasic started the season opener in 1990, his last year with San Diego. He played for two seasons with Kansas City and one with Tampa Bay, but was released in 1994, having not had actual playing time since 1991.
Vlasic was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania. He attended high school at Center High School in Center Township, Pennsylvania, and was a standout in football and basketball during his time there. He was the starting quarterback for Center in his junior year, throwing for 777 yards in the first eight games of the season. In his junior year of basketball, Vlasic was a starter, in one game scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds with a bad back. He continued to play football and basketball during his senior year, with performances that included a 36-point effort against Las Vegas Western High School, making 18 of 20 shots. As a result of his high school career, Vlasic was inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
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Marty Lyons
Martin Anthony Lyons (born January 15, 1957) is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League for eleven seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. Lyons played college football for the University of Alabama, and earned All-American honors. Selected in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft, he played his entire professional career for the NFL's New York Jets. He was a member of the Jets' famed "New York Sack Exchange," the team's dominant front four in 1981 and 1982 that also featured Mark Gastineau, Abdul Salaam and Joe Klecko.
Lyons grew up in Pinellas Park, Florida and attended St. Petersburg Catholic High School.
Lyons attended the University of Alabama, where he played for coach Bear Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide football team from 1975 to 1978. At Alabama, he had 202 tackles, 6 fumbles forced and 4 recovered. As a senior in 1978, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, and helped lead the Crimson Tide to a National Championship in 1978. He was a key player in the set of fourth quarter plays known as "The Goal Line Stand" in the 1979 Sugar Bowl. It was Lyons that delivered what would become a famous line amongst Alabama fans just before the fourth-down play of the sequence. When asked by Penn State quarterback Chuck Fusina how far the ball was from the goal line, Lyons replied, "'Bout a foot. You better pass." Alabama was 31-5 during his years as a player.
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Marv Matuszak
Marvin H. Matuszak (September 12, 1931 – February 28, 2004) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League and in the American Football League. He went to two NFL Pro Bowls and was once an AFL All-Star during his 12-year pro football career. After retiring he was an assistant coach in the pros for 16 seasons for five different teams. The South Bend native was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
He is often erroneously called the father of former NFL defensive lineman John Matuszak. John's father's middle initial is "F" and he was still living when a photo of the family gravestone was taken in 2007. Hence, this Marvin H. Matuszak who died in 2004 is not John's father.
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Marvin Harrison
Marvin Daniel Harrison (born August 25, 1972) is a former American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse. He spent his entire 13-year career with the Colts, and is widely considered as one of the greatest and most productive wide receivers in NFL history.
Harrison was a three-year starter at Syracuse University, playing with Donovan McNabb in his final year. Harrison set a school record with 2,718 career receiving yards and ranked second in school history with 20 receiving touchdowns to Rob Moore. Harrison graduated with a degree in retailing.
Harrison was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 19th selection in the 1996 NFL Draft, a selection which was obtained in a trade that sent Jeff George to the Atlanta Falcons. Harrison has gone on to become one of the most productive receivers from that draft class, which included Keyshawn Johnson, Eric Moulds, Bobby Engram, Muhsin Muhammad, Eddie Kennison, Terry Glenn, Amani Toomer, Joe Horn, and Terrell Owens among others.
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Matt Birk
Matthew Robert Birk (born July 23, 1976) is an American football center for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Harvard.
Birk is a two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection.
Birk attended Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was an excellent student-athlete, letterman and a standout in football, basketball, and track & field. He was an All-St. Paul Conference honoree, an Academic All-State honoree, and an All-State honoree in both football and basketball. Matt Birk graduated from Cretin-Derham High School in 1994. He recorded a 3.8 GPA and scored a 34 on his ACT, enabling him to attend Harvard.
Birk graduated from Harvard University in 1998 with a degree in Economics. While playing for the Harvard Crimson, he attained All-Ivy League, All-New England and Division I-AA All-ECAC first team football honors.
Birk was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 6th round (173rd overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft. During his first two seasons with the Vikings, he appeared in 22 games as a back-up offensive lineman. In 2000, he took over the starting center position for the Vikings, starting all 16 games and was named to his first Pro Bowl team. Birk started every game for the Vikings at center from 2000-2003.
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Matt Stover
John Matthew "Matt" Stover (born January 27, 1968) is a former American Football placekicker. As of the start of the 2009 NFL season, he was the third most accurate kicker in the history of the National Football League. He is of Greek origin. He has played for the New York Giants, the Cleveland Browns, and the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he played for 13 seasons. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts in October 2009 to replace injured kicker Adam Vinatieri.
Stover attended Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Texas (Class of 1986), the alma mater of fellow NFL placekicker Phil Dawson (Cleveland Browns). Stover won All-District honors as both a wide receiver and kicker. During the 1985-86 LHHS season he kicked a 53-yard field goal.
Prior to his NFL career, Stover attended Louisiana Tech University, where he joined the Alpha Omega chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon and served as vice president. He graduated with a degree in marketing. During his college career, Stover successfully converted on 64 of 88 field goal attempts. As a sophomore, facing Texas A&M, he kicked a 57-yard field goal, then a school record. He also punted as a senior, punting 36 times for 1,277 yards (34.1 yards per punt avg). He left Louisiana Tech with 262 career total points and seven field goals of 50 yards or more. While at La Tech, Stover would usually kick the ball through the goal posts on the first kick-off of the game.
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Mel Blount
Melvin Cornell Blount (born April 10, 1948 in Vidalia, Georgia) is a former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back, five-time Pro Bowler and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Blount is considered one of the best cornerbacks to have ever played in the NFL. His physical style of play made him one of the most feared defensive backs in the game at a time when pass interference rules were less stringent.
The early years of his life were spent in poverty on a Georgia farm. But by college, Blount was a star in baseball, football, basketball, and track. Upon graduation, he was offered a scholarship to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While there, he was a Pro-Scouts All-American pick as both safety and cornerback.
Blount was the prototype cornerback of his era and a major reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers were the dominant team of the National Football League in the 1970s.[citation needed] A third-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970, he had the size, speed, and quickness for the position, plus the toughness and his mental ability to adjust his coverage tactics and excel despite rule changes that favored receivers.
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Mel Renfro
Melvin Lacy "Mel" Renfro (born December 30, 1941 in Houston, Texas) is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League who spent his entire fourteen-year career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Mel Renfro attended high school in Portland, Oregon. He was enrolled at Jefferson High School, which is celebrating its 100th year in 2009. He is with the "Notable Alumni", along with Terry Baker, Aaron Miles, Ime Udoka, and Pete Ward.
Renfro attended the University of Oregon, where he excelled as a track star and as a two-way football player, an All-American halfback and defensive back. In his three seasons with the Ducks, Renfro rushed for 1,532 yards and scored 141 points.
One of Renfro's best collegiate games took place against Rice University at Houston in 1962. Renfro shined on both offense and defense, leading the Ducks to a 31-12 victory. Rice Stadium had been a whites-only facility prior to the Ducks' visit, but university officials allowed Renfro's family to enter and sit in a special section of the stadium near the 35-yard line. According to a contemporary account in the Eugene (Ore.) Register-Guard, when Renfro left the game, he was given a loud and appreciative ovation by the Rice crowd. An Oregon sportswriter asked a Houston counterpart in the press box if an African-American had ever received such an ovation by a predominantly white crowd. The Texan enthusiastically replied, "We've never seen any player that good!" The morning after the game, a Houston paper headlined, "Renfro Runs Rice Ragged."
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Merlin Olsen
Merlin Jay Olsen (September 15, 1940 – March 11, 2010) was an American football player in the National Football League, NFL commentator, and actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. As an actor he portrayed the farmer Jonathan Garvey on Little House on the Prairie. After leaving that series, he starred in his own NBC drama, Father Murphy, playing the title role of a foster dad posing as a traveling priest.
Born to Lynn Jay and Merle Barrus Olsen in Logan, Utah, the second of nine siblings and the first-born son, Merlin Olsen had three brothers and five sisters: Colleen, Clark, Lorraine, Gwen, Phil, Winona, Ramona, and Orrin.
Olsen attended Utah State University where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and was a three-year letterman in football as a defensive tackle. He graduated from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at USU with a bachelor's degree in Finance in 1962 and a master's degree in Economics in 1971. He later received an honorary doctorate degree in business from the Huntsman School. In football, as a senior, he was a consensus All-American selection (making the vast majority of All-America teams) and was the winner of the Outland Trophy. After Olsen's junior year of 1960 he was also named All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and Newspaper Enterprise Association. He was also All-Conference in both 1960 and 1961. Olsen and Utah State were in the 1960 Sun Bowl, losing to New Mexico State, 20–13. Led by Olsen, the Aggie defense held the New Mexico State Aggies to just 44 rushing yards on 32 carries.
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Michael McCrary
Michael Curtis McCrary (born July 7, 1970) is a former American Football defensive end who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Baltimore Ravens for ten seasons in the NFL between 1993 and 2002. McCrary was a two time Pro Bowler in 1998 and 1999. McCrary was inducted to the Ravens' Ring of Honor in 2004. McCrary is now doing commentary for the Ravens on WBAL-AM and created Mac's Miracle Fund; a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting programs and creating unique initiatives that foster self-esteem, build character, and promote academic and athletic excellence in children in need.
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Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Atlanta Falcons for six seasons before serving time in prison for his involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring.
Vick played college football at Virginia Tech, where as a freshman he placed third in the Heisman Trophy balloting. He left after his sophomore year to enter the NFL and was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft. He became the first African-American quarterback to be selected first overall in an NFL Draft. In six seasons with the Falcons, he gained wide popularity for his performance on the field, and led the Falcons to the playoffs twice. Vick ranks first among quarterbacks in career rushing yards.
In April 2007, Vick was implicated in an illegal interstate dog fighting ring that had operated over five years. In August 2007, he pleaded guilty to federal felony charges and served 21 months in prison, followed by two months in home confinement. With the loss of his NFL salary and product endorsement deals, combined with previous financial mismanagement, Vick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2008. Falcons owner Arthur Blank did not want Vick on the Falcons, and after attempts to trade him failed, Vick was released. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and was reinstated in week 3 of the 2009 season.
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Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. (born October 18, 1939) is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head coach. Ditka was the only individual to participate in both of the last two Chicago Bears' championships, as a player in 1963 and as head coach in 1985.
Ditka was born as Michael Dyczko in the Pittsburgh-area town of Carnegie, Pennsylvania on October 18, 1939. The oldest child of Mike Sr. and Charlotte, he grew up in nearby Aliquippa, Pennsylvania with siblings Ashton, David, and Mary Ann. Mike Sr., a welder, was one of three brothers of a Ukrainian family in the coal mining and steel manufacturing area in Western Pennsylvania. The surname "Dyczko" was difficult to pronounce in his hometown, so the family name was changed to "Ditka." Ditka attended St. Titus School.
A three-sport star at Aliquippa High School, Ditka hoped to escape his hometown's manufacturing jobs by attending college with a football scholarship. Planning to become a dentist, he was recruited by Notre Dame, Penn State, and University of Pittsburgh. Ditka played for the University of Pittsburgh from 1958–1960, where he also became a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He started all three seasons and is widely considered one of the best tight ends in college football history. In addition to playing tight end, he also served as the team's punter. He led the team in receiving in all three of his seasons with them and was a first team selection on the College Football All-America Team in his senior year. In 1986, he was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
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Mike Pagel
Mike John Pagel (born September 13, 1960) is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 4th round of the 1982 NFL Draft. A 6'2", 206 lb (93 kg). quarterback from Arizona State, Pagel played in 12 NFL seasons from 1982-1993. While with the Colts, Pagel wore number 18, which was worn by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning from 1998-2011.
Drafted the same year as highly touted Art Schlichter, Pagel was drafted to be groomed as a backup. Generally he out-played Schlichter. Pagel bounced in and out of the starting QB job for the Colts in his four seasons with the Colts, alternating with Art Schlichter, Matt Kofler, and Mark Herrmann. He was traded to Cleveland for the 1986 season and served for the next five years there strictly as a backup. In 1988 he took over for an injured Bernie Kosar and Don Strock and played well in a playoff loss to the Houston Oilers.
Pagel finished up the last three years with the Los Angeles Rams, never garnering more than mop-up duties.
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Mike Singletary
Michael "Mike" Singletary (born October 9, 1958) is an American football coach and former professional football player. He is currently the linebacker coach and assistant head coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.
After playing college football for the Baylor Bears, Singletary was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 2nd round of the 1981 NFL Draft and was known as "The Heart of the Defense" for the Chicago Bears' Monsters of the Midway in the mid-1980s. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Singletary later pursued a career as a coach, first as a linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens, then as the linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He was the team's interim head coach in 2008, and coached the 49ers until he was fired in 2010.
Singletary was born in Houston, Texas. He attended high school at Evan E. Worthing High School in Houston, and he was a star football player there.
Singletary attended college at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. At Baylor, Singletary earned All-America honors in both junior (1979) and senior (1980) years, where he averaged 15 tackles per game and established a team record with 232 tackles in 1978, including 35 in a game against the University of Houston. During Singletary's senior season of 1980, Baylor won 10 games, marking the first time in school history that had been accomplished.
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Mike Sommer
Michael Sandor Sommer (born October 9, 1934 in Washington, D.C.) Sommer attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, DC where he was an ALL High running back, leading the Tigers to the Interhigh championship in 1952 scoring 5 TD's against arch rival Western. A week later, WW defeated Catholic league champion St Johns for the City Title in Griffith Stadium, 24-6. Sommer scored a 44 yd TD and threw 23yd for another score. Sommer was also the Interhigh's Sprint champion in track that year.
Sommer played three seasons as a back at George Washington. The team had a combined record of 15-12-1 during Mike's career and defeated UTEP in the 1957 Sun Bowl, 13-0. In 1955 and 1957, Sommer was named All-Southern Conference first team and was drafted as the 16th player in the 1958 NFL Draft by the hometown Washington Redskins.
Sommer is a former American football halfback in the National Football League, playing 3 yrs for the Washington Redskins and 3 yrs for the Baltimore Colts. He also played 1 year in the American Football League for the Oakland Raiders.
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Mike Webster
Michael Lewis "Iron Mike" Webster (March 18, 1952 – September 24, 2002) was an American football player who played center in the National Football League from 1974 to 1990 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "Iron Mike" anchored the Steelers' offensive line during much of their run of four Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1979 and is considered by some as the best center in NFL history.
Mike Webster was regarded as the best center in the Big Ten during most of his career at the University of Wisconsin. At 6-foot-1, 255 pounds, he was drafted in the 5th round of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Serving as a backup at center and guard for two years and being mentored by veteran Ray Mansfield, Mike became the team's starting center in 1976, where he would remain for 150 straight games until 1986. These years included four Super Bowl wins by the Steelers, and Mike and Terry Bradshaw are consequently one of the most well-known center-quarterback pairs in history. Webster was honored as an All-Pro seven times and played in the Pro Bowl nine times. An avid weightlifter, Webster was known for playing with bare arms to intimidate his opponents on even the coldest of Pittsburgh winter afternoons. Webster is also perhaps the best-known of a long line of All-Pro centers for the Steelers from 1964 to 2006, which primarily included just four men in 43 years: Mansfield, Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Jeff Hartings. In his last year in Pittsburgh, Webster returned the favor by mentoring the then-rookie Dawson in the same manner Mansfield mentored Webster earlier in his career.
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Milt Davis
Milton Eugene Davis (May 31, 1929 – September 29, 2008) was a defensive back who played four seasons in the NFL for the Baltimore Colts. He had 27 career interceptions with the Colts, and he led the NFL in interceptions in 1957 and 1959.
The 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) 188 pounds (85 kg) defensive back was born May 31, 1929 on the Fort Gibson Indian reservation in Muskogee, Oklahoma to parents of African American and Native American ancestry. He moved as a toddler to Los Angeles, California
He attended Jefferson High School and Los Angeles City College, both in Los Angeles. He worked at the Vista Del Mar Jewish orphanage as a counselor while attending college. His track performance earned him a partial scholarship at the University of California, Los Angeles. He earned a spot on the UCLA Bruins football team in both 1952 and 1953 under coach Red Sanders, and played in the team's 1954 Rose Bowl 28-20 loss to the Michigan State Spartans.
The Detroit Lions drafted him in 1954, the same year he was drafted into the United States Army, serving there for two years. After his return from the Army, the Lions told him "We don't have a black teammate for you to go on road trips, therefore you can't stay on our team."
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Moses Moreno
Moses Moreno (born September 5, 1975) was an American football quarterback. His brother, Zeke Moreno, also played in the National Football League as a middle linebacker.
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Norm Van Brocklin
Norman Mack "Norm" Van Brocklin (March 15, 1926 – May 2, 1983), nicknamed "The Dutchman", was an American football player and coach. He was also a first rate punter in college and in the NFL. Van Brocklin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Van Brocklin was born in Parade, Dewey County, South Dakota to Mack and Ethel Van Brocklin and grew up in Walnut Creek, California. He played high school football at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California.
Van Brocklin served in the United States Navy from 1943 through 1945.
Van Brocklin led the Oregon Ducks to a 16-5 record as a starter, including tying with Cal for the 1948 title of the Pacific Coast Conference, forerunner of the Pac-10. Oregon did not go to the Rose Bowl, however, because Cal was voted by the other schools to represent the PCC in the game. Among the Cal voters was the University of Washington, which elevated the intensity of the Oregon-Washington rivalry. Oregon received an invitation to play SMU in the 1949 Cotton Bowl Classic, which they accepted. It was the first time that a Pacific Coast team played in a major bowl game other than the Rose Bowl. SMU won 20–13. That season, Van Brocklin was honored with an All-America selection and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Coincidentally, the Heisman Trophy winner that year was SMU running back Doak Walker. Both Walker and Van Brocklin got Outstanding Player recognition for their performance in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
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Norman Van Brocklin
Norman Mack "Norm" Van Brocklin (March 15, 1926 – May 2, 1983), nicknamed "The Dutchman", was an American football player and coach. He was also a first rate punter in college and in the NFL. Van Brocklin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Van Brocklin was born in Parade, Dewey County, South Dakota to Mack and Ethel Van Brocklin and grew up in Walnut Creek, California. He played high school football at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California.
Van Brocklin served in the United States Navy from 1943 through 1945.
Van Brocklin led the Oregon Ducks to a 16-5 record as a starter, including tying with Cal for the 1948 title of the Pacific Coast Conference, forerunner of the Pac-10. Oregon did not go to the Rose Bowl, however, because Cal was voted by the other schools to represent the PCC in the game. Among the Cal voters was the University of Washington, which elevated the intensity of the Oregon-Washington rivalry. Oregon received an invitation to play SMU in the 1949 Cotton Bowl Classic, which they accepted. It was the first time that a Pacific Coast team played in a major bowl game other than the Rose Bowl. SMU won 20–13. That season, Van Brocklin was honored with an All-America selection and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Coincidentally, the Heisman Trophy winner that year was SMU running back Doak Walker. Both Walker and Van Brocklin got Outstanding Player recognition for their performance in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
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O. J. Simpson
Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson (born July 9, 1947), nicknamed "The Juice", is a retired American college and professional football player, football broadcaster and actor. Simpson was a running back, the American Football League's Buffalo Bills' first overall pick in the 1969 Common Draft, and the first professional football player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season, a mark he set in 1973. While five other players have passed the 2,000 rush yard mark he stands alone as the only player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a fourteen-game season (professional football changed to a sixteen-game season in 1978). He holds the record for the single season yards-per-game average, which stands at 143.1 ypg. Simpson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. He also had a successful career in acting and sports commentary.
In 1995, Simpson was acquitted of the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman after a lengthy, internationally publicized criminal trial – the People v. Simpson. In 1997 a civil court awarded a judgment against Simpson for their wrongful deaths; to date he has paid little of the $33.5 million penalty. His book, If I Did It (2006), which purports to be a first-person fictional account of the murders had he actually committed them, was withdrawn by the publisher just before its release. The book was later released by the Goldman family. In September 2007, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, and charged with numerous felonies, including armed robbery and kidnapping. In 2008, he was found guilty and sentenced to thirty-three years' imprisonment, with a minimum of nine years without parole. He is serving his sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nevada.
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Ollie Matson
Ollie Genoa Matson II (May 1, 1930 – February 19, 2011) was an American Olympic medal winning sprinter and professional American football running back who played in the National Football League, in 1952 and from 1954 to 1966. He graduated from George Washington High School in San Francisco in 1948.
Matson attended the City College of San Francisco prior to transferring to the University of San Francisco. While in school, Matson became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. In 1951, Matson's senior year at USF, he led the nation in rushing yardage and touchdowns en route to leading the Dons to an undefeated season. He was selected as an All-American and finished ninth in Heisman Trophy balloting that year.
Despite its 9-0 record, the 1951 San Francisco team was not invited to a bowl game. It was later reported that the Orange, Sugar and Gator Bowls - all in the American South - did not consider inviting any teams that had black players, and the USF refused to play without its two African-American teammates.
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Ordell Braase
Ordell Wayne Braase (born March 13, 1932, in Mitchell, South Dakota) is a retired American football defensive end in the National Football League. He played with the Baltimore Colts throughout his career. While Braase was with the Colts they won the pre-Super Bowl-era NFL Championship two times, in 1958 and 1959. He was a Pro Bowl pick in both 1966 and 1967. In his final season (1968), the Colts went to Super Bowl III, only to lose to the New York Jets.
During his football career in Baltimore, Braase performed in commercials for Dixie Cola, even singing their jingle.
Following his retirement as an active player, Braase was a restaurant owner in Timonium, Maryland, and in the 1970s was an executive with a Baltimore truck body manufacturer. He also teamed with play-by-play announcer Chuck Thompson to provide color commentary for radio broadcasts of Colts games. In the 1990s, he co-hosted a popular program, Braase, Donovan, Davis and Fans on WJZ-TV in Baltimore with fellow Colt teammate Art Donovan. The trio talked more about Art Donovan's fabled stories than contemporary NFL football, but the show held high ratings in its time period.
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Otto Graham
Otto Everett Graham, Jr. (December 6, 1921 – December 17, 2003) was a professional American football and basketball player who played for the Cleveland Browns in both the All-America Football Conference and National Football League, as well as the Rochester Royals in the National Basketball League.
Born in Waukegan, Illinois, USA, Graham grew up with a strong connection to music, with his father serving as Waukegan High School's band director. However, it would be on a variety of athletic fields where Graham's talents would manifest, making him the most famous native of Waukegan since comedian Jack Benny.
Graham graduated from Northwestern University, attending the school on a basketball scholarship. He was an active member of the Alpha Delta Phi social fraternity. In 1944, he was named an All-American in basketball. He was talked into playing football by Northwestern's head football coach, Lynn Waldorf, who saw him throwing a football on campus. By the time he was finished, he had played four years of basketball, three of football, two of baseball and also played the cornet in the Wildcats' school band. Graham's time on the football field would be spent at tailback. He finished third in the 1943 Heisman Trophy voting. Graham left Northwestern with the school record for total offensive yards (2,938), a record which would stand until 1964.
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Paddy Driscoll
John Leo "Paddy" Driscoll (January 11, 1896 – June 29, 1968) was a professional American football quarterback. Driscoll was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and is a member of the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team. In 1974, he was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
At 5' 11" and 160 pounds, he was not big, but he made a big impact on American football during the decade of the 1920s. He was particularly known for his drop kicks and punting. In 1924, he recorded a 55 yard drop-kicked field goal and in 1925 holds a tied NFL record (with Al Bloodgood) of 4 drop-kicked field goals in a single game.
After attending Northwestern University, he played the 1919 season with the Hammond Pros (pre-NFL). From 1920-1925, he led the Chicago Cardinals and was also head coach from 1920 to 1922.
In 1926, prompted by a fear that he would sign with the new AFL then being formed, the Cardinals traded him to the Chicago Bears where he continued to carry his team until he retired after the 1929 season. Later, he was head coach of the Bears for two seasons (1956 and 1957), compiling a record of 14-10-1.
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Pat Summerall
George Allen "Pat" Summerall (born May 10, 1930) is a former American football player and television sportscaster, having worked at CBS, Fox, and ESPN.
Summerall is best known for his work with John Madden on NFL telecasts for CBS and Fox.
At Columbia High School in Lake City, Florida, Summerall played football, tennis, baseball, and basketball.[dead link] Although basketball was his favorite sport, he was recognized as an All-State selection in basketball and football. He was inducted into the FHSAA hall of fame and was later named to the FHSAA's All-Century Team.
Summerall played college football from 1949 to 1951 at the University of Arkansas, where he played defensive end, tight end, and placekicker positions. He graduated from UA in 1953.
Summerall spent ten years as a professional football player in the National Football League, primarily as a placekicker. The Detroit Lions drafted Summerall as a fourth-round draft choice in the 1952 NFL Draft. Summerall played the pre-season with the Lions before breaking his arm, which ended the year for him. After that season, he was traded and went on to play for the Chicago Cardinals from 1953 to 1957 and the New York Giants from 1958 to 1961, during which he was a part of The Greatest Game Ever Played. His best professional year statistically was 1959, when Summerall scored 90 points on 30-for-30 (100%) extra-point kicking and 20-for-29 (69%) field goal kicking.
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Paul Brown
Paul Eugene Brown (September 7, 1908 – August 5, 1991) was a coach in American football and a major figure in the development of the National Football League. A seminal figure in the game's history, Brown is considered the "father of the modern offense", and one of the greatest football coaches of all time, achieving success at every major level—high school, college, and professional—and introducing numerous innovative coaching methods still in use today. He is also credited with founding both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals franchises, with the former named after him and the latter naming their stadium in his honor.
Born in Norwalk, Ohio, Brown's family moved to Walshingham when he was nine. His father, Lester, a dispatcher for the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad, was described as "very meticulous, serious-minded and highly-disciplined," all of which characterized Brown's later approach to coaching. Brown graduated from Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio in 1925, having played varsity quarterback in the wake of Harry Stuhldreher (one of Notre Dame's legendary Four Horsemen).
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Paul Hornung
Paul Vernon Hornung (born December 23, 1935) is a retired Hall of Fame professional football player who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1957-66. He, O.J Simpson,Earl Campbell are the only people to have won the Heisman Trophy, been selected as first overall National Football League draft picks, and been inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.
A versatile player, he was a halfback, quarterback, and placekicker. Hornung was an excellent all-around athlete who also played college basketball.
Hornung was an outstanding athlete at Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget High School in Louisville (now closed), having lettered four years each in football, basketball, and baseball. He was recruited by Bear Bryant at Kentucky, but chose to attend Notre Dame instead.
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Paul Justin
Paul Donald Justin (born May 19, 1968) is a retired National Football League quarterback.
Justin, a graduate and football standout at Arizona State University, played with three different teams in his NFL career: the Indianapolis Colts (1995–1997), the Cincinnati Bengals (1998), and the St. Louis Rams (1999–2001). Prior to his time in the NFL, Justin was the starting quarterback for the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League in 1993 and the Frankfurt Galaxy in 1995.
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Paul Tagliabue
Paul John Tagliabue (born November 24, 1940) is a former Commissioner of the National Football League. He took the position in 1989 and was succeeded by Roger Goodell, who was elected to the position on August 8, 2006. Tagliabue's retirement took effect on September 1, 2006. He had previously served as a lawyer for the NFL. Tagliabue is currently the chair of Georgetown University's board of directors.
Tagliabue was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the third of four sons born to Charles and May Tagliabue. He received an athletic scholarship to play basketball at Georgetown University and was captain of the 1961-1962 team. He graduated in 1962 as president of his senior class, a Rhodes Scholar finalist and a Dean's List graduate.
Tagliabue graduated from New York University School of Law in 1965. He has received honorary degrees from Colgate University and Northeastern University.
From 1969 to 1989, Tagliabue practiced law with the elite Washington, D.C. firm Covington & Burling.
After serving as a lawyer for the NFL, Tagliabue was selected by NFL owners to succeed Pete Rozelle as Commissioner of the NFL in 1989.
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Pete Retzlaff
Palmer Edward "Pete" Retzlaff, nicknamed "Pistol Pete" and "The Baron", (born August 21, 1931 in Ellendale, North Dakota) is a former professional American football player and general manager.
Retzlaff played football at Ellendale High School in Ellendale, North Dakota and starred in track and field and football at South Dakota State College. In 1952, he rushed for 1,016 yards.
He was selected in the 1953 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League but did not make the team. After two years in the army, he was sold to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played at running back, wide receiver, and tight end for eleven seasons. In 1958, despite never having caught a pass in college, he led the NFL with 56 pass receptions. He went to the Pro Bowl five times, and won the Bert Bell Award for NFL player of the year in 1965, when he caught 66 passes including ten touchdowns. He also served as president of the NFL Players Association.
From 1969 to 1972, he served as the Eagles' vice president and general manager. In 1973 and 1974, he worked as a color analyst for NFL coverage on CBS television.
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Pete Rozelle
Alvin Ray "Pete" Rozelle (/rɵˈzɛl/; March 1, 1926 – December 6, 1996) was the commissioner of the National Football League (NFL) from January 1960 to November 1989, when he retired from office. Rozelle is credited with making the NFL into one of the most successful sports leagues in the world.
Rozelle was born in South Gate, California and grew up in neighboring Lynwood, California during the Great Depression. He graduated from Compton High School in 1944, lettering in baseball and basketball. He was drafted into the Navy in 1944 and served 18 months in the Pacific on an oil tanker. Rozelle began his career at the University of San Francisco, working as a student publicist for the school's football team. He had already worked in public relations for the Los Angeles Rams front office and while in the athletic office at USF he marketed the Don's National Invitation Tournament championship basketball season of 1949 into a national media event. He graduated from USF in 1950.
He held a series of public relations jobs in Southern California, marketing the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia for a Los Angeles based company. He joined the Los Angeles Rams as its public relations specialist. By 1957, Rozelle was offered the GM job with the Rams. He turned a disorganized, unprofitable team, lost in the growing LA market, into a business success.
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Peter Boulware
Peter Nicholas Boulware (born December 18, 1974) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for Florida State University, and was recognized as an All-American. A first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 1997 NFL Draft, he played his entire pro career for the Ravens.
Boulware was a Republican candidate for the Florida House of Representatives in the 2008 general election.
Boulware was born in Columbia, South Carolina. He played at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, and then graduated first from Spring Valley High School, and went on to play for Florida State University. He was an all-state pick for Spring Valley High School in 1992. He recorded 132 tackles, 14 sacks, and two blocked punts and was named one of the top 50 athletes in the nation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also named one of the nation's top 100 athletes by the Dallas Morning News.
Boulware accepted an athletic scholarship to attend Florida State University, where he played for coach Bobby Bowden's Florida State Seminoles football team from 1993 to 1996. He redshirted his freshman season in 1993; as a redshirt freshman in 1994, he recorded 37 tackles, five sacks, and five tackles for loss. One of his sacks was recorded against Florida Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel in the 1995 Sugar Bowl.
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Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Indianapolis Colts for 14 seasons from 1998–2011. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and an elder brother of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Manning played college football at the University of Tennessee, leading the Volunteers to the 1997 SEC Championship in his senior season. He was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. From 1998 to 2010, he led the Colts to seven AFC South division championships, two AFC championships, and to a Super Bowl championship (Super Bowl XLI). He has won a record four league most valuable player awards, was the most valuable player of Super Bowl XLI, has been named to eleven Pro Bowls, has eleven 4,000-yard passing seasons (including a record six straight), and is the Indianapolis Colts' all-time leader in passing yards (54,828) and touchdown passes (399). In 2009, he was named the best player in the NFL and Fox Sports along with Sports Illustrated named him the NFL player of the decade of the 2000s.
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Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers (born December 8, 1981) is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was one half of the Manning-Rivers draft trade which sent him to San Diego and the 1st overall pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, to the New York Giants. Rivers played college football at North Carolina State University. Rivers' career passer rating of 95.9 is third-best all-time among NFL quarterbacks with at least 1,500 passing attempts, behind Aaron Rodgers and Steve Young.
After starting Chargers quarterback Drew Brees went to the New Orleans Saints following the 2005 season, Rivers came off the bench to lead the Chargers to a 14-2 record in his first season as a starter. In 2007, he helped the Chargers win their first playoff game since 1994 after beating the Tennessee Titans in the wildcard round of the 2007 playoffs and eventually leading them to the AFC Championship game. He has a career total of 13 fourth quarter comebacks, his most recent being on September 11, 2011, when he led the Chargers to a 24-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
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Ralph Neely
Ralph Eugene Neely (born September 12, 1943 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is a former American football offensive tackle who played 13 seasons and 172 games for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965 to 1977.
He attended Farmington High School (New Mexico), where he was an All-State tackle for two years in football, and a standout center for the basketball team.
Neely was recruited by the University of Oklahoma, where he played college football under coaches Bud Wilkinson and Gomer Jones. He was a 261-pound tackle who played both ways, as a dominant performer on defense and an excellent blocker on offense.
He was named the Big Eight sophomore lineman of the year and was a two-time All-American and an all-conference selection in both 1963 and '64.
He was one of three Sooners stars who missed the 1965 Gator Bowl game against Florida State University. Neely, fullback Jim Grisham and halfback Lance Rentzel signed with professional teams before the game, and were ruled ineligible for the contest, which Florida State University won 36–19 on the strength of four touchdown catches by Fred Biletnikoff.
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Ralph Wilson
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. (born October 17, 1918) is the founder, owner and president of NFL's Buffalo Bills. He was one of the founding owners of the American Football League, the league that the NFL merged with in 1970, and is the last of the original AFL owners still owning his team in its original city. He is the oldest owner in the National Football League, at age 93. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8, 2009.
Wilson grew up in Detroit, Michigan, graduated from the University of Virginia and attended the University of Michigan Law School. At the University of Virginia he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He is a World War II veteran. After the war ended, he took over the successful insurance business of his father and invested in Michigan area mines and factories. He eventually purchased several manufacturing outlets, construction firms, and radio stations, and founded Ralph Wilson Industries.
A minority owner of the Detroit Lions, Wilson got wind of Lamar Hunt's plans for a new league, the American Football League, to challenge the NFL. He tried to put together a team in Miami, but was turned down. His next choice was Buffalo. In September 1959, Wilson sent Hunt a telegram with the words, "Count me in with Buffalo." He named his new team the Bills, after a previous team that had played in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949. On October 28, 1959 the Buffalo Bills officially became the seventh AFL team. Wilson made Professional Football a resounding success in a "small market," signing such stars as Cookie Gilchrist, Jack Kemp, Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson' and Tom Sestak and Hall of Famer Billy Shaw.
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Randall Cunningham
Randall W. Cunningham (born March 27, 1963) is a former American football quarterback.
After playing college football at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he was selected in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he remained through the 1995 season. He announced his retirement from football following the end of that season, taking a job as an analyst for TNT in 1996. The following year, however, he resumed his playing career. He played for the Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999), the Dallas Cowboys (2000), and the Baltimore Ravens (2001). Cunningham then re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and retired for good in 2002.[citation needed] He won the Bert Bell Award in 1990, the height of the 'Ultimate Weapon' stories. He is the younger brother of former college and professional football player Sam Cunningham who played for the New England Patriots.
Cunningham attended Santa Barbara High School in Santa Barbara, California, and was a graduate of the class of 1981. As a senior, he led his team to a League title and the CIF Finals. He then went on to attend the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. He was a 1983 and 1984 College Football All-America Team selection as a punter. In 1984, his junior year, he led the Rebels to an 11-2 season—still the school's only 10-win season ever. Cunningham opted to turn pro after that season, but returned to graduate with a bachelors degree in leisure studies in 2004.
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Ray Guy
William Ray Guy (born December 22, 1949) is a retired American football punter for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. Coming from the University of Southern Mississippi, he was the only pure punter ever to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft when the Oakland Raiders selected him in 1973.
Guy was a key member of three Super Bowl-winning Raiders teams: Super Bowls XI, XV, and XVIII. Arguably, his best performance was in Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins. When the Raiders' offense faltered just outside the field goal range of placekicker Chris Bahr, Guy, known for his power, showed a great deal of finesse by booting a 27-yard punt that pinned the Washington Redskins on their own 12-yard line late in the first half. On the very next play, the Raiders' Jack Squirek intercepted Washington quarterback Joe Theismann and returned it for a touchdown that gave them a 21-3 halftime lead.
Ray Guy was the first and only punter ever to be selected in the first round in the NFL Draft as of 2012. Ray Guy retired in 1986. During his career, Guy:
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Ray Nitschke
Raymond Ernest "Ray" Nitschke (December 29, 1936 – March 8, 1998) was a professional football player who played his entire career as a middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Wearing #66, he played fifteen seasons, from 1958-72.
Nitschke was born on December 29, 1936 in Elmwood Park, Illinois. His father, Robert, and Nitschke's mother, Anna, had two other children, Robert Jr. (age 8) and Richard (age 4). His father was killed in a car accident in 1940. Anna died of a blood clot when Ray was 13. Robert (age 21) and Richard (age 17) decided they would raise Ray on their own.
Ray entered Proviso High School in Maywood shortly before his mother's death. The loss of both parents enraged Nitschke, and the lack of a parental disciplinarian to quell his rage, caused him to engage in fights with other kids in the neighborhood. His freshman year at Proviso, Ray played fullback on one of the school's three football teams. He was a poor student at school and his grades eventually caught up with him as he was declared academically ineligible to play sports his sophomore year. This embarrassment he would lament for the rest of his life.
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Raymond Berry
Raymond Emmett Berry (born February 27, 1933) is a former football wide receiver. He played for the Baltimore Colts during their two NFL championship wins. He later had a career in coaching, highlighted by his trip to Super Bowl XX as head coach of the New England Patriots. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Raymond Berry enlisted as a private in the Maryland Army National Guard on May 17, 1957. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 684th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion (90 mm Gun), located near Baltimore. He subsequently served in Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 684th Missile Battalion (Nike); Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 224th Field Artillery Group; Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 691st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group; and Company B, 16th Special Forces Group, all components of the Maryland National Guard.[citation needed] He was discharged from the National Guard in March 1963, at the end of his second enlistment, with the rank of Specialist Four.
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Reggie White
Reginald Howard "Reggie" White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American college and professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for fifteen seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and was recognized as an All-American. After initially playing two professional seasons for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL), he was selected in the first round of the 1985 Supplemental Draft, and then played for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 13-time Pro Bowl and 12-time All-Pro selection holds 2nd place all-time amongst career sack leaders with 198.5 (behind Bruce Smith's 200 career sacks) and was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. During his professional career, he was also known for his Christian ministry as an ordained Evangelical minister, leading to his nickname, "The Minister of Defense." White is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Rich Gannon
Richard Joseph Gannon (born December 20, 1965) is a former football quarterback, who achieved most of his success late in his career with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League. He was the quarterback of the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Gannon attended Saint Joseph's Preparatory School and won three varsity letters each in football and crew, and twice in basketball. Gannon exploded in his senior season, winning first team All-City as a punter and quarterback. He threw for 1,567 yards his senior season.
Gannon attended the University of Delaware, was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and played under Tubby Raymond and ran Raymond's Wing-T offense. When he led the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003, he was the second of three players from the University of Delaware to go to the Super Bowl.
He was selected in the 4th round (98th overall) of the 1987 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, who envisioned converting him to a defensive back.[citation needed] Gannon balked at the idea, and he was quickly traded to the Minnesota Vikings. After two years of playing sparingly, in 1990 Gannon became the Vikings' starting quarterback, displacing incumbent Wade Wilson. Gannon was passed over for Sean Salisbury at the start of the postseason, after having led the team to an 11-5 record.
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Rick Neuheisel
Richard Gerald "Rick" Neuheisel, Jr. ( /ˈnuːhaɪzəl/; German: [ˈnɔʏhaɪzəl]; born February 7, 1961), is a TV football analyst, former American football coach, former player, and attorney. He was most recently the head coach at UCLA, his alma mater, from 2008 to 2011. Prior to UCLA, Neuheisel was the head coach at Colorado from 1995 to 1998 and Washington from 1999 to 2002. From 2005 to 2007, he was an assistant coach with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, as quarterbacks coach for two seasons and offensive coordinator for one.
Before coaching, Neuheisel played quarterback at UCLA from 1980 to 1983, then spent two seasons with the San Antonio Gunslingers of the United States Football League before splitting the 1987 NFL season between the San Diego Chargers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Neuheisel was born in Madison, Wisconsin, one of four children and the only son of Dick and Jane (Jackson) Neuheisel, with sisters Nancy, Katie, and Deborah. Dick is an attorney and Rick grew up in Tempe, Arizona, and graduated from McClintock High School in 1979. He lettered in three sports (football, basketball, baseball) and was named its outstanding athlete during his senior year.
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Rick Venturi
Rick Venturi (born February 23, 1946) is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Northwestern University and as longtime National Football League assistant coach known for his defense. As the head coach at Northwestern from 1978 to 1980, Venturi's record was 1–31–1. He coached the beginning segment the Northwestern Wildcats' NCAA Division I record 34-game losing streak. Venturi has served as the defensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and St. Louis Rams. Venturi also served as an interim head coach, in 1991 with the Colts and 1996 with the Saints. As a head coach in the NFL, his career record stands at 2–17.
Venturi played quarterback at Rockford Auburn High School in Illinois, and at Northwestern. While at Northwestern he joined the Delta Upsilon fraternity. His father, Joe Venturi, was a member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Joe coached at Pekin High School in Illinois. His brother, John is also a member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. John coached at Washington High School where he won the 1985 Class 4A State Championship. John's 1983 Washington team was the 4A Runner-Up.
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Rick Volk
Richard Robert Volk (born March 15, 1945) is a former American football player.
Volk played college football for the University of Michigan from 1964 to 1966 and was a member of the 1964 team that won the Big Ten Conference championship and defeated Oregon State in the 1965 Rose Bowl. He played as a defensive back for Michigan's defensive unit and as a halfback and quarterback for the offensive unit. Volk was also selected by the Sporting News as a first-team All-American in 1967. In 1989, Volk was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor; Volk and Ron Johnson were the first two football players from the 1960s to be so honored.
Volk went on to a successful 12-year career as a safety in the National Football League. He played nine years with the Baltimore Colts from 1967 to 1975. He was a member of the Colts' teams that lost Super Bowl III to the New York Jets and won Super Bowl V against the Dallas Cowboys. Volk was selected as an NFL All-Pro four times (1968–1971) and played in three Pro Bowls (1967, 1969, 1971). After being released by the Colts in April 1976, Volk concluded his playing career with the New York Giants in 1976 and the Miami Dolphins from 1977 to 1978. In 1977, Volk was selected by Baltimore fans as a starter for the Colts' 25th anniversary team.
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Robert Irsay
Robert Irsay (March 5, 1923–January 14, 1997), was an American professional football team owner. He owned the National Football League's Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts franchise, and the former Los Angeles Rams, albeit briefly.
In 1972 the Chicago-born Irsay purchased the Rams franchise for a reported $19 million with the intent to trade it to Carroll Rosenbloom for his Baltimore Colts franchise. The person credited with brokering the franchise swap was Jacksonville, Florida, attorney Hugh Culverhouse, who bought the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the financially-ailing Thomas McCloskey about two years earlier.
In a controversial decision Irsay moved the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis, Indiana, in the early morning hours of March 28, 1984, to become the Indianapolis Colts. Though this brought him scorn from Baltimore Colts fans for decades, many of these feelings began to cool once Baltimore gained a new franchise, the Baltimore Ravens, especially after their Superbowl win in 2000. After Irsay's death in Indianapolis on January 14, 1997, the Colts were inherited by his son, Jim, who serves as CEO. Bill Polian handled the day-to-day operations of the team as vice-chairman until his dismissal after the 2011 season.
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Rod Dowhower
Rodney Douglas Dowhower (born April 15, 1943) is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Stanford University in 1979 and at Vanderbilt University from 1995 to 1996, compiling a career college football record of 9–23–1. Dowhower was also the coach of the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts in 1985 and 1986, where he tallied a record of 5–24. He was fired after losing 13 straight games to begin the 1986 season.
Dowhower attended San Diego State University where he played football. He served as an assistant coach at San Diego State, the University of California, Los Angeles, and Boise State University. Dowhower was also an assistant coach for a number of NFL teams: the St. Louis Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins, and Philadelphia Eagles.
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Rod Woodson
Roderick Kevin "Rod" Woodson (born March 10, 1965) is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League for seventeen seasons. He had a 10-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was a key member of the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV championship season. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, wearing the jersey number 26 throughout his career. He holds the NFL records for career interception return yardage (1,483) and interception returns for touchdowns (12), and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. His 71 career interceptions is the third-most in NFL history. He was an inductee of the Class of 2009 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 8, 2009.
From his retirement in 2003 to February 2011, Woodson worked as an analyst for the NFL Network on NFL Total Access and Thursday Night Football, and as a color-commentator for the Big Ten Network. He spent the 2011 season as the Raiders' cornerbacks coach.
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Roger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach (born February 5, 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and legendary Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979. Staubach was instrumental in developing the Cowboys into becoming one of the best teams of the 1970s and led the team to nine of the Cowboys' record-setting twenty consecutive winning seasons. Staubach led the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory and as a result he was named MVP in Super Bowl VI. Staubach was described by legendary Cowboys head coach Tom Landry as "possibly the best combination of a passer, an athlete and a leader to ever play in the NFL."
Staubach first achieved national attention when he was named the starting quarterback of the Navy football team in 1962. He was hailed by Navy coach Wayne Hardin as "the greatest quarterback Navy ever had." He helmed the team for three seasons, leading the Midshipmen to two victories in the Army–Navy Game and an appearance in the 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic. In addition to earning the Heisman trophy by the seventh largest point margin, Staubach was elected to the College Hall of Fame in 1981.
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Roman Gabriel
Roman Ildonzo Gabriel, Jr. (born August 5, 1940 in Wilmington, North Carolina) is a former American football player. The son of a Filipino immigrant, he was the first Asian-American to start as an NFL quarterback and is considered by many to have been one of the best players at that position during the late 1960s and early 70s.
Gabriel attended and played high school football at New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. He went on to star for the North Carolina State football team, and played professionally for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles.
A two-time All-American and two-time ACC Player of the Year (1960–61), Gabriel starred at quarterback for North Carolina State University in the early 1960s and finished his career holding virtually every Wolfpack passing record. An academic All-American, Gabriel saw his jersey retired and presented to him by North Carolina governor Terry Sanford on Jan. 20, 1962, at half-time of an NC State-Maryland basketball game in Reynolds Coliseum. As captain of his team, Gabriel set 22 school and nine conference football records. He threw for 2,961 yards and 19 touchdowns.
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Ron Jaworski
Ronald Vincent "Ron" Jaworski (born March 23, 1951, in Lackawanna, New York) is a former American football quarterback and currently an NFL analyst on ESPN. He is also CEO of Ron Jaworski Golf Management, Inc., based out of Blackwood, New Jersey, and manages golf courses in southern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He also owns part interest in the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. Jaworski was nicknamed "Jaws" by Philadelphia 76ers player (and now coach) Doug Collins prior to the 1981 Super Bowl.
Jaworski was raised in the steel town of Lackawanna, New York. A three-sport star in high school, Jaworski turned down a professional baseball offer from the St Louis Cardinals to attend college at Youngstown State. Nicknamed "The Polish Rifle", or the "Polish Cannon", Jaworski was able to showcase his skills as a quarterback for the pass-oriented offense of the Penguins, earning a selection in the Senior Bowl.
Drafted in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, Jaworski was originally an overlooked 3rd string quarterback. Thanks to injuries to John Hadl and James Harris, Jaworski saw considerable playing time in 1975, leading the Rams to a playoff win. In 1976, he lost the starting quarterback job to Pat Haden.
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Ron Meyer
Ron Meyer (born February 17, 1941) is a former college and professional football coach. He is best known for being the head coach of Southern Methodist University, the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.
Meyer's head coaching career began at UNLV, where he coached from 1971 to 1975. In 1974, he had an undefeated season at UNLV at 11–0; leading the Rebels to the NCAA Division II playoffs. In 1976, Meyer was the head coach of Southern Methodist University where he coached until 1981. This tenure included winning the Southwest Conference championship in 1981 with running backs Eric Dickerson and Craig James. While at SMU, Meyer was the losing coach in the famous "Miracle Bowl" in the 1980 Holiday Bowl, where SMU held a 45–25 lead against BYU with less than four minutes to play in the fourth quarter, only to lose 46–45 thanks to three touchdown passes from Jim McMahon.
Meyer moved to the pros in 1982, where he would coach the New England Patriots for 3 seasons. He was named the AFC Coach of the Year in his first season where he led the New England Patriots to the playoffs in the strike-shortened 1982 NFL season after the team had finished with the league's worst record the prior season. He is perhaps best remembered by New England fans for coaching during the infamous Snowplow Game against the Miami Dolphins on December 12, 1982. Under heavy snow at Foxboro Stadium with 4:45 remaining in the game, the Patriots lined up for a go-ahead field goal. Meyer called for a stadium worker named Mark Henderson (who was on a prison work release) to drive his snowplow on the field in order to clear an area for holder Matt Cavanaugh to spot the ball and to give kicker John Smith better footing. The Patriots went on to win the game, 3–0, on their way to their first playoff appearance since the 1979 season.
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Ron Mix
Ronald Jack Mix (born on March 10, 1938 in Los Angeles, California) is a retired American football player. The offensive tackle is a member of the American Football League (AFL) All-Time Team and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mix attended the University of Southern California, and upon graduation played right tackle and guard for the AFL's Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers (1960–1969) and the NFL Oakland Raiders (1971& 1972; taxi squad during 1972).
A graduate of the University of Southern California, where he was an All American in 1959, Mix was an original Los Angeles Charger in 1960. Mix was also a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity. He was elected the National Jewish College Athlete of the Year.
Because he had a Juris Doctor in Law degree, Mix was nicknamed "The Intellectual Assassin" for his physical play. Mix was called for a mere two holding penalties in ten years.
Mix, who was listed at 6' 5" and 270 pounds, was an early proponent of weightlifting to enhance athletic power. He was years ahead of the curve that soon at lineman and other football players taking up that practice to become better athletes. His power lifts included a military press above his head of 300 pounds, a clean and jerk above his head at 325 pounds, and a bench press of 425 pounds, all of the lifts considered to be exceptionally strong for that era of play.
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Rosey Brown
Roosevelt "Rosey" Brown, Jr. (October 20, 1932 – June 9, 2004) was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the New York Giants from 1953 to 1965.
Brown was drafted by the Giants out of Morgan State University in the 1953 NFL Draft after being noticed by the Giants in the Pittsburgh Courier, an African-American newspaper that named him to their 1952 Black All-American team. On the offensive line, Brown pass blocked for quarterbacks Charlie Conerly and Y. A. Tittle and run blocked for backs like Alex Webster and Frank Gifford. Despite his 6'3", 255-pound frame, Brown was very quick on his feet which was very unusual for his era. He is considered one of the greatest "sleeper picks" in NFL history as he was drafted in 27th round of the NFL Draft.
Brown was named to the Pro Bowl a total of nine times and helped the Giants win the NFL Championship in 1956.
Following the 1965 season, Brown retired, suffering from chronic phlebitis. He became the Giants' assistant offensive line coach in 1966 and was promoted to offensive line coach in 1969. He remained with the Giants organization in the scouting department for many years.
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Roy Firestone
Roy Firestone (born December 8, 1953 in Miami Beach, Florida) is an American sports commentator and journalist. Firestone is a graduate of Miami Beach High School and the University of Miami.
Firestone began his career and as a sports anchor and reporter in Miami, working briefly at WTVJ, before moving to Los Angeles as a sports anchor for KCBS-TV from 1977–85. From 1980-90, he was the host of ESPN's interview program SportsLook, later renamed Up Close. He also served as a color commentator for the network's first season of Sunday Night Football telecasts in 1987. Currently, he is the host of HDNet's Face to Face with Roy Firestone and AOL's Time Out with Roy Firestone.
He appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, Larry King Live, Super Dave Osborne and Nightline. He has also performed for numerous corporate clients including Anheuser Busch, Chevron, Nike, Whirlpool and Toyota.
Firestone also provided the voice of the classic cartoon character Egghead in the 1988 Warner Bros. compilation film Daffy Duck's Quackbusters, and appeared in the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire. He starred in a Married with Children episode and presented the Al Bundy Sport Spectacular. Firestone also made an appearance as himself in a 1997 episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, and the "Bart Star" episode of The Simpsons.
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Roy Hilton
Roy Lee Hilton (born March 23, 1943 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi) was an American football defensive end in the National Football League from 1965 through 1975. During that span he appeared in Super Bowl III and Super Bowl V for the Baltimore Colts. He played college football at Jackson State University.
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Roy Jefferson
Roy Lee Jefferson (born November 9, 1943 in Texarkana, Arkansas) is a former American football wide receiver who played twelve seasons in the National Football League. During 162 regular season games he had 451 receptions for 7,539 yards and 52 touchdowns.
Drafted out of the University of Utah, where he had been named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in his senior year, Jefferson spent his first five NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1965–1969). In 1968, Jefferson led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,074. His 58 receptions and 11 touchdowns were both 2nd highest in the NFL that season. He was named 1st Team All-Pro by Associated Press (AP), the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), New York Daily News and UPI in 1969. Jefferson finished that season with 67 receptions for 1,079 yards and nine touchdowns and became the first Steelers receiver to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Despite being the Steelers best offensive player, conflicts with head coach Chuck Noll would result in Jefferson being traded to the Baltimore Colts before the 1970 season.
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Ryan Leaf
Ryan David Leaf (born May 15, 1976) is a former American football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. He played for the San Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys between 1998 and 2001, and also spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks.
Leaf had a successful college career at Washington State University, where he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after his junior year. He was selected as the second overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, but his career was short and interrupted by injuries. An episode of NFL Top 10 ranked him as the No. 1 "draft bust" in NFL history.
After having led his high school, Charles M. Russell High School, to the 1992 Montana state title, Leaf played college football at Washington State University. He played in 32 games for the Cougars, starting 24 of them. In his junior year, he averaged 330.6 yards passing per game and threw for a then Pac-10 conference record 33 touchdowns. He also helped the Cougars defeat the Washington Huskies 41-35 for the first time in Husky Stadium since 1985. Leaf ended the school's 67-year Rose Bowl drought and helped bring the Cougars their first Pac-10 championship in school history. Despite a strong early showing by Leaf in the Rose Bowl, the Cougars were defeated 21-16 by the eventual national champion Michigan Wolverines. In 2011, Leaf published a memoir of this season, entitled 596 Switch.[citation needed]
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Sam Havrilak
Samuel Charles Havrilak (born December 13, 1947 in Monessen, Pennsylvania) is a former American football running back who played in the NFL from 1969 to 1974. He attended Monessen High School near Pittsburgh. Havrilak earned a Super Bowl ring in January 1971 at Super Bowl V. Havrilak owns the distinction of being the first player in NFL history to complete a pass, catch a pass and take a handoff in a Super Bowl[citation needed].
Sam Havrilak played college football at Bucknell University where he was named to the All-Pennsylvania Team and MVP of the Middle Atlantic Conference as a senior. Havrilak holds the Bucknell University record for total offense with 397 yards against Colgate in 1968. He was elected to the Bucknell Hall of Fame, Class of 1981.
His professional career was spent with both the Baltimore Colts, where he was drafted in the 8th round and played for 5 years. He was traded to the New Orleans Saints in 1974, where he finished his career.
Sam Havrilak will be inducted into the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame in November of 2012.
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Sammy Baugh
Samuel Adrian "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh (March 17, 1914 – December 17, 2008) was an American football player and coach. He played college football for the Horned Frogs at Texas Christian University, where he was a two-time All-American. He then played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1937 to 1952. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the 17-member charter class of 1963.
Baugh was born on a farm near Temple, Texas, the second son of James, a worker on the Santa Fe Railroad, and Lucy Baugh. His parents later divorced and his mother raised the three children. When he was 16, the family then moved to Sweetwater, Texas, and he attended Sweetwater High School. As the quarterback of his high school football team (Sweetwater Mustangs), he would practice for hours throwing a football through a swinging automobile tire, often on the run. But apparently, Baugh would practice punting more than throwing.
Baugh, however, really wanted to become a professional baseball player and almost received a scholarship to play at Washington State University. About a month before he started at Washington State, however, Baugh hurt his knee while sliding into second base during a game, and the scholarship fell through.
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Sean Salisbury
Richard Sean Salisbury (born March 9, 1963) is an American football analyst, former NFL and CFL quarterback, and actor.
Salisbury attended Orange Glen High School in Escondido, California. During Sean's senior year at Orange Glen High School, he was a highly recruited quarterback, choosing USC over UCLA, BYU, Stanford, Notre Dame, Cal, Arizona, and Arizona State.
Salisbury averaged 26.5 points per game his senior year and was a high school All-American basketball player. UCLA and USC both offered Salisbury basketball scholarships. Sean has three children, Dylan, Dodge, and Shea.
Sean's younger brother is Brett Salisbury
During his ten-year career, Salisbury was a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers and Houston Oilers as well as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. In 1988, Salisbury led the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a Grey Cup championship over Matt Dunigan and the BC Lions.
After getting his start on the Comedy Central show BattleBots, Salisbury went on to become an NFL analyst on ESPN, appearing on SportsCenter and NFL Live. He was well known for his dislike of fellow analyst John Clayton. Clayton once famously got back at Salisbury, when, during an argument, Salisbury attempted to prove his point by telling Clayton, "You never played in the NFL." Clayton, noting that Salisbury spent most of his career as a backup quarterback on the sidelines (he received about a year's worth of NFL snaps in an eight-year career), fired back, "Neither did you!"
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Shaun Alexander
Shaun Edward Alexander (born August 30, 1977) is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.
Alexander was born and raised in Florence, Kentucky. His father, Curtis Alexander Jr., works for Morton Salt and his mother Carol works in the truancy department of the Boone County School District. He has an older brother Durran, and four older half-sisters and three older half-brothers. His parents divorced when he was 11, and he and Durran were raised by their mother in a two-bedroom apartment in a government housing project.
He attended Florence Elementary School. In 1991, he entered Boone County High School. As a freshman, he played football for the junior varsity team and was voted Class President—as he was every year in high school. As well as football, Alexander excelled in basketball and baseball.
In his sophomore season, he made the varsity team as the second-string running back. By mid-season, he was the team's featured running back as he rushed for 1,095 yards and fourteen touchdowns. During his junior season in 1994, Alexander ran for 2,396 yards and 42 touchdowns as Boone County made it to the state semifinals. In a game versus Campbell County, Alexander rushed for seven touchdowns. He was listed in "Faces in the Crowd" section of Sports Illustrated in January 1994.
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Sherman Plunkett
Sherman Eugene Plunkett (April 17, 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – November 18, 1989) was an American football offensive tackle who played in the National Football League from (1958–1960) and in the American Football League from (1961–1967), for the San Diego Chargers and the New York Jets. He was an American Football League All-Star in 1964 and 1966. In his later playing years, he was most notable for his massive size. While the typical lineman in the 1960s weighed in at around 250-260 lb, Plunkett was almost 100 lb (45 kg). heavier.
He played college football at Maryland State College (now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore).
According to Joe Namath, it was Plunkett who coined the star New York Jets quarterback's nickname Broadway Joe, following Namath's appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.
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Sid Luckman
Sidney Luckman, known as Sid Luckman, (November 21, 1916 – July 5, 1998) was an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1939 to 1950. During his 12 seasons with the Bears he led them to four NFL championships.
Luckman was the first modern T-formation quarterback and is considered the greatest long range passer of his time. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1943, and Pulitzer prize winning sports writer Ira Berkow wrote that Luckman was "the first great T-formation quarterback". Following his retirement from playing, Luckman continued his association with football by tutoring college coaches, focusing on the passing aspect of the game.
Luckman was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965, and in 1988 he was declared a joint winner of the Walter Camp Distinguished American Award.
Luckman was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish immigrants from Germany. His father sparked his interest in American football at age eight, by giving him a football to play with. He and his parents lived in a residence near Prospect Park and it was here as a youngster that Sid first started throwing the football around.
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Sonny Jurgensen
Christian Adolph "Sonny" Jurgensen III (born August 23, 1934) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Jurgensen was born in Wilmington, North Carolina. He became active in sports as early as elementary school, when he led his school to the city grammar school titles in baseball and basketball. He later captured the boys tennis championship of Wilmington and pitched for his local Civitan club, who won the city baseball title.
Jurgensen attended and played high school football at New Hanover High School. He played a number of positions for the team and as a junior was a backup quarterback on the state championship team. After a senior year where he scored three touchdowns and kicked nine extra points, he was chosen to start at quarterback for the North Carolina team in the annual North Carolina vs. South Carolina Shrine Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Stan Humphries
William Stanley "Stan" Humphries (born April 14, 1965) is a former professional American football quarterback. He played for the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He played college football at Northeast Louisiana (now named the University of Louisiana at Monroe). He was selected by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 1988 NFL Draft.
At Northeast Louisiana University (now Louisiana–Monroe), Humphries was quarterback on a team that won the I-AA National Championship in 1987. In two seasons, Humphries passed for 4,395 yards and 29 touchdowns. He still holds the record for 300-yard passing games with eight.
Humphries was selected by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He made his first pro start in 1990 in Phoenix against the Cardinals with regular starter Mark Rypien sidelined with an injury. Humphries went on to pass for 1,015 yards and three touchdowns in seven games in 1990. He was traded to the San Diego Chargers before the start of the 1992 season following a preseason injury to starting Chargers QB John Friesz. The two teams ran the same offense, allowing Humphries to quickly make an impact. He passed for 3,356 yards, which ranked fifth in the league in 1992, leading the Chargers, who were 4-12 in 1991 and stumbled out to an 0-4 start in 1992, to finish with an 11-5 record, winning the AFC West and ending the Chargers' decade-long playoff drought. To this day, the 1992 San Diego Chargers are the only NFL team to make the playoffs after an 0-4 start.
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Steve Largent
Steven Michael "Steve" Largent (born September 28, 1954) is a retired American football player, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a former U.S. Congressman, having served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma from 1994 until 2002. He was defeated in his run for Governor of Oklahoma in 2002 in a three-way race in which he had been considered the frontrunner.
Despite an All-American career at the University of Tulsa, Largent was not selected until the fourth round of the 1976 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers (117th pick). After four preseason games, he was slated to be cut, but was instead traded to the expansion Seattle Seahawks for a 1977 eighth-round pick.
Largent spent thirteen years with the Seahawks, and, while not particularly fast, was extremely sure-handed. He was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl seven times, and was the first Seahawk to earn that honor. In 1982, Largent, along with teammate Jim Zorn, ended his participation in the NFL strike, after the third and final week of the strike, citing religious principles, specifically based on Matthew 5:36–37, stating that "your word is your bond" and that all contracts shall be honored as with God.
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Steve Tensi
Stephen Michael "Steve" Tensi (born December 8, 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a former professional American football quarterback in the American Football League and the National Football League. He played for the San Diego Chargers (1965–1966) and the Denver Broncos (1967–1970).
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Steve Van Buren
Stephen W. Van Buren (born December 28, 1920) is a former professional American football halfback who played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League from 1944–1951, and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Van Buren was born in La Ceiba, Honduras but, after he was orphaned as a boy, he was sent to live with relatives in New Orleans. From Easton High School in New Orleans, he received an athletic scholarship to Louisiana State University, where he led the nation in points (110) and touchdowns (16) as a senior.
A first-round draft pick in the 1944 NFL Draft, Van Buren ran for 444 yards in nine games during his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. He also led the league in returning punts as a rookie. The following season, Van Buren led the NFL in rushing for the first time. He would win three additional rushing crowns in 1947, 1948 and 1949, becoming the first running back in NFL history to achieve three consecutive rushing titles. Jim Brown (1957–1961, 1963–1965) twice, Earl Campbell (1978–1980), and Emmitt Smith (1991–1993) have since managed that feat. All four are in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.
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Ted Hendricks
Theodore (Ted) Paul Hendricks (born November 1, 1947) is a former American football linebacker who logged 15 seasons for the Baltimore Colts (1969–73), the Green Bay Packers (1974) and the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders (1975–83) in the National Football League. In 2007 he was named to the Florida High School Association All-Century Team which selected the Top 33 players in the 100 year history of high school football in the state of Florida's history. He was nicknamed "The Mad Stork" for his quirky personality and his tall, thin physique.
Hendricks played his college football at the University of Miami. He played stand-up defensive end for the University of Miami during the 1966 through 1968 seasons. The 6’7”, 220 pound Hendricks was a highly regarded defensive player in his day. He was a two-time All-American (1967 and 1968) and finished fifth in the 1968 Heisman Trophy voting. He was also a Second-team All-America selection in 1966.
Born to his Guatemalan mother in Guatemala City, Guatemala where his father was employed, Hendricks was raised throughout his early life in Miami Springs, Florida. He attended neighboring Hialeah High school because the Miami Springs Senior High School was not yet constructed. At Hialeah High he was a standout player for the T-breds. After high school graduation he attended the University of Miami where he was a physics major at UM and was well known for relaxing by doing math problems[citation needed].
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Ted Marchibroda
Theodore "Ted" Joseph Marchibroda (born March 15, 1931) is a former American football quarterback and head coach in the National Football League.
Marchibroda played college football at Saint Bonaventure University and the University of Detroit, where he excelled as a quarterback. He was drafted in 1953 by his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers. After one year, he left the Steelers to serve in the army. He finished his career with the Chicago Cardinals.
He began his coaching career as an assistant for the Los Angeles Rams. He then served as offensive coordinator under George Allen for the Washington Redskins. He got his first head coaching job for the Baltimore Colts in 1975. In his first year there he turned the colts into an instant playoff contender as they won the AFC East title. The Colts would win the AFC East title the next 2 seasons led by 1976 NFL MVP Bert Jones and sensational running back Lydell Mitchell, but in those 3 playoff seasons the Colts would lose in the AFC Divisional Playoffs including the heartbreaking 37-31 loss to the Oakland Raiders in the 1977 postseason. He stayed as coach until 1979, and again he served as coach for the Indianapolis Colts from 1992 to 1995. He also coached the Baltimore Ravens from 1996 to 1998, making him the only man to serve as head coach for both Baltimore NFL teams. He compiled a career record of 87–98–1, with an 2–4 record in the playoffs. He also was the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills during the Jim Kelly years from 1989-1991.
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Terrell Davis
Terrell Lamar Davis (born October 28, 1972) is a former American football running back who played for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League from 1995 to 2001. Davis was drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round (196th pick overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft. Davis is the Denver Broncos all-time leading rusher, with 7,607 rushing yards. As a player, he was given the nickname "T. D." by players, fans and the media; this denoted both the initials of his first and last name as well as being an abbreviation for touchdown.
Born to nurse Kateree Davis who was the mother of eight children. In his senior year at Lincoln High School, the coaches gave him a chance at fullback, in a three back formation. He was given playing time in other positions, including kicker, and helped lead his team to a 12-2 record. Davis set the Lincoln Prep record in the discus throw as a member of the track team. After graduation, Davis went on to play football at Long Beach State University. His brother Reggie Webb was a tailback there before him, and he persuaded the school to grant Davis a scholarship.
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Terry Bradshaw
Terry Paxton Bradshaw (born September 2, 1948) is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently a TV analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday. He played 14 seasons with Pittsburgh, won four Super Bowl titles in a six-year period (1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979), becoming the first quarterback to win three and four Super Bowls, and led the Steelers to eight AFC Central championships. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, his first year of eligibility.
A tough competitor, Bradshaw had a powerful – albeit at times erratic – arm and called his own plays throughout his football career. His physical skills and on-the-field leadership played a major role in Pittsburgh Steelers history. During his career, he passed for more than 300 yards in a game only seven times, but three of those performances came in the post-season, and two of those in Super Bowls. In four career Super Bowl appearances he passed for 932 yards and 9 touchdowns, both Super Bowl records at the time of his retirement. In 19 postseason games he completed 261 passes for 3,833 yards.
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Tex Schramm
Texas Earnest "Tex" Schramm, Jr. (June 2, 1920 - July 15, 2003) was the original president and general manager of the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys franchise. Schramm became the head of the Cowboys when the former expansion team started operations in 1960.
Despite his name, Schramm was not born in Texas, but in San Gabriel, California. Texas was his father's name and where his parents met. Schramm attended Alhambra High School and went to the University of Texas, graduating in 1947 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. At UT he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, as was his father. Schramm interrupted his education to serve as an officer in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
Before joining the Cowboys, Schramm was part of the Los Angeles Rams from 1947 to 1956. During his tenure, he hired Pete Rozelle as the Rams' public relations director; Rozelle later became one of the most important commissioners in the history of the NFL. They remained close friends after Rozelle became NFL commissioner and Schramm became general manager of the Cowboys (each holding their position for 29 years).
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Thurman Thomas
Thurman Lee Thomas (born May 16, 1966) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back who spent most of his National Football League (NFL) career with the Buffalo Bills. Thomas was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Thomas was born in Houston, Texas. He grew up playing football on the Missouri City Junior High School (now Missouri City Middle School) and Willowridge High School.
Thomas attended college at Oklahoma State University where he was a teammate of running back Barry Sanders. At Oklahoma State, Thomas had 897 rushes for 4,595 yards, 43 touchdowns, 5,146 total yards, and 21 100-yard rushing games. He was also a Heisman Trophy candidate in his senior year, finishing seventh in voting. He was a first team selection on the College Football All-America Team in 1985 and 1987.
In the 1987 Sun Bowl, Thomas ran for 157 yards and four touchdowns in the 35-33 victory over West Virginia, keeping Barry Sanders on the sidelines for the majority of the game. Thomas left OSU as the school's all-time leading rusher and his number 34 is one of only three jerseys retired at Oklahoma State.
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Tobin Rote
Tobin Cornelius Rote (January 18, 1928 – June 27, 2000) was an American college and Professional Football player who played quarterback for the NFL's Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, and the American Football League's San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos.
Rote attended Harlandale High School in San Antonio, Texas, graduating in 1946. He was named "Most Athletic Boy" by his classmates.
Rote attended Rice University from 1946–49, quarterbacking the Owls under the leadership of head coach Jess Neely. As a senior in 1949, Rote led the Owls to a 10–1 season, capped by a 27–13 win over North Carolina in the Cotton Bowl. During the fourth game of the season against rival Southern Methodist that featured cousin Kyle Rote, he led the Owls back from a 14–0 deficit to a 41–27 win. The next week saw Rote lead a comeback against Texas, turning a 9–0 halftime deficit into a 17–15 win. With a flawless conference record, the Owls were named outright Southwest Conference champions for the third time.
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Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. (born August 3, 1977) is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
In Brady's ten seasons as a starter, the Patriots have earned trips to the Super Bowl in half of them (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLII, and XLVI), winning three of them (XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX). He has also won two Super Bowl MVP awards (XXXVI and XXXVIII), has been selected to seven Pro Bowls (and invited to eight, although he declined the 2006 invitation), and holds the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a single regular season. His career postseason record is 16–5. He also helped set the record for the longest consecutive win streak in NFL history with 21 straight wins over two seasons (2003–04), and in 2007 he led the Patriots to the first undefeated regular season since the institution of the 16-game schedule. Brady has the fourth-highest career passer rating of all time (96.4) among quarterbacks with at least 1,500 career passing attempts.
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Tom Flick
Thomas Lyle Flick (born August 30, 1958 in Patuxent River, Maryland) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League who was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 4th round of the 1981 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 190 lbs. quarterback from the University of Washington, Flick played in seven NFL seasons from 1981-1987 mostly as a backup. He played college football at the University of Washington. He stayed with Cleveland Browns teammate George Lilja in the spring of 1985 when both guys were playing in Cleveland according to The 1985 Cleveland Browns media guide.
Flick is in the long line of quarterbacks to come of the University of Washington. He was preceded by Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon. Other QBs to follow him were Steve Pelluer, Hugh Millen, Billy Joe Hobert, Mark Brunell, Damon and Brock Huard. He was coached in his 4 years by Don James. He was the Washington QB in the 23-6 loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the 1981 Rose Bowl. He spent his career playing with the Redskins, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers and the New York Jets.
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Tom Flores
Thomas R. "Tom" Flores (born March 21, 1937) is a retired American football quarterback and coach. Flores and Mike Ditka are the only two people in the National Football League history to win a Championship (1 AFL Championship, Super Bowl XI as an Assistant Coach and Super Bowls XV and XVIII) as a player, as an assistant coach, and as a head coach. Flores was also the first Hispanic starting quarterback and the first minority head coach in professional football history to win a Super Bowl. Flores is currently a radio announcer.
Flores played quarterback for two seasons at Fresno City College beginning in 1955. He was active off the field as well serving on the Student Council as well as President of the Associated Men's Students. He received an academic scholarship to study at the College (now University) of the Pacific. Flores graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1958, but was unable to find a job in professional football. He was cut by the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL in 1958, and then by the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) in 1959. In 1960 Flores finally landed a position as a quarterback with the American Football League's Oakland Raiders, who began play in 1960 as a charter member of the league. He was named the Raiders' starting quarterback early in the 1960 season, becoming the first Hispanic starting quarterback in professional football history.
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Tom Goode
Thomas Guinne Goode (born December 1, 1938 in West Point, Mississippi) is a retired American football offensive lineman who played professionally for nine years from 1962 to 1970. He spent his first eight campaigns in the American Football League (AFL) with the Houston Oilers (1962–1965) and Miami Dolphins (1966–1969). Concluding his gridiron career with the Baltimore Colts in 1970, he was the long snapper for Jim O'Brien's game-winning field goal in Super Bowl V.
He began his professional career with the American Football League's Houston Oilers in 1962, playing in the longest professional football game, up to that time, the 1962 AFL Championship Game against the Dallas Texans. Goode was an AFL All-Star in 1969.
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Tom Landry
Thomas Wade "Tom" Landry (September 11, 1924 – February 12, 2000) was an American football player and coach. He is ranked as one of the greatest and most innovative coaches in National Football League (NFL) history, creating many new formations and methods. He invented the now popular 4–3 defense, and the "flex defense" system made famous by the "Doomsday Defense" squads he created during his 29 year tenure with the Dallas Cowboys.
Landry won two Super Bowl titles (VI, XII), 5 NFC titles, 13 Divisional titles, and compiled a 270-178-6 record, the 3rd most wins of all time for an NFL coach. His 20 career playoff victories are the most of any coach in NFL history. He was named the NFL Coach of the Year in 1966 and the NFC Coach of the Year in 1975. His most impressive professional accomplishment is his 20 consecutive winning seasons (1966–1985), an NFL record that remains unbroken and unchallenged. Also from 1965-1981 the Cowboys won 17 consecutive regular season openers, also an NFL record that remains unbroken and unchallenged. Under Landry the Cowboys had a record of 41-11 in regular season games in the month of Dec. from 1965–1982, and 24-4 from 1970-1979 to either clinch a playoff spot or build momentum to go deep on many championship runs, from 1966-1982 Dallas played in 12 NFL/NFC Championship games, a span of 17 years. More impressive is the Cowboys appearance in 10 NFC Championship games in the 13 year span from 1970-1982. Leading the Cowboys to 3 Super Bowl appearances in four years between 1975–1978,and 5 in 9 years between 1970–1978, and being on T.V. more than any other NFL Franchise is what spawned the title of "America's Team", a title Landry did not appreciate because he felt it would bring on extra motivation from the rest of the league to compete with the 'Boys. The Cowboys also won 10+ games 17 out of 20 years from 1966-1985 including playoff wins, for a overall record of 226-95-2 in that span of 20 consecutive winning seasons.
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Tom Matte
Thomas Roland Matte (born June 14, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) was an American football player who played quarterback in college and primarily running back in the NFL in the 1960s and 1970s and earned a Super Bowl Ring. He attended Shaw High School in East Cleveland and is an Eagle Scout[citation needed]. Matte was an All-American back at Ohio State University.
Matte's 12-year pro career was spent with the Baltimore Colts where he posted career stats of 4,646 rushing yards, 249 receptions for 2,869 yards, 1,367 yards returning kickoffs, and 57 touchdowns (45 rushing, 12 receiving). Late in the 1965 season, Matte also memorably filled in as an emergency quarterback when Colts QBs Johnny Unitas and Gary Cuozzo went down with season-ending injuries in consecutive home losses to the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, respectively. For the Colts' regular-season finale (a 20-17 win) against the Los Angeles Rams and the following weekend's one-game playoff at Green Bay (a 13-10 overtime loss resulting from a missed Packer field goal that was erroneously ruled good), Colts head coach Don Shula put a list of plays on a wristband that Matte wore. The wristband is now on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Tom Nowatzke
Thomas Matthew "Tom" Nowatzke (born September 30, 1942, La Porte, Indiana) was a National Football League running back from 1965 through 1972. He scored a touchdown for the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V. He was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
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Tom Ramsey
Tom Ramsey (born July 9, 1961 in Encino, California) is a former professional American football quarterback, who played four seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots. Earlier he played for the Los Angeles Express and the Oakland Invaders of the USFL.
Ramsey graduated from Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, Calif., in 1979. When Ramsey was quarterback for Kennedy, the quarterback at rival high school Granada Hills was John Elway[1].
At UCLA, he played an outstanding Rose Bowl game in 1983 and was awarded the game MVP along with Don Rogers. In 2007, Ramsey was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Tommy Maxwell
Tommy Marshall Maxwell (born May 5, 1947 in Houston, Texas) is a former American football player. After playing college football at Texas A&M, he spent six seasons playing in the NFL. In his second season, he helped the Baltimore Colts win Super Bowl V.
He is the founder of Coaches Outreach, a non-profit Christian organization that aims to spiritually develop high school coaches and their spouses.
Maxwell lettered in football at Texas A&M from 1966–68. In the 1967 season, he helped the Aggie team win a Southwest Conference (SWC) title after a 0–4 start. The Aggies were invited to play the Cotton Bowl Classic, in which they defeated Alabama. He was also named a first-team All-SWC wide receiver in the same season. and a first-team All-American defensive back in 1968. In the 1969 NFL Draft, he was picked by the Baltimore Colts in the second round (51st overall).
A career-ending neck injury forced Maxwell to retire after the 1974 season.
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Tony Dungy
Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy (pronounced /ˈdʌndʒi/ DUN-jee; born October 6, 1955) is a former professional American football player and coach in the National Football League. Dungy was head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001, and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2002 to 2008.
Dungy became the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl when his Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. Dungy set a new NFL record for consecutive playoff appearances by a head coach In 2008 after securing his tenth straight playoff appearance with a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After the 2008 season, Dungy announced his retirement as coach of the Indianapolis Colts, which went into effect after the 2008–2009 season. Since retirement, Dungy has served as an analyst on NBC's Football Night in America. Tony Dungy is also the national spokesman for the fatherhood program All Pro Dad. The Colts qualified for the playoffs in every season they were coached by Dungy.
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Troy Aikman
Troy Kenneth Aikman (born November 21, 1966) is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. The number one overall draft pick in 1989, Aikman played twelve consecutive seasons as quarterback with the Cowboys. During his career he was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, led the team to three Super Bowl victories, and was the Super Bowl XXVII MVP. Aikman was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and to the College Football Hall of Fame on December 9, 2008 in New York City.
Currently he works as a television sportscaster for the Fox network. He is a former joint owner of the NASCAR Sprint Cup racing team, Hall of Fame Racing, along with fellow former Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, and is a part-owner of the San Diego Padres.
The New York Mets offered Aikman a contract out of high school, but instead of playing baseball he chose to pursue football and attended the University of Oklahoma under head coach Barry Switzer.
In 1985, his first season as a collegiate starter, Aikman led the Sooners to wins over Minnesota, Kansas State, and #17 Texas in the Red River Shootout before hosting the Miami Hurricanes and his future head coach Jimmy Johnson.
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Troy Vincent
Troy Darnell Vincent (born June 8, 1970) is a former Defensive Back for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Dolphins with the 7th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin.
Vincent is the Vice President of the NFL Player Engagement Organization, formerly the NFL Player Development Organization, a position he was named to in February 2010. His mission is to engage and enable players to be better citizens, and lifelong learners while pursuing continuous improvement in family relations, social interactions, personal growth and career development.
Troy Vincent's organization initiatives and efforts to offer current and former players career transition resources were cited in the Boston Globe and most recently in The New York Times article titled Help for Pro Athletes When the Cheers Stop
John Smallwood, Philadelphia Daily News sports columnist, wrote about Troy Vincent's efforts to support ex-players in their transition from the playing field to life after football. With over 160 days spent annually on the road, Vincent is viewed as a mobile professional. Vincent provided insights on balancing such a demanding schedule in a USA Today article.
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Val Pinchbeck
Valjean A. Pinchbeck (February 16, 1931 – March 6, 2004) was an American football executive on both the college and professional level.
Pinchbeck was born on February 16, 1931, in Syracuse, New York. He died while crossing a Manhattan street and subsequently hit by a cab, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Vince Lombardi
Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi (June 11, 1913 – September 3, 1970) was an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight league championships and five in seven years, including winning the first two Super Bowls following the 1966 and 1967 NFL seasons. The National Football League's Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor. He was enshrined in the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
He played football at St. Francis Preparatory School, and later Fordham University. He began coaching as an assistant and later as a head coach at St. Cecilia High School. He would later become an assistant coach at Fordham University, the U.S. Military Academy, and the New York Giants before becoming a head coach for the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967 and the Washington Redskins in 1969. He never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, compiling an impressive regular season winning percentage of 73.8% and 90% in the postseason.
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Walt Kiesling
Walter Andrew Kiesling (May 27, 1903 – March 2, 1962) was an American football player and coach.
A native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Kiesling played both offensive and defensive line at the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota). His professional career took him to the Duluth Eskimos, Pottsville Maroons, Chicago Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Keisling's coaching career in the National Football League was spent exclusively with the Steelers. He was head coach for most of the six seasons from 1939 to 1944, and came back for a second stint from 1954 to 1956. In 1943 and 1944 he split head coaching duties — with Greasy Neale when the Steelers merged with the Philadelphia Eagles (to form the "Steagles") in '43 and then with Phil Handler when the Steelers merged with the Chicago Cardinals the following season. A 1939 Official Program for Pittsburgh Pirates Intra-Squad Game lists Keisling as "Asst. Coach" and Johny Blood (McNally) as "Coach".
Kiesling's overall record at Pittsburgh was 30-55-5. He kept the franchise competitive, but only put together two winning seasons.
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Walter Payton
Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1954 – November 1, 1999) was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football. Payton, a nine-time Pro Bowl selectee, once held the league's record for most career rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and many other categories. He was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Hall of Fame NFL player and coach Mike Ditka described Payton as the greatest football player he had ever seen—but even greater as a human being.
Payton began his football career in Mississippi, and went on to have an outstanding collegiate football career at Jackson State University where he was an All-American. He started his professional career with the Bears in 1975, who selected him as the 1975 Draft's fourth overall pick. Payton proceeded to win two NFL Most Valuable Player Awards and won Super Bowl XX with the 1985 Chicago Bears. After struggling with the rare liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis for several months, Payton died on November 1, 1999, aged 45, from cholangiocarcinoma. His legacy includes the Walter Payton Award, the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and a heightened awareness of the need for organ donations.
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Warren Moon
Harold Warren Moon (born November 18, 1956) is a former American professional gridiron football quarterback who played for the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and the National Football League's Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. He is currently a broadcaster for the Seattle Seahawks.
Moon is one of only two people to be enshrined in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the United States and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (former coach Bud Grant, who coached the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to four Grey Cup titles and the Minnesota Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances, is the other). Moon is also the first modern African-American quarterback to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Moon held the record for most passing yardage in professional football (CFL + NFL career) until surpassed by Damon Allen on September 4, 2006, held the record for most passing touchdowns in professional football until surpassed by Brett Favre on November 22, 2007, held the record for most pass completions in professional football until surpassed by Brett Favre on December 23, 2007, and held the record for most pass attempts in professional football history until surpassed by Brett Favre on December 14, 2008.
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Warrick Dunn
Warrick De'Mon Dunn (born January 5, 1975 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is a former American football running back, and current minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, after playing college football at Florida State. Dunn was named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1997 and earned three Pro Bowl selections in his career. He played for the Atlanta Falcons from 2002 to 2007 between stints in Tampa Bay. After his career, Dunn took a stake in the Falcons' ownership group led by Arthur Blank.
At Catholic High in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dunn played quarterback, cornerback, and running back. During his sophomore year he helped lead Catholic High to the state 4A championship game for the first time in its history. He was an All-America honorable mention selection by USA Today as a senior.
On January 7, 1993, Dunn's mother Betty Smothers, an off-duty police officer escorting a businesswoman to a bank to make a night deposit, was ambushed and killed by armed robbers. Three men were sent to prison for the murder, and 2 remain on death row. Dunn, two days after his 18th birthday, became the head of his family and raised his siblings. In 2007, Dunn met with one of the convicted men at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
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Weeb Ewbank
Wilbur "Weeb" Ewbank (May 6, 1907 – November 17, 1998) was an American professional football coach. He coached the New York Jets to victory over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in 1969.
Ewbank was born in Richmond, Indiana, and lived there through high school. He then attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he played quarterback under head coach Chester Pittser and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
Ewbank's first football coaching job was in 1928 at Van Wert High School in Van Wert, Ohio. He soon moved back to Oxford, Ohio, and took a position to coach all sports at McGuffey High School. McGuffey was a school run by Miami University, separate from Oxford's public high school. In 1939, Ewbank agreed to coach both the McGuffey High School and the Miami University basketball team when Miami’s basketball coach left for another job.
During World War II Ewbank joined the Navy and was assigned to Naval Station Great Lakes, where he was reunited with his Miami teammate Paul Brown who was the base football coach. At Great Lakes, he assisted Brown with the football team and coached the basketball team
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Wellington Mara
Wellington Timothy Mara (August 14, 1916 – October 25, 2005) was the co-owner of the NFL's New York Giants from 1959 until his death, and one of the most influential and iconic figures in the history of the National Football League. He was the younger son of Tim Mara, who founded the Giants in 1925. Wellington was a ball boy for that year.
Mara was born in Rochester, New York, the son of Elizabeth "Lizette" (née Barclay), a homemaker, and Timothy James Mara. He was an alumnus of the Jesuit schools, Loyola School and Fordham University in New York City.
In 1930, Tim Mara split his ownership interests between Wellington (then 14) and his older brother Jack. Soon after graduating from Fordham University, Wellington moved into the Giants' front office. He served as Assistant to the President and Treasurer, 1937; Secretary, 1938–1940; Vice-President and Secretary, 1945–1958; Vice-President, 1959–1965; President, 1966–1990; President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, 1991–2005. For his first 28 years in the organization, he handled the franchise's football decisions.
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Willie Lanier
Willie Edward Lanier (born August 21, 1945, in Clover, Virginia) is a former American football middle-linebacker who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 through 1977. He won postseason honors for eight consecutive years, making the American Football League All-Star team in 1968 and 1969 before being selected to the Pro Bowl from 1970 through 1975. He was inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
Lanier was born in Clover and attended Maggie L. Walker High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Lanier played college football at Morgan State University under head coach Earl Banks where he was twice selected to the small-college College Football All-America Team and was also chosen MVP of the Tangerine Bowl.
Willie Lanier is a member of The Pigskin Club Of Washington, D.C. National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
On January 15, 1967, the Chiefs lost Super Bowl I to Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers by a 35-10 score, forcing head coach Hank Stram to look for defensive players in the upcoming draft. Stram picked Lanier in the second round, after the team had selected another linebacker, Jim Lynch of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
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Y. A. Tittle
Yelberton Abraham Tittle (born October 24, 1926), better known as Y. A. Tittle, is a former football quarterback in the National Football League and All-America Football Conference who played for the Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Tittle was born and raised in Marshall, Texas, where he played high school football. He attended Louisiana State University and played quarterback for the LSU Tigers football team. He was named the MVP of the legendary 1947 Cotton Bowl Classic, which ended in a scoreless tie between LSU and Arkansas during an ice storm.
Tittle began his career with the Baltimore Colts of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1948, who eventually joined the NFL in 1950. The Colts became defunct after that season, and Tittle joined the San Francisco 49ers. He played there for ten seasons, through 1960, often struggling for playing time. In 1951 and 1952, Frankie Albert also played quarterback extensively, and then from 1957 through 1960, John Brodie took time on the field away from Tittle.
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Y.A. Tittle
Yelberton Abraham Tittle (born October 24, 1926), better known as Y. A. Tittle, is a former football quarterback in the National Football League and All-America Football Conference who played for the Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Tittle was born and raised in Marshall, Texas, where he played high school football. He attended Louisiana State University and played quarterback for the LSU Tigers football team. He was named the MVP of the legendary 1947 Cotton Bowl Classic, which ended in a scoreless tie between LSU and Arkansas during an ice storm.
Tittle began his career with the Baltimore Colts of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1948, who eventually joined the NFL in 1950. The Colts became defunct after that season, and Tittle joined the San Francisco 49ers. He played there for ten seasons, through 1960, often struggling for playing time. In 1951 and 1952, Frankie Albert also played quarterback extensively, and then from 1957 through 1960, John Brodie took time on the field away from Tittle.
wn.com/Y.A._Tittle -
Yale Lary
Robert Yale Lary (born November 24, 1930 in Fort Worth, Texas) is a former American football player.
After graduating from North Side High School in 1949, he attended Texas A&M University, where he was a standout in football and baseball. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round in the 1952 NFL Draft.
Lary was a superlative defensive back from 1956 to 1964, with time out for a tour of Army duty in 1954-55. Yale Lary also became one of the best punters in the game's history upon his return from the service. He was a key contributor for the Lions as they claimed three NFL World Championships in 1952, 1953 and 1957.
Lary played in the defensive backfield alongside Jack Christiansen and Jim David on "Chris' Crew" in the early 1960s, when Detroit was one of the best pro teams of the era. The position he played is known today as free safety - the center fielder of the defensive backfield. He made 50 career interceptions, and only recently (with expanded schedules allowing for more opportunities per season) has Lary been pushed from the top 20 list in NFL career interceptions.
wn.com/Yale_Lary
Unitas, Johnny Filmography
- Namath (2012)
- Lombardi (2010)
- The Greatest Game Ever Played (2008)
- Super Bowl XLI (2007)
- Rated 'R': Republicans in Hollywood (2004)
- The Last Season: The Life and Demolition of Baltimore's Memorial Stadium (2002)
- Unitas (1999)
- Any Given Sunday (1999)
- The NFL's Greatest Games: '58 Championship (1998)
- Super Bowl X (1976)
- Gus (1976)
- Super Bowl (1976)
- 1971 AFC Championship Game (1972)
- Super Bowl V (1971)
- Plimpton! The Great Quarterback Sneak (1971)
- 1970 AFC Championship Game (1971)
- MASH (1970)
- Super Bowl III (1969)
- 1964 NFL Championship Game (1964)
- 1959 NFL Championship Game (1959)
Famous quotes by Johnny Unitas:
"Hey, I'm 68 years old."
"I always thought I could play pro ball. I had confidence in my ability, You have to. If you don't who will?"
"There is a difference between conceit and confidence. Conceit is bragging about yourself. Confidence means you believe you can get the job done."
"Hey, I'm 68 years old."
"I always thought I could play pro ball. I had confidence in my ability, You have to. If you don't who will?"
"There is a difference between conceit and confidence. Conceit is bragging about yourself. Confidence means you believe you can get the job done."
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NFL Top 100 Players of All Time - #6 Johnny Unitas
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:16
- Updated: 15 Dec 2012
RIP To my favorite QB of All Time. All credit and images belong to the National Football League, and NFL Films. I do not own any of this content by any means. Credit to Hulu for having this footage available.
http://wn.com/NFL_Top_100_Players_of_All_Time_6_Johnny_Unitas
RIP To my favorite QB of All Time. All credit and images belong to the National Football League, and NFL Films. I do not own any of this content by any means. Credit to Hulu for having this footage available.
API Interview with Johnny Unitas
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 18:11
- Updated: 10 Jun 2012
http://wn.com/API_Interview_with_Johnny_Unitas
John Unitas-The First Modern Quarterback
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:45
- Updated: 16 Dec 2012
If anyone ever asks you who was the greatest quarterback of them all, you can't say you weren't told. NFL FILMS MUSIC: The Pony Soldiers, Sam Spence visit an art blog with cool sports, superhero and Western art: www.artbymike.blog.com
http://wn.com/John_Unitas-The_First_Modern_Quarterback
If anyone ever asks you who was the greatest quarterback of them all, you can't say you weren't told. NFL FILMS MUSIC: The Pony Soldiers, Sam Spence visit an art blog with cool sports, superhero and Western art: www.artbymike.blog.com
- published: 22 Nov 2011
- views: 1821
- author: artbymike1
Johnny Unitas
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:16
- Updated: 13 Dec 2012
Johnny Unitas(Grandpa's Dream #19) from The Drovers Old Time Medicine Show's "Dreamland" album. Standing in the shadows of their own goalposts The team looked at him with confidence and hope Marching down the field, the crowd holds it's breath Johnny and the Colts, and the first Sudden Death (chorus) I wanna be Johnny Unitas, flat top hair and high top cleats The strongest mule out on the farm, a general on the field With a Golden Arm After college he was cut by the Steelers and the Browns But Johnny and his wife, they never got down He played sandlot ball for $6 a game Now #19 is in the Hall of Fame (chorus) Late in life he had, Johnny had some rough times But he'd call an audible when he stepped up to the line Now, when you visit the shrine, up in Ohio Remember Johnny was a Baltimore, not no Indianapolis Colt!!!!!!
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas
Johnny Unitas(Grandpa's Dream #19) from The Drovers Old Time Medicine Show's "Dreamland" album. Standing in the shadows of their own goalposts The team looked at him with confidence and hope Marching down the field, the crowd holds it's breath Johnny and the Colts, and the first Sudden Death (chorus) I wanna be Johnny Unitas, flat top hair and high top cleats The strongest mule out on the farm, a general on the field With a Golden Arm After college he was cut by the Steelers and the Browns But Johnny and his wife, they never got down He played sandlot ball for $6 a game Now #19 is in the Hall of Fame (chorus) Late in life he had, Johnny had some rough times But he'd call an audible when he stepped up to the line Now, when you visit the shrine, up in Ohio Remember Johnny was a Baltimore, not no Indianapolis Colt!!!!!!
- published: 02 Mar 2009
- views: 35608
- author: zped99
Sam Huff at the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Ceremony
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 7:37
- Updated: 29 Oct 2012
Sam Huff was one of the speakers at the 2008 Golden Arm Award ceremony in Baltimore, Md. Here is his speech, which has many humorous moments.
http://wn.com/Sam_Huff_at_the_Johnny_Unitas_Golden_Arm_Award_Ceremony
Sam Huff was one of the speakers at the 2008 Golden Arm Award ceremony in Baltimore, Md. Here is his speech, which has many humorous moments.
- published: 27 Dec 2008
- views: 3989
- author: paliazzar
Drew Brees didn't really break Johnny Unitas's record, Saints beat Chargers - after further review
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 6:11
- Updated: 13 Dec 2012
New Orleans Saints vs San Diego Chargers week 5 2012 NFL season review, recap, results, and analysis. I give you my thoughts, after further review. New Orleans Saints 31 vs San Diego Chargers 24. Drew Brees got suspended coach Sean Payton in the building, broke a prestigious NFL passing record (sort of) and led New Orleans to a desperately needed first win of the season. For one memorable night, at least, the entire beleaguered Saints organization and their frustrated fans could celebrate a special moment in football history and recapture that winning feeling that had become commonplace before an offseason overshadowed by the NFL's bounty investigation.
http://wn.com/Drew_Brees_didn't_really_break_Johnny_Unitas's_record,_Saints_beat_Chargers_after_further_review
New Orleans Saints vs San Diego Chargers week 5 2012 NFL season review, recap, results, and analysis. I give you my thoughts, after further review. New Orleans Saints 31 vs San Diego Chargers 24. Drew Brees got suspended coach Sean Payton in the building, broke a prestigious NFL passing record (sort of) and led New Orleans to a desperately needed first win of the season. For one memorable night, at least, the entire beleaguered Saints organization and their frustrated fans could celebrate a special moment in football history and recapture that winning feeling that had become commonplace before an offseason overshadowed by the NFL's bounty investigation.
- published: 10 Oct 2012
- views: 890
- author: BruceBlitzed
Johnny Unitas Defeats New York Giants in 1958 pro-grid Championship
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:25
- Updated: 20 Oct 2012
Taken from ahiv.alexanderstreet.com, this archived newsreel shows Johnny Unitas and the Colts upset the Giants in the 1958 Pro-Grid Championship. For more information o how to access all newsreels, go to http
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas_Defeats_New_York_Giants_in_1958_pro-grid_Championship
Taken from ahiv.alexanderstreet.com, this archived newsreel shows Johnny Unitas and the Colts upset the Giants in the 1958 Pro-Grid Championship. For more information o how to access all newsreels, go to http
- published: 09 Jan 2012
- views: 1606
- author: AlexanderStreetPress
Johnny Unitas (Quick Tribute)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:19
- Updated: 17 Nov 2012
Here is my first Colt video! Hope you enjoy.
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas_Quick_Tribute
Peyton Manning on Johnny Unitas
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:24
- Updated: 21 Oct 2012
From September 21, 2009 on Monday Night. Very classy comment from a guy who deeply appreciates the history of the NFL.
http://wn.com/Peyton_Manning_on_Johnny_Unitas
From September 21, 2009 on Monday Night. Very classy comment from a guy who deeply appreciates the history of the NFL.
- published: 11 Dec 2010
- views: 9549
- author: MattArchives
Johnny Unitas
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:27
- Updated: 20 Nov 2012
Moments of Truth: Sports - Vol. 10 The true wide wide world of sports...From Football to Cricket to Waterpolo, come look at some of the most exciting pastimes in the world!
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas
Moments of Truth: Sports - Vol. 10 The true wide wide world of sports...From Football to Cricket to Waterpolo, come look at some of the most exciting pastimes in the world!
- published: 13 Mar 2012
- views: 505
- author: InceptionMoments
Johnny Unitas Tribute
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:02
- Updated: 28 Feb 2012
A tribute to Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts.
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas_Tribute
A tribute to Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts.
- published: 22 Dec 2008
- views: 5163
- author: lucky8645
Johnny Unitas - Baltimore Colts Mania.com 1958 NFL Champion
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:39
- Updated: 20 Nov 2012
www.BaltimoreColtsMania.com is your 1st stop for everything about the Baltimore Colts, Johnny Unitas, Lenny Moore, Mike Curtis, Art Donovan, Jim Parker, John Mackey, Raymond Berry, 1958 NFL Championship, video and audio, and the Baltimore Colts Marching Band! The background song is "Unitas We Stand," written by Tony Sciuto and Tony Lombardi, and performed by Tony Sciuto. Please visit Tony Lombardi and D3 Corp's site, www.ColtsHeritage.com.
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas_Baltimore_Colts_Maniacom_1958_NFL_Champion
www.BaltimoreColtsMania.com is your 1st stop for everything about the Baltimore Colts, Johnny Unitas, Lenny Moore, Mike Curtis, Art Donovan, Jim Parker, John Mackey, Raymond Berry, 1958 NFL Championship, video and audio, and the Baltimore Colts Marching Band! The background song is "Unitas We Stand," written by Tony Sciuto and Tony Lombardi, and performed by Tony Sciuto. Please visit Tony Lombardi and D3 Corp's site, www.ColtsHeritage.com.
- published: 20 Apr 2007
- views: 44236
- author: BaltimoreColts
Mike Nabors Talks With Johnny Unitas' Son, Joe Unitas, Following Drew Brees Breaking Unitas' Record
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:52
- Updated: 14 Oct 2012
http://wn.com/Mike_Nabors_Talks_With_Johnny_Unitas'_Son,_Joe_Unitas,_Following_Drew_Brees_Breaking_Unitas'_Record
Johnny Unitas impressed by a scrimmage
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 0:54
- Updated: 18 May 2012
Baltimore's early turn out sends a jolt of support to the Baltimore Colts.
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas_impressed_by_a_scrimmage
Baltimore's early turn out sends a jolt of support to the Baltimore Colts.
- published: 19 Dec 2007
- views: 13897
- author: mgarland22271
Band That Wouldn't Die - ESPN Documentary - Baltimore Colts - Johnny Unitas - Bert Jones
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:56
- Updated: 16 Nov 2012
Baltimore Colts fans, watch The Band That Wouldnt Die an ESPN documentary directed by Barry Levinson. The film focuses on the Colts moving from Baltimore in 1984 and John Ziemanns efforts to keep the Colts Marching Band not only intact, but also to serve as good will ambassadors playing any where they can to promote the city of Baltimore in their efforts to secure an NFL franchise. Forthcoming Scheduled Show Times: Monday, October 19 7PM ESPN 2 Wednesday, October 21 8PM ESPN 2 Sunday, October 25 9PM ESPN Classic Sunday, November 8 9PM ESPN Classic Friday, December 25 5PM ESPN Classic I guess these video clips will be here for a while longer.
http://wn.com/Band_That_Wouldn't_Die_ESPN_Documentary_Baltimore_Colts_Johnny_Unitas_Bert_Jones
Baltimore Colts fans, watch The Band That Wouldnt Die an ESPN documentary directed by Barry Levinson. The film focuses on the Colts moving from Baltimore in 1984 and John Ziemanns efforts to keep the Colts Marching Band not only intact, but also to serve as good will ambassadors playing any where they can to promote the city of Baltimore in their efforts to secure an NFL franchise. Forthcoming Scheduled Show Times: Monday, October 19 7PM ESPN 2 Wednesday, October 21 8PM ESPN 2 Sunday, October 25 9PM ESPN Classic Sunday, November 8 9PM ESPN Classic Friday, December 25 5PM ESPN Classic I guess these video clips will be here for a while longer.
- published: 19 Oct 2009
- views: 9255
- author: joneseracolts
Drew Brees Breaks Johnny Unitas' TD Record - SportsCenter (10-07-2012)
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:43
- Updated: 08 Oct 2012
Drew Brees passes for a touchdown in a NFL-record 48th consecutive game, previously held by Hall of Famer the late Johnny Unitas at 47 as the Saints defeat the Chargers at home 31-24 on Sunday Night Football.
http://wn.com/Drew_Brees_Breaks_Johnny_Unitas'_TD_Record_SportsCenter_10-07-2012
Drew Brees passes for a touchdown in a NFL-record 48th consecutive game, previously held by Hall of Famer the late Johnny Unitas at 47 as the Saints defeat the Chargers at home 31-24 on Sunday Night Football.
- published: 08 Oct 2012
- views: 652
- author: SportsCenterJSA
Johnny Unitas
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:55
- Updated: 07 Oct 2012
johnny unitas
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas
Drew Brees Breaks John Unitas Touchdown NFL Record! Monday Night Football. 48 Touchdown Passes
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:04
- Updated: 13 Nov 2012
Drew Brees Breaks John Unitas Touchdown Record with 48 Touchdowns.
http://wn.com/Drew_Brees_Breaks_John_Unitas_Touchdown_NFL_Record!_Monday_Night_Football_48_Touchdown_Passes
Drew Brees Breaks John Unitas Touchdown Record with 48 Touchdowns.
- published: 08 Oct 2012
- views: 1346
- author: TigerxlrTV
johnny unitas
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 11:31
- Updated: 03 Oct 2012
all rights belong to nfl films
http://wn.com/johnny_unitas
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:02
- Updated: 05 Sep 2012
Since 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has recognized college football's top senior and upperclassman quarterback. In the spirit of Johnny Unitas, founder and arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game, this award has been bestowed upon standouts such as Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning and Matt Ryan. Transamerica has proudly sponsored this award for nearly a decade. Reproduced by permission of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation and Unitas Management Corp. Learn more at www.Transamerica.com
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas_Golden_Arm_Award
Since 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has recognized college football's top senior and upperclassman quarterback. In the spirit of Johnny Unitas, founder and arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game, this award has been bestowed upon standouts such as Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning and Matt Ryan. Transamerica has proudly sponsored this award for nearly a decade. Reproduced by permission of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation and Unitas Management Corp. Learn more at www.Transamerica.com
- published: 07 Dec 2011
- views: 516
- author: TRANSAMERICA
Johnny Unitas - Let's Go You Baltimore Colts - Unitas We Stand - 1958 NFL Championship
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:35
- Updated: 19 Nov 2012
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas_Let's_Go_You_Baltimore_Colts_Unitas_We_Stand_1958_NFL_Championship
johnny unitas vintage cut autograph trade/sale + roger staubach colts dallas cowboys
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:39
- Updated: 26 Aug 2011
showing off a sweet vintage 1971 topps football card AND AWESOME CUT AUTOGRAPH OF THE MAN..JOHNNY UNITAS! make me offers to trade or buy please..and black ink roger staubach autograph!
http://wn.com/johnny_unitas_vintage_cut_autograph_trade_sale_+_roger_staubach_colts_dallas_cowboys
showing off a sweet vintage 1971 topps football card AND AWESOME CUT AUTOGRAPH OF THE MAN..JOHNNY UNITAS! make me offers to trade or buy please..and black ink roger staubach autograph!
- published: 25 Jul 2011
- views: 180
- author: sabreyow
Drew Brees breaks Johnny Unitas Touchdown Record
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:28
- Updated: 03 Dec 2012
Johnny Unitas' 50 year record is broken by Drew Brees in yesterday's game against the chargers. The saints also win their first game of the 2012-13 season. congrats drew
http://wn.com/Drew_Brees_breaks_Johnny_Unitas_Touchdown_Record
Johnny Unitas' 50 year record is broken by Drew Brees in yesterday's game against the chargers. The saints also win their first game of the 2012-13 season. congrats drew
- published: 08 Oct 2012
- views: 786
- author: chris yoo
photo: AP / Jason DeCrow
16 Dec 2012
NEWTOWN, Conn. — The gunman in the Connecticut shooting rampage committed suicide as first responders closed in, the governor said Sunday, raising the specter that Adam Lanza had planned an even more gruesome massacre and was stopped short. Lanza blasted his way into the building and used a high-power rifle to kill 20 children and six adults, including the principal who tried to stop him, authorities said ... Among the questions ... H ... The Rev....(size: 8.8Kb)
photo: AP / Guang Niu, Pool
16 Dec 2012
Retired Col. Gen. Viktor Yesin yesterday wrapped up a visit to the United States during which he met with officials at the Pentagon, State Department as well as members of Congress warning about underestimating China’s tactical nuclear weapons buildup ... Yesin warns that U.S. and Western arms specialists are dramatically underestimating China’s nuclear arsenal ... Somewhere between the higher and lower estimates is no doubt the truth ... Mr ... Mr ... ....(size: 4.0Kb)
photo: AP / Newtown Bee, Shannon Hicks
15 Dec 2012
Newtown, Conn. Twenty schoolchildren were slaughtered by a heavily armed gunman who opened fire at a suburban elementary school in Connecticut on Friday, ultimately killing at least 27 people including himself in the one of the worst mass shootings in US history ... Authorities found 18 children and seven adults, including the gunman, dead at the school, and two children were pronounced dead later after being taken to a hospital ... Reuters ....(size: 7.5Kb)
photo: AP / David Goldman
17 Dec 2012
WASHINGTON—Democrats say meaningful action in the wake of last week's elementary school shooting must include a ban on military-style assault weapons and a look at how the nation deals with individuals suffering from serious mental illness. Several Democratic lawmakers and Independent Sen ... Gun control was a hot topic in the early 1990s, when Congress enacted a 10-year ban on assault weapons ... He added ... Sen ... Rep ... ———....(size: 5.3Kb)
photo: AP / Jessica Hill
14 Dec 2012
More than two dozen people, mostly elementary school children, were shot and killed at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school this morning, federal and state sources tell ABC News. The massacre involved two gunmen at a Connecticut school this morning, prompting the town of Newtown to lock down all of its schools and draw SWAT teams to the school, authorities said today. State Police confirm that one shooter is dead ... at ABCNews.com ... ....(size: 4.5Kb)
noodls
17 Dec 2012
(Source. New England Patriots) The following are game notes from the New England Patriots regular season game vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2012. WELKER BECOMES FIRST NFL PLAYER WITH FIVE SEASONS WITH 100 RECEPTIONS ... MOST 100-RECEPTION SEASONS IN NFL HISTORY ... 14, 2012 ... It is the third longest streak, behind Drew Brees at 54 and Johnny Unitas (47) (1956-60) and the longest current streak in the NFL....(size: 15.9Kb)
Sacramento Bee
14 Dec 2012
SAN FRANCISCO (9-3-1) at NEW ENGLAND (10-3). Sunday, 8.20 p.m., NBC. OPENING LINE - Patriots by 5 1/2. RECORD VS. SPREAD - San Francisco 8-5; New England 8-5. SERIES RECORD - 49ers lead 7-4. AP PRO32 RANKING - 49ers No. 3; Patriots No. 1. LAST MEETING - Patriots beat 49ers 30-21, Oct. 5, 2008 ... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. ... ... Tom Brady has thrown TD pass in 45 consecutive games, trailing only Drew Brees (54) and Johnny Unitas (47) ... .. ......(size: 2.2Kb)
Knox News
13 Dec 2012
SAN FRANCISCO (9-3-1) at NEW ENGLAND (10-3). Sunday, 8.20 p.m., NBC. OPENING LINE — Patriots by 5½. RECORD VS. SPREAD — San Francisco 8-5; New England 8-5. SERIES RECORD — 49ers lead 7-4. AP PRO32 RANKING — 49ers No. 3; Patriots No. 1. LAST MEETING — Patriots beat 49ers 30-21, Oct. 5, 2008 ... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. ... ... Tom Brady has thrown TD pass in 45 consecutive games, trailing only Drew Brees (54) and Johnny Unitas (47) ... .. ... ___....(size: 2.2Kb)
noodls
12 Dec 2012
(Source. New England Patriots) Tom Brady named AFC Offensive Player of the Week; Earns honor for NFL-record 23rd time. FOXBOROUGH, Mass ... Louis in London in Week 8. Brady completed 21 of 35 passes for 296 yards and four touchdown passes against the Texans ... It was Brady's 45th straight game with a touchdown pass, the longest active streak and third-longest streak all-time, behind Drew Brees (54) and Johnny Unitas (47) ... (noodl....(size: 2.4Kb)
noodls
12 Dec 2012
(Source ... 49ERS (9-3-1) ... With one touchdown pass against the 49ers, Tom Brady will extend his streak to 46 straight games with at least one touchdown pass and continue his third longest streak all time, behind Drew Brees (54) and Johnny Unitas (47) ... The number of consecutive games that Brady has thrown at least one touchdown pass, the longest active streak in the NFL and the third best ever behind Drew Brees (54) and Johnny Unitas (47)....(size: 19.9Kb)
The Dallas Morning News
11 Dec 2012
Collin Klein was good enough to led Kansas State to its third-ever Big 12 title and first in nearly a decade. He was good enough to be named the Johnny Unitas Award winner for being the nation’s top fourth-year quarterback. And he was good enough to be one of three players invited to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. But apparently Klein isn’t good enough to earn a spot in the next Senior Bowl ... Manuel ... ....(size: 2.4Kb)
Chicago Tribune
11 Dec 2012
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The much-hyped "Monday Night Football" matchup between the 11-1 Texans and the 9-3 Patriots was a dud. New England re-established itself as the team to beat in the AFC, clobbering Houston 42-14 for its seventh straight win ... It was his 18th game with at least four scoring throws, moving him past Johnny Unitas into fourth place on the all-time list ... Lloyd recovered in the end zone ... Backup T.J ... ....(size: 3.3Kb)
Houston Chronicle
11 Dec 2012
Posted on December 11, 2012 at 12.38 am by Ultimate Texans in General. E-mail. .. Print. By Seth Lakso. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Entering Monday’s prime-time game with Houston, there were those in New England starting to question Tom Brady’s faith in Brandon Lloyd ... Watt ... Brady has now passed for a touchdown in 45 straight games, good for third all-time in NFL history and trailing only Drew Brees (54) and Johnny Unitas (47) ... “Win ... 0 1. E-mail. ... ....(size: 3.5Kb)
The Associated Press
11 Dec 2012
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes as the New England Patriots turned their much-hyped game against the Houston Texans into a mismatch, leading 28-7 after the third quarter on Monday night. The Texans (11-1) entered with the NFL's best record ... It gave Brady his 18th game with at least four touchdown passes, moving ahead of Johnny Unitas into fourth place in NFL history ... Schaub was 19 for 32 for 232 yards ... ---....(size: 4.1Kb)
US News
11 Dec 2012
By HOWARD ULMAN, Associated Press. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Just another game for the New England Patriots. Just a wire-to-wire domination of the team with the NFL's best record. So when their 42-14 Monday night rout of the Houston Texans was complete, there were few big smiles and no loud music in the Patriots locker room ... He threw four touchdown passes for the 18th time, passing Johnny Unitas and moving into fourth place all time....(size: 4.5Kb)
Sacramento Bee
11 Dec 2012
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Just another game for the New England Patriots. Just a wire-to-wire domination of the team with the NFL's best record. So when their 42-14 Monday night rout of the Houston Texans was complete, there were few big smiles and no loud music in the Patriots locker room. They've been here before - many times ... He threw four touchdown passes for the 18th time, passing Johnny Unitas and moving into fourth place all time ... Notes....(size: 4.9Kb)
Indianapolis Star
11 Dec 2012
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Just another game for the New England Patriots. Just a wire-to-wire domination of the team with the NFL's best record. So when their 42-14 Monday night rout of the Houston Texans was complete, there were few big smiles and no loud music in the Patriots locker room. They've been here before -- many times ... He threw four touchdown passes for the 18th time, passing Johnny Unitas and moving into fourth place all time ... ... ....(size: 4.9Kb)
Star Tribune
11 Dec 2012
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Just another game for the New England Patriots. Just a wire-to-wire domination of the team with the NFL's best record. So when their 42-14 Monday night rout of the Houston Texans was complete, there were few big smiles and no loud music in the Patriots locker room. They've been here before — many times ... He threw four touchdown passes for the 18th time, passing Johnny Unitas and moving into fourth place all time ... ....(size: 5.3Kb)
 Unitas signing an autograph in 1964. |
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No. 19
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Personal information
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| Date of birth: (1933-05-07)May 7, 1933 | |||||||||||||||
| Place of birth: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | |||||||||||||||
| Date of death: September 11, 2002(2002-09-11) (aged 69) | |||||||||||||||
| Place of death: Timonium, Maryland | |||||||||||||||
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Career information
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| High school: St. Justin's High School | |||||||||||||||
| College: Louisville | |||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: 1955 / Round: 9 / Pick: 102 | |||||||||||||||
| Debuted in 1956 for the [[Baltimore Colts]] | |||||||||||||||
| Last played in 1973 for the San Diego Chargers | |||||||||||||||
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Career history
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Career highlights and awards
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Career NFL statistics as of 1973
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John Constantine Unitas ( /juːˈnaɪtɨs/; May 7, 1933 – September 11, 2002), known as Johnny Unitas or "Johnny U", and nicknamed "The Golden Arm", was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football League's most valuable player in 1959, 1964 and 1967. His record of throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games (between 1956–1960) remains unsurpassed as of 2011. He was the prototype of the modern era marquee quarterback with a strong passing game, media fanfare and widespread popularity. He has been consistently listed as one of the greatest NFL players of all time.[1]
Contents |
Early life[link]
John Constantine Unitas was born to Lithuanian immigrant parents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1933, and grew up in the Brookline neighborhood.[2] His father died when Johnny was four years old, and he was raised by his mother, who worked two jobs to support the family.[3] His unusual surname was a result of a phonetic transliteration of a common Lithuanian last name Jonaitis. Attending St Justin's High School in Pittsburgh, Unitas played halfback and quarterback. After high school, Unitas looked for an opportunity to play college football. He was passed over by Notre Dame and Indiana.
The University of Louisville came through and Unitas left home for Kentucky.
College career[link]
In his four-year career as a Louisville Cardinal, Unitas completed 245 passes for 3,139 yards and 27 touchdowns. It is recorded that the 6-foot-1 Johnny Unitas weighed 145 pounds on his first day of practice at the University of Louisville. Unitas' first start was in the fifth game of the 1951 season against St. Bonaventure. That game, the freshman threw 11 consecutive passes and three touchdowns to give the Cardinals a 21-19 lead. Though Louisville lost the game 22-21 on a disputed field goal, it had found a talented quarterback. Unitas completed 12 of 19 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-28 victory over Houston. The team finished the season 5-5 — 4-1 with Unitas as the starting quarterback. As a freshman, Unitas completed 46 of 99 passes for 602 yards and nine touchdowns (44).
By the 1952 season, the university decided to de-emphasize sports. The new president at Louisville, Dr. Philip Grant Davidson, reduced the amount of athletic aid, and tightened academic standards for athletes. As a result, 15 returning players could not meet the new standards and lost their scholarships. But Unitas maintained his scholarship by taking on a new elective: square dancing. During his square dancing classes, he frequently danced with Helene Paschke. In 1952 Coach Camp switched the team to two-way football. Unitas not only played safety or linebacker on defense and quarterback on offense but returned kicks and punts on special teams. The Cards won their first game against Wayne State, and then Florida State in the second game. Unitas completed 16 of 21 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. It was said that Unitas put on such a show at the Florida State game that he threw a pass under his legs for 15 yards. The rest of the season was a struggle for the Cards, who finished 3-5. Unitas completed 106 of 198 passes for 1,540 yards and 12 touchdowns in his sophomore year.[4]
The team won their first game in 1953, against Murray State, and lost the rest for a record of 1-7. One of the most memorable games of the season came in a 59-6 loss against Tennessee. Unitas completed 9 of 19 passes for 73 yards, rushed 9 times for 52 yards, returned 6 kickoffs for eighty-five yards, 1 punt for three yards, and had 86 percent of the team's tackles. The only touchdown the team scored was in the fourth quarter when Unitas made a fake pitch to the running back and ran the ball 23 yards for a touchdown. Unitas was hurt later in the fourth quarter while trying to run the ball, and on his way off the field received a standing ovation. When he got to the locker room he was so worn that his jersey and shoulder pads had to be cut off because he could not lift his arms. Louisville ended the season with 20-13 loss to Eastern Kentucky. In his junior year, Unitas completed 49 of 95 passes for 470 yards and three touchdowns.
Unitas was elected captain for the 1954 season, but due to an early injury did not see much playing time. His first start was the third game of the season, against Florida State. Of the 34-man team, 21 were freshmen. The 1954 Louisville Cardinals went 3-6, with the last win at home against Morehead State. Unitas was slowed by so many injuries his senior year his 527 passing yards ended second to Jim Houser's 560.[citation needed]
Professional career[link]
Pittsburgh Steelers[link]
After college, Unitas was drafted in the ninth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL but was released before the season began as the odd man out among four quarterbacks trying to fill three spots. Steelers Head Coach Walt Kiesling had made up his mind about Unitas; he somehow thought him not smart enough to quarterback an NFL team.[5] The opposite would be true, as Unitas would become one of the greatest on-field leaders of all time, introducing the 2-minute offense to the NFL. Kiesling never even let Unitas take a snap in practice with the Steelers. Among those edging out Unitas was Ted Marchibroda, future NFL quarterback and longtime NFL head coach. Married with a child[citation needed] and out of pro football, Unitas worked in construction in Pittsburgh to support his family.[6] On the weekends, he played quarterback, safety and punter on a local semipro team called the Bloomfield Rams for $6 a game.[7]
Baltimore Colts[link]
In 1956 Unitas joined the Baltimore Colts of the NFL under legendary coach Weeb Ewbank, after being asked at the last minute to join Bloomfield Rams lineman Jim Deglau, a Croatian steel worker with a life much like Unitas', at the latter's scheduled Colts tryout. The pair borrowed money from friends to pay for the gas to make the trip. Deglau later told a reporter after Unitas' death, "[His] uncle told him not to come. [He] was worried that if he came down and the Colts passed on him, it would look bad (to other NFL teams).".[8] The Colts signed Unitas, much to the chagrin of the Cleveland Browns, who had hoped to claim the rejected Steeler quarterback.[9]
When starting quarterback George Shaw suffered a broken leg against the Chicago Bears in the season's fourth game, Unitas made a nervous debut. His first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Then he botched a hand-off on his next play, a fumble recovered by the Bears. Unitas rebounded quickly from that 58–27 loss, leading the Colts to an upset of Green Bay and their first win over Cleveland. He threw nine touchdown passes that year, including one in the season finale that started his record 47-game streak. His 55.6-percent completion mark was a rookie record.
In 1957, his first season as the Colts full-time starter at quarterback, Unitas finished first in the NFL in passing yards (2,550) and touchdown passes (24) as he helped lead the Colts to a 7-5 record, the first winning record in franchise history. At season's end, Unitas was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA).
"Greatest Game Ever Played"[link]
The Colts won the NFL championship under Unitas' leadership on December 28, 1958, by defeating the New York Giants 23–17 in sudden death overtime. It was the first overtime game in NFL history, and is often referred to as the "greatest game ever played". The game, nationally televised by NBC, has been credited for sparking the rise in popularity of professional football during the 1960s. In 1959, Unitas was named the NFL's MVP by the Associated Press (AP) and UPI for the first time, leading the NFL in passing yards (2,899), touchdown passes (32) and completions (193). Unitas then led the Colts to a repeat championship, beating the Giants again 31-16 in the title game.
First MVP in '59[link]
In 1959 Unitas was voted the AP Player of the Year and also the UPI player of the Year. (See: National Football League Most Valuable Player Award) The AP Award was considered the MVP award, adopting that verbiage in 1961. The Associated Press had always called the pre-1961 'Players of the Year"' their MVP until 2008, when it was revealed to them that they had made certain errors in their listings, namely that Jim Brown was the 1958 MVP/Player of the Year rather than Gino Marchetti and that Unitas was the true winner in 1959, not Y.A. Tittle. Rather than correct the winners, the AP "disavowed" that the pre-1961 winners were indeed "MVPs" claiming that it was a different award. Nonetheless, UPI also voted Unitas the top player award and there is little doubt that through sports history "MVP" and "Player of the Year" are terms that are interchangeable.
The '50s become the '60s[link]
As the 1950s turned into the 1960s, the Colts' fortunes (and win totals) declined. Injuries to key players such as Alan Ameche, Raymond Berry and Lenny Moore were a contributing factor to this.[10] Unitas' streak of 47 straight games with at least one touchdown pass ended against the Los Angeles Rams in week 11 of the 1960 season.[11] After three middle-of-the-pack seasons, Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom fired Weeb Ewbank and replaced him with Don Shula, the then-youngest head coach in NFL history (33 years of age when he was hired). The Colts finished 8-6 in Shula's first season at the helm, good enough for only third place in the NFL's Western Conference but they did end the season on a strong note by winning their final three games.[10] The season was very successful for Unitas personally as he led the NFL in passing yards with a career-best total of 3,481 and also led in completions with 237.
Second MVP in '64[link]
The 1964 season would see the Colts return to the top of the Western Conference. After dropping their season opener to the Vikings, the Colts ran off 10 straight victories to finish with a 12-2 record. The season was one of Unitas' best as he finished with 2,824 yards passing, a league-best 9.26 yards per pass attempt, 19 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the AP and UPI for a second time. However, the season would end on a disappointing note for the Colts as they were upset by the Cleveland Browns in the 1964 NFL Championship Game, losing 27-0.
More postseason heartbreak would follow in 1965. The Colts and Packers finished in a tie for first place in the Western Conference and a one-game playoff was played in Green Bay to decide who would be the conference representative in the 1965 NFL Championship Game. The Colts lost in overtime 13-10 due in large part to a game-tying field goal by Don Chandler that many say was incorrectly ruled good. The season had been another fine one for Unitas, as he threw for 2,530 yards, 23 touchdowns and finished with a league-high 97.1 passer rating, but he was lost for the balance of the season due to a knee injury in a week 12 loss to the Bears. Backup quarterback Gary Cuozzo also suffered a season-ending injury the following week and it would be running back Tom Matte who filled in as the emergency QB for the regular-season finale and the playoff loss to the Packers.
Third MVP in '67[link]
After once again finishing 2nd in the Western Conference in 1966, the Colts rebounded to finish 11-1-2 in 1967 tying the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL's best record. In winning his third MVP awards from the AP and UPI in 1967 (and his second from the NEA), Unitas had a league-high 58.5 completion percentage and passed for 3,428 yards and 20 touchdowns.[12] Once again the season ended in heartbreak for the Colts, as they were shut out of the newly instituted four team NFL playoff after losing the divisional tiebreaker to the Rams due to a 34-10 loss to them in the regular season finale.
Super Bowls[link]
In the final game of the 1968 preseason, the muscles in Unitas' arm were torn when he was hit by a member of the Dallas Cowboys defense. Unitas wrote in his autobiography that he felt his arm was initially injured by the use of the "night ball" that the NFL was testing for better TV visibility during night games. He would spend most of the season sitting on the bench. But the Colts still marched to a league-best 13-1 record behind backup quarterback and ultimate 1968 NFL MVP Earl Morrall. Although he was injured through most of the season, Unitas came off the bench to play in Super Bowl III, the famous game wherein Joe Namath guaranteed a New York Jets win despite conventional wisdom. Unitas' insertion was a desperation move in an attempt to retrieve dominance of the NFL over the upstart AFL. Although the Colts finally won an NFL Championship in 1968, they lost the Super Bowl to the AFL Champion, New York Jets. Unitas helped put together the Colts' only score, a touchdown late in the game. Despite not playing until the fourth quarter, Unitas still finished with more passing yards than the team's starter, Morrall.
In 1970, Unitas led the Colts to play in Super Bowl V against the Dallas Cowboys. He was knocked out of the game in the second quarter, after throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass (setting a then-Super Bowl record) that helped lift the team to a 16 to 13 victory.
In 1971 Unitas led the Colts to the AFC Championship game which they lost 21-0 to the Miami Dolphins.
Unitas was involved in only one other head-to-head meeting with "Broadway" Joe Namath after their 1970 regular season meeting (won by the Colts, 29-22, on a day when Namath's wrist was broken on the final play of the game). That last meeting was a memorable one. On September 24, 1972, at Memorial Stadium, Unitas threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, but Namath upstaged him again, bombing the Colts for 496 yards and six touchdowns in a 44-34 Jets victory --- their first over Baltimore since the 1970 merger.[13][14]
San Diego, retirement, and records[link]
One of the most memorable moments in football history came on Unitas's last game in a Colt uniform at Memorial Stadium in a game against Buffalo. Unitas was not starting the game, but the game was a blowout, and the Colts were leading 28-0 when Unitas came on due to the fans chanting "We want Unitas!!!" and a plan devised by the head coach to convince Unitas that the starting quarterback was injured. Unitas came onto the field and proceeded to throw his last pass as a Colt, which was a short pass that the receiver was able to turn into a long touchdown as Baltimore won 35-7.
Unitas was traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1973 but he was far past his prime. He was replaced in mid-season by rookie quarterback Dan Fouts and the Chargers finished the season with a record of 2-11-1. Unitas retired from football in 1974.
Unitas finished his 18 NFL seasons with 2,830 completions in 5,186 passes for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns, with 253 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,777 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Unitas set many passing records during his career. He was the first quarterback to throw for more than 40,000 yards, despite playing during an era when NFL teams played shorter seasons of 12 or 14 games (as opposed to today's 16-game seasons). His 32 touchdown passes in 1959 were a record at the time, making Unitas the first QB to hit the 30 touchdown mark in a season. His 47-game touchdown streak between 1956 and 1960 is a record that still stands and is considered by many the football equivalent of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game baseball hitting streak.[citation needed]
Post-playing days[link]
After his playing days were finished, Unitas settled in Baltimore where he raised his family while also pursuing a career in broadcasting, doing color commentary for NFL games on CBS in the 1970s. After Robert Irsay moved the Colts franchise to Indianapolis in 1984, a move reviled to this day in Baltimore as "Bob Irsay's Midnight Ride," Unitas was so outraged that he cut all ties to the relocated team (though his #19 jersey is still retired by the Colts). Other prominent old-time Colts followed his lead. He asked the Pro Football Hall of Fame on numerous occasions (including on Roy Firestone's Up Close) to remove his display unless it was listed as belonging to the Baltimore Colts. The Hall of Fame has never complied with the request. Unitas donated his Colts memorabilia to the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore; it is now on display in the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards.
Johnny Unitas was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Unitas actively lobbied for another NFL team to come to Baltimore. After the NFL returned to Baltimore in 1996 as the Ravens Unitas and most of the other old-time Colts regarded the Ravens as the true successors to the Baltimore Colts. Unitas was frequently seen on the Ravens' sidelines at home games (most prominently in 1998 when the now-Indianapolis Colts played the Ravens) and received a thunderous ovation every time he was pictured on each of the huge widescreens at M&T Bank Stadium. He was often seen on the 30 yard line on the Ravens side. When the NFL celebrated its first 50 years, Unitas was voted the league's best player. Retired Bears quarterback Sid Luckman said of Unitas, "He was better than me. Better than (Sammy) Baugh. Better than anyone."[citation needed]
Unitas lived most of the final years of his life severely hobbled. Due to an elbow injury suffered during his playing career, he was unable to use his right hand, and could not perform any physical activity more strenuous than golf due to his artificial knees.[15]
Personal life[link]
At the age of 21, Unitas was married by his uncle to his high school sweetheart Dorothy Hoelle on November 20, 1954; they had five children before divorcing. Unitas's second wife was Sandra Lemon, whom he married on June 26, 1972; they had three children and remained married until Unitas's death on September 11, 2002.
Death[link]
On September 11, 2002, Unitas died suddenly of a heart attack while working out at the Kernan Physical Therapy Center in Timonium, Maryland. After his death, many fans of the Baltimore Ravens football team petitioned the renaming of the Ravens' home stadium (owned by the State of Maryland) after Unitas.[citation needed] These requests, however, were unsuccessful since the lucrative naming rights had already been leased by the Ravens to Buffalo, New York M&T Bank. However, a statue of Unitas was erected as the centerpiece of the plaza in front of the Stadium named in Unitas' honor. Large banners depicting the NFL Hall of Famer in his Baltimore Colts heyday flank the entrance to the stadium. Towson University, where Unitas was a major fund-raiser and which his children attended, named its football and lacrosse complex Johnny Unitas Stadium in recognition of both his football career and service to the University.[16]
Toward the end of his life, Unitas brought media attention to the many permanent physical disabilities that he and his fellow players suffered during their careers before heavy padding and other safety features became popular. Unitas himself lost almost total use of his right hand, with the middle finger and thumb noticeably disfigured from being repeatedly broken during games.[17]
He is buried at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium, Maryland.
Legacy[link]
- Unitas held the record for most Pro Bowl appearances (10) by a quarterback until Brett Favre broke his record in 2009.
- Unitas set the original standard for most wins as a starting quarterback with 118 regular season victories (since surpassed by Fran Tarkenton, Dan Marino, John Elway, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady).
- Unitas was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
- 1987 American Football Association Semi Pro Hall of Fame
- Johnny Unitas' #16 is the only number retired by the football program at the University of Louisville.
- Unitas Tower, a dormitory at the University of Louisville, is named for Johnny Unitas.
- A statue of Johnny Unitas sits in the north end zone of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium at the University of Louisville. It is tradition for each Cardinal player to touch the statue as he enters the field.
- Since 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has been awarded to the top senior quarterback of the current year in college football. The award is presented annually in Louisville.
- In 1999, he was ranked No. 5 on "The Sporting News'" list of the The Sporting News - Football's 100 Greatest Players|100 Greatest Football Players,[18] behind only Joe Montana among quarterbacks.
- In 2004, The Sporting News ranked Unitas No. 1 among the NFL's 50 Greatest Quarterbacks, with Joe Montana No. 2.
- In 1999, ESPN's Sportscentury: 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century ranked Unitas #32
- Just before his death, Johnny Unitas became the community liaison for athletics in Towson, Maryland. The football stadium at Towson University was renamed Johnny Unitas Stadium in 2002. Unitas died less than a week after throwing his last pass in the grand opening of the stadium.
- Set the record for consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass at 47 games.[19] This remains unsurpassed as of 2011.[20]
- Set the record for consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes at 12 games. This record was surpassed by Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers with 13.
- Unitas' grandson, J.C. Unitas, was a junior quarterback at Villanova University. He currently attends the University of Tampa.
- Tied with Kurt Warner for most consecutive games with at least a 120 passer rating (4)
Popular culture[link]
- Appeared as a color-commentator in the 1976 Disney film Gus.
- He guest-starred as himself in The Simpsons episode "Homie the Clown" (first aired February 12, 1995). In the episode "Mother Simpson" (first aired November 19, 1995), Grandpa Simpson also refers to Unitas having a "haircut you could set your watch to." Both episodes are directed by David Silverman.
- In 1999, Unitas was an extra in Runaway Bride. He can be seen about 25 minutes into the movie sitting on the bench outside the bakery.
- In 1999, Unitas was featured in the movie Any Given Sunday as the head coach of the fictional Dallas Knights.
- For the game following his death, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning requested to wear a pair of black cleats as a tribute to Johnny's signature black boots. The league denied his request and threatened Manning with a $25,000 fine. Manning decided not to wear them. Ravens QB Chris Redman, a Louisville alum like Unitas, wore the cleats without asking permission and was fined only $5000.[21]
- Stephen Decatur High School named its student commons Johnny Unitas Square.
- In the episode "Space, Geeks, and Johnny Unitas" from Season 1 of The Adventures of Pete and Pete, Pete became obsessed with Unitas.
- Though Unitas never served in the military, Mort Walker gave him an unseen cameo in the comic strip "Beetle Bailey". Beetle asks an intruder, "Who goes there?" When he gets the response "Johnny Unitas", Beetle yells back "Pass"—and is promptly hit in the helmet with a football. (April 30, 1971.)
See also[link]
- List of NFL on CBS commentator pairings
- Most consecutive starts by a quarterback (NFL)
- Most wins by a starting quarterback (NFL)
References[link]
- ^ "Playoffs raise historical stakes". espn.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4838773. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ Mark Bowden (2008). The Best Game Ever. Atlantic Monthly Press. p. 46. ISBN 0-87113-988-X. http://books.google.com/books?id=I2DAZmSu84EC&pg=PA46.
- ^ "Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas dead at 69". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/news/2002/09/11/unitas_obit_ap. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Dan Rooney: My 75 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL, ISBN 0-306-81569-9; p. 62.
- ^ MacCambridge, 2005 pg. 124
- ^ Cavanaugh, 2008 pg. 166
- ^ "Youngster's drive couldn't be sacked". dailypress.com. 2002-10-20. http://www.dailypress.com/news/bal-sp.unitas20oct20,0,3496272.story?page=7&coll=dp-breaking-news. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ "Unitas set the QB gold standard". Pittsburgpost-gazette.com. 2002-09-17. http://www.pittsburgpost-gazette.com/sports/columnists/20020917webfinder0917p1.asp. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ a b sportsecyclopedia.com
- ^ profootballresearchers.org
- ^ "Unitas surprised them all". ESPN Classic. Espn.go.com. http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Unitas_Johnny.html. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1970/
- ^ http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/
- ^ Nack, William. The Wrecking Yard, Sports Illustrated, May 7, 2001, accessed November 23, 2010.
- ^ http://www.patriotleague.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050103aab.html
- ^ "Video". CNN. 2001-05-07. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1022464/2/index.htm.
- ^ "Football's 100 Greatest Players". Archive.sportingnews.com. http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ Joyce, C. Alan (2007-01-05). ""Unbreakable" Sports Records". The World Almanac. http://www.worldalmanac.com/blog/2007/01/unbreakable_sports_records.html. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ Kaberon, Eli (2011-10-08). "Brees streaking up all-time list for touchdown passes". Pro Football Weekly. http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/10/08/brees-streaking-up-all-time-list-for-touchdown-pas. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
- ^ Cory Tinsley. dress code, policies on commemoration, can be ridiculous. Indiana Statesman, September 18, 2002.
Sources[link]
- Bolus, Jim, and Billy Reed. Cardinal Football. Champaign, IL: Sports Pub Inc., 1999.
- Callahan, Tom. Johnny U: the life and times of John Unitas. New York: Crown Publishers, 2006.
- Lazenby, Roland. Johnny Unitas: the best there ever was. Chicago: Triumph Books, 2002.
- Schaap, Dick (1999). "Johnny Unitas: Sunday's Best". In ESPN SportsCentury. Michael MacCambridge, Editor. New York: ESPN-Hyperion Books. pp. 154–65.
- Cavanaugh, Jack (2008), Giants Among Men. New York:Random House. eISBN ISBN 978-1-58836-697-9
- MacCambridge, Michael (2005), America's Game. New York:Anchor Books. eISBN ISBN 978-0-307-48143-6
External links[link]
- Official website
- Johnny Unitas at Pro-Football-Reference.com
- Johnny Unitas at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Johnny Unitas at Find a Grave
- Video NFL Top 100 Players #6
- Obituary
- The Pennsylvania Football News All-Century Team
- Baltimore Colts Mania Tribute to Johnny U
- A Game-by-Game List of Unitas' 47-game touchdown streak from ProFootballHOF.com
- imdb.com entry
- Pictures of John Unitas football cards
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Unitas, Johnny |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | American football player |
| Date of birth | 1933-05-07 |
| Place of birth | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Date of death | 2002-09-11 |
| Place of death | Timonium, Maryland |
http://wn.com/Johnny_Unitas
Related pages:
http://ru.wn.com/Унитас, Джонни
http://fr.wn.com/Johnny Unitas
http://pt.wn.com/Johnny Unitas
http://de.wn.com/Johnny Unitas
http://it.wn.com/Johnny Unitas
http://es.wn.com/Johnny Unitas
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Unitas
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This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
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Robert Lee "Sam" Huff (born October 4, 1934 in Edna Gas, West Virginia) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
Contents |
Early life[link]
Huff was born and grew up in the No. 9 coal mining camp[1] in Edna Gas, West Virginia,[2] The fourth of Oral and Catherine Huff's six children, he lived with his family in a small rowhouse with no running water.[3] Huff grew up during the Great Depression, while his father and two of his brothers worked in the coal mines loading buggies for Consolidated Mining.[4]
Huff attended and played high school football at the now-closed Farmington High School, where he was both an offensive and defensive lineman.[5] While he was there, Huff helped lead the team to an undefeated season in 1951.[6] He earned all-state honors in 1952 and was named to the first-team all-Mason Dixon Conference.[6]
College career[link]
Huff attended and played college football at West Virginia University, where he majored in physical education.[7] He started at guard as a sophomore and tackle the next two years, after winning a letter as a backup guard during his freshman season.[8] He was a four-year letterman and helped lead West Virginia to a combined four-year mark of 31-7 and a berth in the 1954 Sugar Bowl.[8]
In 1955, Huff was voted an All-American[8] and served as co-captain in both the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl.[9]
Professional career[link]
New York Giants (1956 – 1963)[link]
Huff was drafted in the third round of the 1956 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. In training camp, head coach Jim Lee Howell was having a hard time coming up with a position for Huff.[10] Discouraged, Huff left camp but was stopped at the airport by assistant coach Vince Lombardi, who coaxed him back to camp.[10]
Then, defensive coordinator Tom Landry came up with the new 4-3 defensive scheme that he thought would fit Huff perfectly.[4][11] The Giants switched him from the line to middle linebacker behind Ray Beck. Huff liked the position because he could keep his head up and use his superb peripheral vision to see the whole field.[3] On October 7, 1956 in a game against the Chicago Cardinals, Beck was injured and Huff was put into his first professional game. He then helped the Giants win five consecutive games[4] and they finished with a 8–3–1 record, which gave them the Eastern Conference title.[3] New York went on to win the 1956 NFL Championship Game[4] and Huff became the first rookie middle linebacker to start an NFL championship game.[3]
"Landry built the 4-3 defense around me.
It revolutionized defense and opened the
door for all the variations of zones and
man-to-man coverage, which are used
in conjunction with it today."
Sam Huff, on Tom Landry's 4-3 defense.[12]
In 1958, the Giants again won the East and Huff played in the 1958 NFL Championship Game.[3] The championship, which became widely known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played", was the first ever National Football League (NFL) game to go into sudden death overtime.[13] The final score was Baltimore Colts 23, New York Giants 17.[3]
In 1959, Huff and the Giants again went to the NFL Championship Game, which ended in a 31–16 loss to the Colts. Also that year, Huff became the first NFL player to be featured on the cover of Time magazine[8][10] on November 30, 1959. He almost passed up the magazine appearance, demanding money to be interviewed, but relented when Time agreed to give him the cover portrait.[3] Huff was also the subject of an October 31, 1960 CBS Television special, "The Violent World of Sam Huff".,[8][10] broadcast as an episode of the Walter Cronkite anthology series The Twentieth Century. The network wired Huff for sound in practice and in an exhibition game.[3]
"As long as I live, I will never
forgive Allie Sherman for trading me."
The Giants then visited the championship under new coach Allie Sherman in 1961, 1962, 1963, but lost every one of them.[3] To improve what he thought was a defensive problem, Sherman then traded many defensive players, including Cliff Livingston, Rosey Grier, and Dick Modzelewski. After these trades, Huff went to owner Wellington Mara and was assured he would not be traded.[3] But in 1964, Giants head coach Allie Sherman traded Huff to the Washington Redskins for defensive tackle Andy Stynchula and running back Dick James.[3][4] The trade made front-page news in New York and was greeted with jeers from Giants fans, who crowded Yankee Stadium yelling "Huff-Huff-Huff-Huff."[4]
Huff played in four consecutive Pro Bowls with the Giants from 1959 through 1963. He was named most valuable player of the 1961 Pro Bowl.[4]
Washington Redskins (1964–1969)[link]
Huff joined the Redskins in 1964 and they agreed to pay him $30,000 in salary and $5,000 for scouting, compared to the $19,000 he would have made another year with New York.[3] The impact Huff had was almost immediate and the Redskins' defense was ranked second in the NFL in 1965.[14]
On November 27, 1966, Huff and the Redskins beat his former Giant teammates 72–41, in the highest-scoring game in league history.[14] After an ankle injury in 1967 ended his streak of 150 straight games played[14] Huff retired in 1968.[4]
Vince Lombardi talked Huff out of retirement in 1969 when he was named Washington’s head coach.[4] The Redskins went 7-5-2 and had their best season since 1955 (which kept Lombardi's record of never having coached a losing NFL team intact).[15] Huff then retired for good after 14 seasons and 30 career interceptions.[3] He spent one season coaching the Redskins' linebackers in 1970.[14]
After football[link]
Business[link]
Huff invested $75,000 with ESPN to showcase the West Virginia Breeders Classic horse race from Charles Town, West Virginia.[5] The event has now run for over 20 years and has paid for Huff’s original investment several times over.[5]
Huff joined the Marriott Corporation as a salesman in 1971 and worked himself up to vice president of sports marketing before retiring in 1998.[3] He owns a 5 percent stake in the Marriott Hotel in Charleston, West Virginia. It remains the only Marriott in the state.[5]
Commentator[link]
After retiring from football, Huff spent one season as a color commentator for the Giants radio team and then moved on to the same capacity for the Redskins radio network, where he remains to this day, calling games alongside former Redskins teammate Sonny Jurgensen and play-by-play announcer Larry Michael.[8] He was also a broadcaster for a regionally syndicated TV package of Mountaineer football games in the mid-1980s.[8]
Honors[link]
In 1982, Huff became just the second WVU player to be inducted into both the College and Pro football Halls of Fame.[8] In 1988, he was inducted into the WVU School of Physical Education Hall of Fame and, in 1991 he was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame.[8]
In 1999, Huff was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame[6] and was ranked number 76 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.[16]
In 2001, Huff was ranked number six on Sports Illustrated's list of West Virginia's 50 Greatest Athletes.[17] On November 24, 2005, Huff's uniform number 75 was retired by West Virginia University.
Horse breeding[link]
In 1986 Huff began breeding Thoroughbred racehorses at Sporting Life Farm in Middleburg, Virginia. His filly, Bursting Forth, won the 1998 Matchmaker Handicap. He is currently the Co-President of Golden Dreams Riding center in Middleburg, Virginia.
Politics[link]
In 1970, Huff ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives,[5] but lost in the West Virginia Democratic primary[3] against Bob Mollahan by more than 19,000 votes.[4]
Personal[link]
Huff is divorced from Mary Helen Fletcher. They have three children, Robert Lee ("Sam") Huff Jr., Catherine Ann, J.D. and three grandchildren Nicholas, Mary Carmen and Robert Lee ("Bobby") Huff III.[7]
References[link]
- ^ "Coal Miners--an essay". Appalachian Blacksmiths Association. http://www.appaltree.net/aba/coalminers.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
- ^ "Mountaineer Flashback - Sam Huff". WTRF-TV. http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=32016. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "The Violent World". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/bio/news/story?page=Huff_Sam. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Profile: Sam Huff". WVU Varsity Club. http://wvuvarsityclub.com/profiles/huff_sam.html. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
- ^ a b c d e "Farmington’s Sam Huff went from zero to hero". Times West Virginian. http://www.timeswv.com/sportscentral/local_story_103012805.html. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
- ^ a b c "National High School Hall of Fame". National Federation of State High School Associations. Archived from the original on 2008-06-17. http://web.archive.org/web/20080617184521/http://www.nfhs.org/web/2004/01/athletes_hm.aspx. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
- ^ a b "A Man's Game". Time Magazine. 1959-11-30. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,825995,00.html. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Robert "Sam" Huff: Academy of Distinguished Alumni". West Virginia University. http://alumni.wvu.edu/awards/academy/1990/robert_huff/. Retrieved 2008-06-28. [dead link]
- ^ "Sam Huff's College HOF profile". College Football Hall of Fame. http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=50085. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
- ^ a b c d "Sam Huff's Pro Football HOF profile". Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=102. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- ^ "Building America's Team". Dallas Morning News. http://www.cowboysplus.com/classic/webspecials/landry/landrybuild.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- ^ "Describing 'The Innovator'". The Sporting News. http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/landry/quotes.html. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- ^ "Greatest game ever played". Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=1805. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ a b c d "Flashback: Huff Changed the NFL Game". Washington Redskins. Archived from the original on 2008-07-10. http://web.archive.org/web/20080710113706/http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=36423. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ "Redskins History: 1960". Washington Redskins. Archived from the original on 2008-06-13. http://web.archive.org/web/20080613202828/http://www.redskins.com/team/history-history.jsp#1960. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ "Football's 100 Greatest Players". Sporting News. http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/76.html. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
- ^ "W.Va.'s 50 Greatest Athletes". WVSPN. http://www.sportsmediainc.net/wvspn/index.cfm?func=showarticle&newsid=78. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
External links[link]
- Sam Huff at Pro-Football-Reference.com
- Sam Huff at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Sam Huff Q&A
- Images of Sam Huff's football cards
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| Persondata | |
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| Name | Huff, Sam |
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| Short description | American football player |
| Date of birth | 1934-10-04 |
| Place of birth | Edna Gas, West Virginia |
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| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Sam_Huff
Related pages:
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This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
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Career information
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Career history
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Career highlights and awards
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Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Indianapolis Colts for 14 seasons from 1998–2011. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and an elder brother of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Manning played college football at the University of Tennessee, leading the Volunteers to the 1997 SEC Championship in his senior season. He was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. From 1998 to 2010, he led the Colts to seven AFC South division championships, two AFC championships, and to a Super Bowl championship (Super Bowl XLI). He has won a record four league most valuable player awards,[1] was the most valuable player of Super Bowl XLI, has been named to eleven Pro Bowls, has eleven 4,000-yard passing seasons (including a record six straight),[2][3] and is the Indianapolis Colts' all-time leader in passing yards (54,828) and touchdown passes (399). In 2009, he was named the best player in the NFL[2][3] and Fox Sports along with Sports Illustrated named him the NFL player of the decade of the 2000s.
In May 2011, he underwent neck surgery to alleviate neck pain and arm weakness he dealt with during the previous few seasons before signing a five-year, $90 million contract extension with the Colts in July 2011. Manning had hoped to play in the 2011 season, but in September 2011, he underwent a much more serious second surgery: a level one cervical fusion procedure. Manning had never missed an NFL game in his career, but was forced to miss the entire 2011 season. He was released by the Colts on March 7, 2012, and after an almost two-week period where he visited with and worked out for several NFL teams, he signed with the Denver Broncos on March 20, 2012.
Manning's pre-snap routine is one of the most recognizable and parodied in sports.[4] The Indianapolis Colts' almost exclusive use of the hurry-up offense led to Manning using an array of gestures and verbal commands to call the play at the line of scrimmage rather than in the huddle.
Contents
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High school career[link]
Manning attended Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He led his team to a 34–5 record during three seasons as starter. He was named Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player-of-the-Year and Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Offensive Player-of-the-Year in 1993.
College career[link]
Manning stunned many when he chose to attend the University of Tennessee instead of Ole Miss, his father's alma mater.[5] He became Tennessee's all-time leading passer with 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns and won 39 of 45 games as a starter, breaking the Southeastern Conference (SEC) record for career wins.[6][7]
As a freshman, Manning was the third-string quarterback, but injuries to Todd Helton and Jerry Colquitt forced him to take over the Mississippi State game, a 24–21 loss. In his first start, the following week against Washington State, the Vols won, 10–9, and the Vols won all but one of their remaining games, finishing the season 8–4 with a 45–23 victory over Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl.[8][9][10]
Manning and the Vols started off the 1995 season with victories over East Carolina and Georgia, before heading off to Gainesville to play the Gators.[11] Against Florida, he threw for 326 yards and 2 touchdowns, leading the Vols to a 30–21 halftime lead. However, the Gators outscored the Vols 41–7 in the second half, winning 62–37.[12] This was the Vols' only loss of the season, as they won their remaining 8 regular season games, including a 41–14 win over Alabama and then defeated Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl.[13][14] The Vols ended the season ranked third and Manning came in sixth in Heisman Trophy voting.[15]
The Vols opened the 1996 season ranked second behind Nebraska and one of the favorites to win the national championship.[16] However, after winning their first 2 games against UNLV and UCLA, the Vols again lost to Florida 35–29, with Manning throwing 4 interceptions.[17] After winning their next four games, the Vols were upset by Memphis, despite Manning passing for 296 yards.[18] The Vols won the remainder of their games, including a 48–28 win in the Citrus Bowl over Northwestern, a game in which Manning passed for 408 yards and 4 touchdowns; he was named the game's MVP.[19][20]
Manning completed his degree in three years, and was projected to be the top overall pick in the NFL Draft, but returned to Tennessee for his senior year.[21] In his senior season, the Vols opened the season with victories against Texas Tech and UCLA, but for the third time in his career, Manning fell to Florida 33–20.[22][23][24] The Vols won the rest of their regular season games, finishing 10–1, and advanced to the SEC Championship game against Auburn. Down 20–7, Manning led the Vols to a 30–29 victory. Throwing for 4 touchdowns, he was named the game's MVP, but injured himself in the process.[25][26] The 3rd-ranked Vols were matched-up with 2nd-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl; if Tennessee won and top-ranked Michigan lost to Washington State in the Rose Bowl, the Vols would win the national championship.[27] However, the Vols' defense could not stop Nebraska's rushing attack, giving up over 400 rushing yards in a 42–17 loss.[28] As a senior, Manning won numerous awards; he was a consensus first-team All-American, the Maxwell Award winner, the Davey O'Brien Award winner, the Johnny Unitas Award winner, and the Best College Player ESPY award winner, among others; however, he did not win the Heisman, finishing runner-up to Charles Woodson.[29][30][31] In 2005, Tennessee retired Manning's number (#16).[32] One of the streets leading to Neyland Stadium has been renamed Peyton Manning Pass. Manning was elected to Phi Beta Kappa Society in 1997.
Professional career[link]
Indianapolis Colts[link]
1998 season: Rookie season[link]
"To me, he's the greatest of all time. He's a friend of mine, and someone that I always watch and admire, because he always wants to improve, he always wants to get better, and he doesn't settle for anything less than the best. So, when you watch the best and you're able to learn from the best, hopefully that helps me get better."
Manning was selected first overall in the 1998 draft by the Indianapolis Colts.[34] In his rookie season, he passed for 3,739 yards with 26 touchdowns, set five different NFL rookie records, including most touchdown passes in a season, and was named to the NFL All-Rookie First Team.[35][36][37] Manning's first win came against fellow rookie quarterback Ryan Leaf, 17–12 over the Chargers.[38] Weeks later, Manning faced off against Steve Young; he threw three touchdowns, tying a Colts rookie record, but the 49ers kicked a late field goal to win 34–31.[39] In November against the Jets, Manning threw for three touchdowns in a 24–23 win; he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this performance. It was the first game-winning drive of Manning's career, as he hit Marcus Pollard with the game-winning TD pass.[36][40] Manning was certainly a bright spot in 1998 for the Colts, but he also threw a league high 28 interceptions as the team struggled to a 3–13 record with a defense that gave up more than 27 points per game. The Colts lost many close games, including five games in which they had led by double-digits at some point.[41][42]
1999-2001[link]
The Colts opened the 1999 season with a 31–14 victory over Buffalo, but gave up a 28–7 lead the following week against the Patriots and lost.[43][44] After defeating San Diego 27–19 in a game in which Manning threw for over 400 yards, and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for they lost again, to Miami.[36][45][46] The Colts responded by winning 11 of their remaining 12 games, finishing 13–3 and the AFC East champions. The 10 game turnaround from the previous year set an NFL record.[47] As the second seed in the AFC, the Colts earned a first round bye, and faced Tennessee in the playoffs. The Colts lost 19–16 to the Super Bowl bound Titans and Manning was limited to one touchdown run.[48] Manning finished the year with 4,135 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns, and was named both Second-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl, both firsts for him.[35][49] In the Pro Bowl, he passed for 270 yards with 2 touchdowns.[50]
The Colts started the 2000 season inconsistently. Following an opening week victory against Kansas City, they blew a 21–0 lead against the Raiders.[51][52] The Colts responded with a Monday Night victory against Jacksonville, a 43–14 win in which Manning threw for 430 yards and 4 touchdowns; Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this performance.[36][53] The Colts won 4 of their next 5 games, including one against New England in which Manning posted the first perfect passer rating of his career, but then lost 4 of the 5 games following that. The Colts regained their momentum, winning their final 3 games, including a 31–10 win over Minnesota on Week 17. Manning threw for 4 touchdowns in the win and was again named AFC Offensive Player of the Week and the win gave the Colts a 10–6 record as well as a wild card spot in the playoffs.[36][54][55] In the wild card game, the Colts fell to the Dolphins 23–17 in overtime. Manning passed for 194 yards and a touchdown in the loss.[56] He finished the season with 4,413 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns and was named Second-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl.[35] At the Pro Bowl, Manning threw two touchdown passes.[57][58]
Manning and the Colts introduced their now-signature no-huddle offense, and used it to great effect in a Week 1 rout of the Jets, 45–24.[59] Two weeks later (Week two games were not played as scheduled due to the 9/11 attacks, the Colts advanced to 2–0 with a win over Buffalo, behind Manning's 421 yards passing.[60] He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game.[36] However, the Colts lost the following week to New England, and continued their slide, losing their following two games.[61] The Colts briefly rebounded, winning two games, but then lost 7 of their last 9, including a 40–21 home loss to the 49ers.[62] After Manning threw a career-high four interceptions in that game, coach Jim Mora uttered his infamous "Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me. Playoffs? I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game" press conference.[63] Despite the 6–10 record, Manning finished the season with 4,131 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and 4 rushing touchdowns as the offense produced the second most points in the league. However, the defense allowed the most points and Jim Mora was fired after the season.[35]
2002 season[link]
Tony Dungy would become Manning's second head coach in the NFL. The Colts started off the 2002 season 4–1, before a 3 game losing streak sent them to 4–4. The Colts responded by winning all but two of their remaining games, including a 35–13 upset of the Eagles in which Manning had a perfect passer rating for the second time in his career, giving them a 10–6 record and a spot in the playoffs.[64] However, the Colts were pummeled by the Jets in the Wild Card game, 41–0, with Manning passing for only 137 yards.[65] He finished the year with 4,200 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl team.[35] In the Pro Bowl, Manning completed five of eleven passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.[66]
2003 season: First MVP[link]
The 2003 Colts began the season 5–0, including a 55–21 blowout of the Saints in which Manning played his third perfect passer rating game and threw a career-high six TD passes, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.[36] On Monday Night Football against the defending champion Buccaneers, Manning and the Colts trailed 35–14 in the final five minutes. After one short TD drive, the Colts recovered the onside kick. Manning threw a 28 yard TD pass to Marvin Harrison on 4th & 6 to make it 35–28. With 1:41 remaining, Manning got the ball back and drove the offense 85 yards for the game-tying TD. He set up the winning 29 yard field goal in overtime for a stunning 38–35 win. It was the first and only time in NFL history a team won a game after trailing by 21 points in the final 4 minutes of regulation. Manning passed for 386 yards in the game.[67]
After an overtime loss to Carolina, the Colts won all but three of their remaining games, finishing 12–4.[68] On November 30 the Colts hosted the 9–2 Patriots in what would be the beginning of the NFL's top rivalry of the 2000s. The Colts trailed 31–10 late in the third quarter before Manning threw three TD passes in a span of six minutes to tie the game. Trailing 38–34 in the final minutes, the Colts had 3 plays at the 1-yard line to try and score the winning TD. Edgerrin James was stuffed on 4th down by Willie McGinest and the Patriots won.[69] In a Week 14 win against Atlanta, Manning threw for five touchdowns and was named player of the week a second time.[36][70] He also earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for the month of October.[36]
In the Wild Card playoff round Manning and the Colts defeated the Denver Broncos 41–10, his first playoff win. He passed for 377 yards and 5 touchdowns in the game, earning him a perfect passer rating, his second of the season and the fourth of his career.[71] After the game, Manning was awarded Player of the Week honors for the third time that season.[36] In the divisional playoffs, Manning led the Colts to a 38–31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Neither team punted in the game.[72] In the AFC title game Manning was shut down by the New England Patriots top-ranked defense and posted the third lowest passer rating of his career at 35.5. The Patriots defense intercepted Manning four times and sacked him another four, as the Colts lost the game 24–14.[73][74]
During the season, Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September and was named the AP NFL co-MVP along with Titans quarterback Steve McNair.[36][75] Manning also received the ESPY Award for Best NFL Player.[30] Manning led the league with 4,267 passing yards and threw 29 touchdowns; he was named first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl.[35][76] He passed for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Pro Bowl, a 55–52 loss.[77]
2004 season: Second MVP[link]
The 2004 Colts opened the season with a 27–24 loss to the Patriots, after Mike Vanderjagt missed a game tying field goal in the closing seconds of the game.[78] The Colts won their next four games including a 45–31 win over Green Bay in which Manning threw 5 touchdowns, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, but then lost their next two games, to Jacksonville and Kansas City, despite Manning throwing for 840 yards combined in the two games.[36][79][80][81] The Colts responded well, winning their next 8 games before losing their final regular season game to Denver, a game in which Manning played only the first series.[82] During the month of November, Manning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice; once for his 5 touchdown performance in a 49–14 blowout of Houston and once for his performance in a 41–9 win at Detroit on Thanksgiving in which he threw 6 touchdowns in less than three quarters.[83][84] Due to his performances in November, Manning earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors.[36] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for a fourth time in the week 16 game against San Diego[36] where he led the Colts to a 34–31 victory after trailing by fifteen in the fourth quarter. With the Colts facing a 4th & 4 at their own 26, Manning waved the punt team off the field and completed a 19 yard pass to Reggie Wayne for the first down. He finished the drive with a 21 yard TD pass to Brandon Stokley, his 49th TD pass of the season, breaking Dan Marino's record of 48. After the two point conversion to tie, Manning got the ball first in overtime and set up the winning field goal. The Colts clinched the AFC's third seed with the win.[85]
During the season, Manning threw for 4,557 yards, had a record 121.1 passer rating and a then-record 49 touchdown passes.[35][86] He was selected as the 2004 NFL MVP drawing 49 of 50 votes, was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year and was named the Best NFL Player at the ESPY Awards for the second consecutive year; Manning also received the ESPY Award for Best Record-Breaking Performance for his 49 touchdown passes.[30][75] The Colts finished the season with a 12–4 record and their second straight AFC South title.[87] Three Colts receivers had 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns that season, also a record. Sports statistics site Football Outsiders calculates that Manning had the best season ever by a quarterback, play-for-play, in 2004.[88][89]
In the Wild Card game against Denver, Manning passed for 458 yards and 4 touchdowns.[90] However, the Colts' 2004 season ended in Foxborough for a second straight year with a 20–3 loss against New England, when Manning recorded a season-low passer rating of 69.3. It was Manning's seventh consecutive loss to the Patriots in Foxborough and the Colts' three points were their lowest single game point total since their opening game of the 2003 season.[91] Manning was named a Pro Bowl starter; in the Pro Bowl, he threw 3 touchdowns in a 38–27 victory and was named the game's MVP.[92] Manning was also a unanimous first-team All-Pro selection.[93]
2005 season[link]
In 2005, the Colts had a greatly improved defense over that of recent years. Combining this with their offense, they won their first 13 games, including a 40–21 rout of the two-time defending Super Bowl Champions, New England. This was Manning's first road win against the Patriots in 8 attempts, and his 3 touchdowns passes earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.[36][94] By week 15, the Colts had a perfect 13–0 record, and had secured the AFC South and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Nevertheless, Tony Dungy made the decision to play all of his regular starters against the Chargers. However, the Colts played a sub-par game against the Chargers and fell short of the win; the score was 26–17.[95] Manning finished the season with 3,747 passing yards, the first time he had thrown for under 4,000 yards since his rookie season of 1998, largely because Manning sat out much of the final two games with the top AFC seed clinched. His quarterback rating of 104.1 was the highest in the league for the season.[35]
In the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers visited the RCA Dome for the second AFC divisional playoff game of the 2005 season. In the 4th quarter with only a few minutes left in the game, Manning threw what looked to be the game-ending interception to Troy Polamalu, but the interception was overturned (a call the NFL later admitted was incorrect).[96] The Colts went on to score, and were able to get the ball back down three points near the end of the game. On 4th down, Manning was sacked near his own goal line, and the game seemed to be over as the Steelers were one yard from a touchdown. On the next play, the ball was fumbled by Jerome Bettis and picked up by Colts defender Nick Harper who appeared to have a clear path down the sideline for what might have been the game-winning score. However, Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger managed to dive in front of Harper and tackle him by the leg, saving a touchdown. Then the Colts drove down the field to the Steelers 27 yard line, before Mike Vanderjagt missed a field goal as time ran out.[97]
Manning came in second in voting for the MVP award to Shaun Alexander ending his streak at two years.[98] He was named the 2005 winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and nominated for the FedEx Air Player of the Year Award, along with Tom Brady and Carson Palmer.[99] Manning was also named first-team All-Pro for the third consecutive year and named to the Pro Bowl squad; in the Pro Bowl, he threw one touchdown pass and three interceptions.[100][101]
2006 season: Super Bowl championship[link]
Manning opened the 2006 season against his brother Eli's New York Giants on Sunday Night Football (the first "Manning Bowl"). It was the first NFL game with starting quarterbacks that were brothers, and Peyton's team won 26–21.[102] Manning passed for 400 yards against the Texans in a 43–24 victory, which earned him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors (he also won the award for his 345 yards and 4 TD passes against the Redskins in week 7). A second trip to New York, this time to play the Jets, produced another Colts win. After taking the lead twice in the fourth quarter, Manning had to lead a third scoring drive, this time finishing with a 1-yard QB sneak rushing TD in the last minute for a 31–28 win.[103]
At Denver, Manning again led three scoring drives in the fourth quarter in a 34–31 shootout win. He completed 32 of 39 passes for 345 yards and 3 TDs.[104] Following a second straight season with a win at New England, then a home win against Buffalo, the Colts were the NFL's last unbeaten team at 9–0. Their first loss would come in Dallas. Plagued by a run defense that would allow over 100 yards in every game, the Colts were 11–4 heading into their final game.[105] Against Miami, Manning threw for 282 yards, 2 TDs and rushed for another TD. The Colts won 27–22, were AFC South division champions, and clinched the third seed in the AFC playoffs. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. He ended the regular season with 4,397 passing yards and a league-leading 31 touchdown passes. His passer rating (101.0) was the highest in the league for the third year in a row.[35] Manning helped the offense set a NFL record for third down conversion rate in a season (56.1%).[106]
Despite three interceptions, Manning completed 30 out of 38 passes as the Colts beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card playoff game by a score of 23–8.[107] The following week they were limited to five field goals and no touchdowns, but defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 15–6.[108] In the AFC Championship game against the rival Patriots, the Colts trailed 14–3 when Manning threw an interception that was returned for a TD by Asante Samuel to give New England a 21–3 lead. Manning led the Colts to 32 points in the second half for a 38–34 victory, the final score coming late in the fourth quarter as Manning led the Colts on an 80-yard TD drive to take the lead for the first time in the game. He finished the game with 349 yards passing and two touchdowns (1 rushing). The comeback was the largest deficit ever overcome in a conference championship.[109]
Manning led the Colts to a 29–17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI and was voted Super Bowl MVP.[110] Manning, who had been criticized for failing to win big games, exorcised his big-game demons with the win. "In years' past when our team's come up short, it's been disappointing," he told reporters. "Somehow we found a way to have learned from some of those losses and we've been a better team because of it."[111] For his role in the Colts' championship run, Manning was awarded the ESPY for Best Championship Performance.[112] Manning was again named to the Pro Bowl and was also named Second-team All-Pro; in the Pro Bowl he played only two series, passing for 67 yards.[35][113][114] Following the Super Bowl win, Manning agreed to restructure his contract to save the Colts $8.2 million in salary cap space.[115]
2007-2008[link]
Manning's Colts opened the NFL season with 7 wins, pitting them against an undefeated Patriots squad in a match-up that was being called "Super Bowl 41.5". Manning and Addai helped the Colts to a 13–7 half-time lead, and an early fourth quarter touchdown upped the lead to 20–10. However, Brady led the Patriots to two late touchdowns, to hand Manning his first loss of the season, 24–20. Manning finished the game with 225 yards passing, including a passing touchdown. He also had a rushing touchdown.[116]
Manning did not bounce back from the loss well. Against the San Diego Chargers he threw for a career-worst and franchise-record 6 interceptions. Despite this, he was able to rally the Colts from a 23–0 deficit to 23–21, and gave Adam Vinatieri an opportunity to take the lead with a 29-yard field goal. Vinatieri's miss sunk the Colts to 7–2. Manning did not play particularly well against the Kansas City Chiefs either, throwing no touchdowns. However, he managed to lead the Colts on a late drive for a game-winning field goal, rushing for two yards on 4th and 1 in the process. Manning finished the game with 163 passing yards, allowing him to overtake 40,000 in his career.[117] The victory was Manning's 100th.[118] The Colts won their next 5 games, securing yet another AFC South title, as well as the AFC's number two seed in the play-offs.[119] In the final game of the regular season, Manning played only two series before being replaced with back-up Jim Sorgi; the Colts lost the game to the Titans, 16–10.[3] Manning finished the season with 4,040 passing yards, 31 touchdown passes, and a quarterback rating of 98.0.[35] In the divisional round of the playoffs, Manning and the Colts lost to the Chargers, 28–24. Manning helped the Colts to 4 different leads but could not lead a final touchdown drive for the win. Manning finished the game with 402 yards passing and 3 passing touchdowns.[120] Peyton was widely viewed during Super Bowl XLII as he cheered on brother Eli and the New York Giants in their upset of the New England Patriots. Manning was named a Pro Bowl starter and passed for 147 yards and a touchdown in three series.[121]
On July 14, 2008, Manning had surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee.[122] Manning, who had worn a knee brace due to problems since he was in college, sat out all four preseason games and missed most of training camp.
In the first regular season game at new Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts lost 29–13 to the Chicago Bears. The following week they fell behind 15–0 to the Minnesota Vikings in the 2nd half before rallying to win the game on Adam Vinatieri's 47 yard field goal. Manning passed for 311 yards as the Colts avoided their first 0–2 start since Manning's rookie season.[123] Week 3 matched the Colts with division rival Jacksonville. Manning threw 2 interceptions in the game, including one that was returned for a TD by Rashean Mathis. Jacksonville rushed for 236 yards and held the ball for over 41 minutes. Still, trailing by 6 late in the game Manning led the Colts on a 77-yard TD drive to take a 21–20 lead. Jacksonville kicker Josh Scobee made a 51 yard field goal to win the game and drop the Colts to 1–2.[124]
For the third week in a row, Manning used the 4th quarter to bring the Colts back from a 27–10 deficit in the last 5 minutes against the Houston Texans to a 31–27 victory. It was the first time an NFL team had won a game in regulation after trailing by 17 points in the last 5 minutes.[125] Manning threw a 7 yard TD pass on 4th & 6 to rookie tight end Tom Santi to make the deficit 27–17. Houston QB Sage Rosenfels, starting for the injured Matt Schaub, then fumbled the ball on a scramble, and it was returned 68 yards for a TD by Gary Brackett. After another Rosenfels fumble, Manning threw the 5-yard game-winning TD pass to Reggie Wayne. The Colts scored 3 TDs in 2:10.[126]
On October 12 Manning led the Colts to a 31–3 blow out win at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens to avoid their first 0–3 start at home since 1997. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the 17th time in his career for his effort of 3 TD passes and 271 yards passing.[127] It was revealed during the game by CBS commentators Jim Nantz and Phil Simms that Manning had a second surgery on his knee before the season started. Colts coach Tony Dungy confirmed this report the day after the Baltimore game.[128]
The Colts suffered their largest margin of defeat, 34–14, in Green Bay the following week. Manning threw 2 interceptions that were returned for touchdowns (2nd time in career; 1st was 9/30/01 vs. New England Patriots).[129][130] The next week the Colts went into Tennessee on Monday Night Football to face the 6–0 Titans. They led 14–6 in the 3rd quarter, but Tennessee scored 25 unanswered for a 31–21 victory and almost assured the Colts they would not win the AFC South division title for the first time in 6 seasons.[131] At 3–4 the Colts opened up November with their annual showdown against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football. The game lacked the luster the rivalry has carried, as there was no Tom Brady, no undefeated season on the line, and neither team was in 1st place of their division. Still, the game was close all the way. Tied at 15 in the 4th quarter, Manning set up Adam Vinatieri for a 52 yard field goal that proved to be the winning points in an 18–15 victory. Manning completed 21 of 29 passes for 254 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions.[132] The Colts were 4–4 halfway through the season and still alive in the AFC playoff race.
In week 10 the Colts traveled to Pittsburgh, who had the league's #1 defense. They trailed 17–7 in the 2nd quarter before Manning found Dallas Clark for a 2-yard TD to end the half 17–14. Down 20–17 in the 4th quarter, Manning found Dominic Rhodes uncovered for a 17 yard TD pass that would put the Colts up 24–20 for the rest of the game. It was Manning's 4th game-winning drive (35th of his career) this season. He completed 21 of 40 for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns (the 50th game of his career with 3+ TD passes). It was the first time the Colts have won in Pittsburgh since 1968 (12 straight losses before this win).[133] Against Houston, Manning passed for 320 yards and 2 TDs while leading 5 consecutive scoring drives in a 33–27 victory, the third in a row for the Colts.[134] Manning won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the 2nd time this season (18th time, career)[135]
At San Diego, Manning threw for 255 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT in a 23–20 victory. The interception snapped a career-best streak of 140 pass attempts without an interception. After the Chargers rallied from a 10 point deficit in the 4th to tie the game, Manning led the game-winning drive by completing a 14 yard pass to Marvin Harrison on 4th and inches at midfield. Adam Vinateri kicked the winning 51 yard field goal three plays later. It was Manning's 5th game-winning drive this season.[136] Manning passed for a season-low 125 yards at Cleveland, but the Colts won their 5th straight game, by a final of 10–6.[137]
In a 35–3 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, Manning threw 3 TD passes while completing 26 of 32 passes for 277 yards. It marked the 11th straight season Manning had thrown at least 20 TD passes, the 2nd longest streak ever.[138] Against the 0–13 Detroit Lions, the Colts found themselves in a 21–21 game in the 4th quarter. Manning led his 6th game-winning drive of the season and the Colts pulled away 31–21. It marked their 7th straight win, 7th straight season with 10+ wins, and they became the only team in NFL history to have a winning streak of at least 7 games in 5 straight seasons. Manning completed 28 of 37 passes for 318 yards and 1 TD.[139]
Needing a win to clinch the 5th seed in the playoffs, Manning had one of his best career performances in Jacksonville on Thursday Night Football. He completed his first 17 passes of the game. In addition to completing his last 6 against Detroit, Manning's 23 straight completions fell one shy of the NFL record (Donovan McNabb – 24). The Colts trailed 14–0 in the first half and 24–14 to start the 4th quarter. Manning led his 7th 4th quarter win of the season and the Colts put the game away with a defensive TD for a 31–24 victory to clinch a 7th consecutive playoff berth. Manning completed 29 of 34 passes (85.7%) for 364 yards and 3 TDs. It increased his NFL record streak of seasons with 25 TD passes to 11. Manning and the Colts tied a NFL record by winning 3 games in a season in which they trailed by at least 14 points.[140] For his efforts Manning won AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in 2008. It was the 19th time he has won the award, passing Dan Marino for the most all-time since the award was originated in 1984.[141] He also was selected as the FedEx Air Player of the Week. With the playoff seed secured, Manning only played the opening drive in a shutout against the division-leading Titans in Week 17. He completed all 7 of his passes for 95 yards and a TD, extending his NFL record to nine seasons with 4000 yards passing, and also extended the record to a sixth straight season he led the Colts to at least 12 wins.[142] At the end of the 2008 season, Manning was named NFL MVP for the 3rd time, tying Brett Favre for the most MVP awards in NFL history.
The day following the MVP award, the Colts played their 2007 nemesis, the Chargers, in their wild-card playoff game. Down 14–10 at the half, Manning put the Colts ahead 17–14 in the third quarter as he completed a 72-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne. But the Chargers tied the game in the fourth quarter as kicker Nate Kaeding nailed a 22-yard field goal. When San Diego won the coin toss, they scored on the first possession, ending the Colts season.
2009 season: Fourth MVP and second Super Bowl appearance[link]
File:Peyton Manning huddle.jpg
Manning and his teammates in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Under new head coach Jim Caldwell, Manning started the 2009 season with a victory by throwing for 301 yards.[143] In week two Manning led his 29th fourth quarter comeback (38th game-winning drive) by throwing for 303 yards and 2 TD passes, despite only having the ball for 14:53, the lowest time of possession for a winning team in the NFL since they began tracking the statistic in 1977.[144] Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for the fourth time in his career in September.[145] Against the Seattle Seahawks Manning passed for 353 yards and 2 TDs for his fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game set a new franchise record.[146]
Against Houston Texans in week 9 he became the first quarterback to pass for over 40,000 yards in a decade. He threw a career-high 25 passes in the 1st quarter (most in any opening quarter since 1991), and had a career-high 40 pass attempts in the first half. He set a franchise record for most 300 yard passing games in a season with his seventh 300-yard effort of the season (also a NFL record through the first 8 games of a season [147]). Against Houston 3 weeks later Manning claimed his 34th comeback win in the 4th quarter, tying him with John Elway and Johnny Unitas for the second most in NFL history.[148] On week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars Manning won his 23rd consecutive regular season game breaking Jim McMahon's NFL record of 22 straight wins with the Chicago Bears from 1984–87.[149] At the end of the regular season Manning was awarded his fourth MVP, breaking the NFL record for most MVPs by a single player. He was also selected to the AP All-Pro team for the fifth time in his career.[150]
In the AFC Divisional against the Baltimore Ravens Manning threw 2 TD passes late in the first half to build a 17–3 halftime lead. He completed 30 passes for 246 yards in leading his eight straight victory over the Ravens.[151] In the AFC Championship against New York Jets Manning overcame a 17–6 deficit late in the second quarter to lead the Colts to 24 unanswered points in a 30–17 win. The 11 point comeback was the third largest in a championship game. Manning set a playoff record with his seventh 300 yard passing game in the postseason.[152] In Super Bowl XLIV against New Orleans Saints, Manning led the Colts to a 10–0 lead after their two first quarter drives, throwing a TD pass to Pierre Garcon to cap off a 96 yard drive (tied for longest in Super Bowl history). After running just six plays in the second quarter, the Colts led 10–6 at halftime. The Saints recovered an onside kick to start the second half and took their first lead, 13–10. Manning led a go ahead TD drive to regain the lead. Leading 17–16 at the start of the 4th quarter, Matt Stover missed a 51 yard field goal for the Colts. The Saints scored the go ahead TD and two-point conversion to take a 24–17 lead with 5:42 left. Manning took over and moved the Colts to the Saints' 31 yard line. Facing a 3rd & 5 with 3:24 left, his pass intended for Reggie Wayne was intercepted by Tracy Porter, who returned it 74 yards for a critical TD and 31–17 Saints lead. Manning drove the Colts down to the 5 yard line in the last minute, but his 4th & goal pass was dropped by Reggie Wayne at the goal line. The Saints won their first Super Bowl, dropping Manning to 9–9 in the postseason (1–1 Super Bowl record). Manning passed for 333 yards on 31/45, with 1 TD and 1 interception.[153]
2010 season[link]
In a season-opening loss in Houston, Manning set career highs in pass attempts (57) and completions (40), throwing for 3 TDs and 433 yards, the fourth highest opening-weekend total ever.[154] In his third game Manning passed for 325 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions, marking the first time since 1960 a QB began a season with three consecutive games of at least 3 TD passes and zero interceptions.[155][156] Against the Kansas City Chiefs Manning failed to throw a TD for the first time in 2010, but led the Colts on a game-winning drive in the 4th quarter (45th of his career) to hand the Chiefs their first loss of the season.[157] In week 6 against the Washington Redskins he passed for 307 yards and 2 TDs. Including the playoffs, that was 68 career games with 300+ yards passing, moving him ahead of Dan Marino (67) for the most in NFL history.[158] Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles marked his 200th consecutive regular season start.[159]
Against the New England Patriots Manning passed for 396 yards, 4 TDs and 3 interceptions, the 22nd time Manning threw 4 TDs in a game and breaking a tie with Dan Marino for second-most all-time.[160] The next week was resulted in the largest margin of defeat at home in his NFL career, 36–14 to the San Diego Chargers.[161] Against the Tennessee Titans he went over 4000 yards passing for the 11th time in a season, and tied Dan Marino with his 63rd regular season game with 300+ yards passing. Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for this game.[162] The Colts ended up winning the AFC South for the seventh time in eight years, and Manning became the first QB in NFL history to lead his team to nine consecutive postseason berths (2002–2010). It was the 208th consecutive regular season start of his career, breaking Gene Upshaw's record. For the season, Manning finished with a NFL record 450 completions on 679 attempts (2nd most in history), and a career-high 4700 yards passing.[163] The season ended in a one point defeat to the New York Jets in the play-off.[164]
2011 season[link]
The Colts placed their franchise tag on Manning on February 15, 2011.[165] On July 30, 2011, the Colts signed Manning to a 5 year, $90 million contract after negotiations in which he made it clear that he did not need to be the highest-paid player in the NFL.[166]
After a setback in his recovery from a May 23 neck surgery, on September 7, 2011 the Colts officially ruled Manning out for the season opener against Houston, ending his consecutive starts streak of 208 games (227 including playoffs); the Colts signed Kerry Collins out of retirement and named him interim starting quarterback.[167] After seeking other opinions, Manning had another surgery on September 8, 2011.[168] This surgery was a one-level cervical neck fusion, and the typical minimum recovery time is reportedly two to three months.
Manning stated that while he did intend to play during the 2011 season, he would not "fight" the front office to stay off injured reserve if his roster spot was needed.[169] Manning started practicing throwing footballs again in mid-December, with teammate Joseph Addai even claiming his passes looked "game ready."[170] Ultimately, Manning did not play a single game in 2011, and the Colts went 2–14 without him, only the second season since Manning was a rookie that the Colts did not win at least 10 games.
Manning was released by the Colts on March 7, 2012.[171][172][173] Upon his release, Colts owner Jim Irsay announced that no Colt will ever wear the #18 jersey again, though it is not being officially retired at this time.[174]
Denver Broncos[link]
Manning reached an agreement with the Broncos on a five-year contract worth $96 million on March 20, 2012.[175][176] Although #18 is retired in honor of Frank Tripucka, Manning was given permission from Tripucka to wear it.
Personal life[link]
Manning was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Olivia (née Williams) and NFL quarterback Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning III. He married his wife, Ashley, in Memphis on St. Patrick's Day in 2001. Ashley was introduced to him by her parents' next-door neighbor the summer before Manning's freshman year in college.[177] Peyton and wife Ashley have twins, a boy and a girl, Marshall Williams and Mosley Thompson.[178]
During the summer, Archie, Peyton, Eli, and Cooper run the Manning Passing Academy, a five day camp which aims to improve the offensive skills of quarterbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs.[179] In addition to the Mannings, the camp has included many prominent players from football as coaches, such as Colts wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.[180]
Peyton, along with Archie, authored a book entitled Manning: A Father, His Sons, and a Football Legacy, which was released in 2000. The book covers Archie's and Cooper's lives and careers, and Peyton's life and career up to the time that the book was released, and examines football from both Archie's and Peyton's points-of-view.[181]
In 2009, Peyton, Eli, and Archie co-authored a children's book entitled Family Huddle, which describes in simple text and pictures how the three Manning brothers played football as young boys (Scholastic Press; illustrations by Jim Madsen).
Manning has donated over $8,000 to Republican politicians, among them Fred Thompson, Bob Corker, and former President George W. Bush.[182]
Manning in popular culture[link]
"That guy's pretty good. If you like... six-five, 230-pound quarterbacks with a... laser rocket arm..."
—Peyton Manning, in disguise, referring to himself in an advertisement for Sprint
Manning has been credited with helping to improve the image of the city of Indianapolis. A curator at the Indiana State Museum observed that "There is no Super Bowl held here without Peyton. There is no Lucas Oil Stadium without Peyton. Without Peyton, the Colts would probably be in L.A. right now."[183] He has become the NFL's most marketable player, appearing in several television and printed advertisements for some of the NFL's biggest sponsors.[184]
Manning made an appearance on Saturday Night Live's sports extra in 2008 in which he was in a children's football scene, and a high school basketball scene. An ESPN This is SportsCenter ad from 2006 features the entire Manning family; parents Archie and Olivia, with their sons Peyton, Eli and Cooper, touring the SportCenter studios with Peyton and Eli engaging in horseplay behind everybody.
He appeared in one of a series of DirecTV commercials where celebrities are seen in their element, then suddenly begin addressing the viewer. In his commercial they parodied his pre-snap audible routine and known delay in calling for the ball by having him pitch NFL Sunday Ticket instead of changing the play during a blowout game against the Tennessee Titans. Manning also appears in advertisements for St. Mary's Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Manning hosted Saturday Night Live with musical guest Carrie Underwood on March 24, 2007, his 31st birthday. The episode earned the show's highest household rating in more than 10 months in the metered markets.[185] During his opening, he alluded to his most-marketable status by joking that he had accomplished two of his life goals: his team, the Colts, winning a Super Bowl and his appearance on over half of America's television commercials. He has also won the Favorite Male Athlete award for the Kids Choice Awards.[186] On May 27, 2007 Manning waved the green flag to begin the 91st Indianapolis 500.[187]
In 2009, Manning guest-voiced (with his brothers, Eli and Cooper) on an episode of The Simpsons called "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?" in which Bart dreams of having a baby brother and sees such famous brothers as The Marx Brothers, The Blues Brothers, The Wright Brothers, The Mario Brothers, and The Manning Brothers.[188]
Charitable works[link]
Shortly after beginning his NFL career, Manning started his own charity, the Peyback Foundation. The Peyback Foundation's mission is to help disadvantaged kids, and focuses its efforts in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Indiana.[189]
Manning, along with his brother Eli, volunteered their assistance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Among the tasks performed, the Mannings assisted in the delivery of 30,000 pounds of water, Gatorade, baby formula, diapers, and pillows to the people of New Orleans.[190]
On September, 2007, St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis renamed its children's hospital to "Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent." Manning and his wife made a donation of an undisclosed amount to St. Vincent's and have had a relationship with the hospital since his arrival in Indianapolis.[191][192]
The Manning Bowl[link]
The Manning brothers Peyton and Eli have played against each other a few times in their professional careers. These encounters have been colloquially named "The Manning Bowl".[193] The first Manning Bowl was held on September 10, 2006 and Peyton's Colts defeated Eli's Giants by a score of 26–21.[194] The second Manning Bowl was held on September 19, 2010 and Peyton and his team bested Eli's team again by a score of 38–14.
The next "Manning Bowl" is scheduled to take place in the 2013 season, when Eli's Giants will host Peyton's Broncos.
Career awards and records[link]
Major high school awards[link]
- 1992, 1993 Louisiana Class 2A MVP[195]
- 1993 Gatorade Circle of Champions Award[195]
- 1993 Atlanta TD Club's Bobby Dodd Award[195]
- 1993 New Orleans Quarterback Club Player of the Year[195]
- 1993 Columbus, Ohio Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year[195]
- 1993 Gatorade High School Player of the Year (National)[196]
College awards[link]
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NFL awards[link]
- NFL MVP (2003 (shared with Steve McNair), 2004, 2008, 2009)[1]
- Best NFL Player ESPY Award(2004,[30] 2005[200])
- 11× Pro Bowl (1999–2000, 2002–2010)[37]
- 5× First-team All-Pro (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009)[76][93][100]
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (1999, 2000, 2006)[49][57][113]
- 2× Bert Bell Award (2003, 2004)[201]
- 6× AFC Offensive Player of the Year Awards (1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009)
- 1998 NFL All-Rookie First Team[37]
- 2004 AFC Offensive Player of the Year[75]
- 2004 Fedex Express Player of the Year[202]
- 2005 Best Record-Breaking Performance ESPY Award[200]
- 2005 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award[201]
- 2005 Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award[37]
- 2005 Pro Bowl MVP[75]
- 2007 Super Bowl MVP[110]
- 2007 Best Championship Performance ESPY Award[112]
Additionally, Manning has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month four times (9/2003, 11/2004, 10/2006, 9/2009) and Offensive Player of the Week on 21 occasions (20 AFC, 1 NFL/playoff).[36]
College records[link]
Tennessee Volunteers records[link]
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SEC records[link]
- Lowest interception percentage (season): 1.05% (1995)[203]
- Highest completion percentage (career): 62.49%[7]
- Lowest interception percentage (career): 2.39%[7]
- Most 300+ passing yard games (career): 18[7]
NFL records[link]
Manning holds a number of individual career records:
Regular season[link]
- Most seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards: 11 (1999–2004, 2006–2010)[204]
- Most consecutive seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards: 6 (1999–2004; tied with Drew Brees)[2]
- Most games with 40+ pass attempts in a season: 10 (2010)[205]
- Most consecutive seasons with at least 20 touchdown passes: 13 (1998–2010) [37]
- Most consecutive seasons with at least 25 touchdown passes: 13 (1998–2010)[204]
- Most games with a perfect passer rating, career: 4 (includes 1 playoff game)[90]
- Most consecutive games started to open a career: 208 [37][206]
- Most consecutive games with at least 2 touchdown passes: 13 (games 1–13, 2004)[207]
- Most consecutive games with at least 4 touchdown passes: 5 (games 7–11, 2004)[208]
- Most games with at least 4 touchdown passes, season: 6 (2004; tied with 1984 Marino)[208]
- Most games with at least 4 touchdown passes, career: 24 (includes 2 playoff games; tied with Brett Favre)[209]
- Most games with at least 5 touchdown passes, career: 7 (includes 1 playoff game)[210]
- Most games with at least 5 touchdown passes and no interceptions, career: 4 (tied with Tom Brady)
- One of only seven QBs with at least 6 touchdown passes in two games (tied with Sammy Baugh, Y.A. Tittle, Daryle Lamonica, Tom Brady, Charley Johnson and George Blanda)[211]
- One of only two QBs with at least 6 touchdown passes and no interceptions in two games (tied with Tom Brady)
- Most regular games with at least 300 passing yards: 63 (tied with Dan Marino)
- Most regular and postseason games with at least 300 passing yards: 71
- Most games with at least 400 yards passing and no interceptions: 4
- Most career touchdown passes in Thursday games: 25[212]
- Most touchdown passes on a Thursday game: 6 (tied with Bob Griese)
- Largest career TD-INT differential: 201
- Highest career passing TDs/game average (min. 150 TD passes): 1.918 TDs/game[37]
- Second-Highest career passing yards/game average: 263.6 (Drew Brees, 263.7) * Second-Highest career completions/game average (min. 100 games played): 22.5 (Drew Brees, 23.4) note:(for the purpose of being rested for the postseason, Manning was taken out early in 7 games; the last 2 games of 2009 and 2005, and the season finale in seasons 2008, 2007, 2004, thus diminishing his averages)
- Highest completion percentage by a QB in one month in NFL history (min. 75 attempts): 81.8% (December 2008) [37]
- Most career games with a completion percentage of 70% or higher (min. 10 attempts): 66[213]
- Most consecutive regular season wins as a starter: 23 (2008–2009)
- Most seasons with 10+ wins as a starter (regular season only): 11 (1999–2000, 2002–2010)
- Most seasons with 12+ wins as a starter (regular season only): 8 (1999, 2003–2009)
- Only QB with at least 12 wins as a starter in 7 consecutive seasons (2003–2009)[214]
- Only QB with nine straight seasons of 10+ wins as a starter (2002–2010)[37]
- Only QB to lead five consecutive 4th quarter comeback wins (games 7–11, 2009)[215]
- Most fourth quarter comeback wins in one season: 7 (2009)[216]
- First QB to defeat the other 31 teams in the regular season (Tom Brady did this later the same day, and Brett Favre did it the following week)[217]
- Most wins as a starting QB in a decade, regular season only: 115 (2000s)[218]
- Most wins as a starting QB in a decade, regular & postseason: 124 (2000s)
- Most AP NFL MVP Awards: 4 (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009)[1]
- Most Touchdown Passes in a decade: 314 (2000–2009)
- Most Passing Yards in a decade: 42,254 (2000–2009)
- Most Completions in a decade: 3,575 (2000–2009)
Playoff records[link]
- Most 300+ yard passing games: 8 [219]
- Most yards passing, 1st half of game: 360 vs. Denver Broncos, 1/9/05[220]
- Led the biggest comeback in conference championship game history (18 pts), 1/21/07 vs. New England[221]
- One of only four QBs to post a perfect 158.3 passer rating in a game (Don Meredith, Terry Bradshaw, Dave Krieg)[222]
- Most games with 20+ completions: 14[223] (surpassed by Tom Brady in 2011)
- Most games with 30+ completions: 4[224] (surpassed by Drew Brees in 2011)
- Most games with 30+ attempts: 17[225]
- Most games with 40+ attempts: 8[226] (tied by Tom Brady in 2011)
- Most completions and attempts in a single postseason: 97/153 (2006)[227]
- One of only 2 quarterbacks to complete 80% of his passes in two playoff games (tied with Kurt Warner)[228]
- Most consecutive postseasons with at least one start: 9 (2002–2010)
Rookie records[link]
- Most touchdown passes: 26[208]
- Most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (games 4–16): 13[229]
- Most games with at least one touchdown pass: 15 [37]
- Most games with 300+ yards passing: 4 [37]
With Marvin Harrison[link]
Manning and former Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison hold a number of QB-WR tandem records:
- Most completions/receptions (career): 953[230]
- Most passing/receiving yards (career): 12,756[230]
- Most passing/receiving touchdowns (career): 112[37][230]
- Most completions/receptions in a season, QB-to-WR duo: 143 (2002)
- Most passing/receiving yards in a season, QB-to-WR duo: 1,722 (2002)
Pro Bowl records[link]
- Most Pro Bowl selections for a QB: 11 (tied with Brett Favre)[231]
- Most consecutive Pro Bowl selections for a QB: 9 (during the 2002–2010 seasons)
- Most passing attempts (career): 150[101]
- Most passing attempts (game): 41 (2004)[232]
- Most completions (career): 92[101]
- Most completions (game): 22 (2004)[232]
- Most passing yards (career): 1,278[101]
- Most passing yards (game): 342 (2004)[232]
- Most passing touchdowns (career): 13[101]
Colts franchise records[link]
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NFL career statistics[link]
All statistics from Pro Football Reference,[35] CBS Sportsline,[239] and ESPN[240]
Regular season[link]
Post-season[link]
Position on passing statistics leaderboards[link]Manning is currently on pace to break the career records in many major statistical categories for a quarterback, including most career passing touchdowns, most career completions, and most career passing yards.[241] Manning is currently ranked in the top five in all of these categories:
(Updated March 12, 2012) See also[link]
References[link]
External links[link]
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http://wn.com/Peyton_Manning
Related pages:
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http://es.wn.com/Peyton Manning
http://ru.wn.com/Мэннинг, Пейтон
http://nl.wn.com/Peyton Manning
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http://hi.wn.com/पेयटन मैनिंग
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyton_Manning
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
 Staubach in December 2007 |
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No. 12
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| Quarterback | |||||||||
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Personal information
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| Date of birth: (1942-02-05) February 5, 1942 (age 70) | |||||||||
| Place of birth: Cincinnati, Ohio | |||||||||
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Career information
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| College: Navy | |||||||||
| NFL Draft: 1964 / Round: 10 / Pick: 129 | |||||||||
| Debuted in 1969 for the Dallas Cowboys | |||||||||
| Last played in 1979 for the Dallas Cowboys | |||||||||
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Career history
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Career highlights and awards
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Career NFL statistics
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| Pro Football Hall of Fame | |||||||||
| College Football Hall of Fame | |||||||||
Roger Thomas Staubach (born February 5, 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and legendary Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979. Staubach was instrumental in developing the Cowboys into becoming one of the best teams of the 1970s and led the team to nine of the Cowboys' record-setting twenty consecutive winning seasons. Staubach led the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory and as a result he was named MVP in Super Bowl VI. Staubach was described by legendary Cowboys head coach Tom Landry as "possibly the best combination of a passer, an athlete and a leader to ever play in the NFL."
Staubach first achieved national attention when he was named the starting quarterback of the Navy football team in 1962. He was hailed by Navy coach Wayne Hardin as "the greatest quarterback Navy ever had." He helmed the team for three seasons, leading the Midshipmen to two victories in the Army–Navy Game and an appearance in the 1964 Cotton Bowl Classic. In addition to earning the Heisman trophy by the seventh largest point margin, Staubach was elected to the College Hall of Fame in 1981.
After his required service in the United States Navy, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, Staubach joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1969. He played with the club during five seasons in which they played in the Super Bowl, four as the primary starting quarterback. He led the Cowboys to victories in Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII. Staubach was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl VI becoming the first of four players to win the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP - Jim Plunkett, Marcus Allen, and Desmond Howard are the other three. He was named to the Pro Bowl six times during his eleven-year NFL career.
Contents |
Beginnings[link]
The American sportsman of German descent was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in suburban Silverton, Ohio. Roger attended St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, and graduated from a Catholic high school, Purcell High School (now called Purcell Marian High School). After one year at New Mexico Military Institute, Staubach played quarterback for the United States Naval Academy. As a third class midshipman (sophomore), he got his first opportunity to play in the third game of the season, against the University of Minnesota on October 6, 1962. Staubach relieved starter Ron Klemick as the Minnesota defense, led by Bobby Bell and Carl Eller, was stifling in its 21-0 victory. Staubach was 0-2 passing and was sacked twice for a minus 24 yards. A week later, against Cornell, with the offense misfiring, Wayne Hardin decided to put Staubach into the game to see if he could spark the team's offense. Staubach went on to lead Navy to six touchdown drives, throwing for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 88 yards and another score, as Navy won 41-0.[1] A few weeks later, Staubach started again in the famed Army/Navy game, which featured president John F. Kennedy (himself a former Naval officer), who just 37 days earlier had negotiated the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis, performing the coin toss. Staubach led the team to a 34–14 upset over Army, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another.
In his second class (junior) season of 1963 he won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award while leading the Midshipmen to a 9-1 record and a final ranking of #2 in the nation. The Midshipmen lost the national championship to #1 Texas in the Cotton Bowl. That year he led Navy to victory in their annual rivalry with Notre Dame. Navy did not beat Notre Dame again until 2007. In his three seasons at Navy, he completed 292 of 463 passes, with only 19 interceptions, and gained a school record 4,253 yards of total offense. Staubach is the last player from a military academy to win the Heisman Trophy.
He was a 10th round draft pick in the 1964 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, but due to his military commitment, did not begin playing until 1969 as a 27-year-old rookie. He was also drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 16th round (122nd pick overall) of the 1964 American Football League Draft.[2] After graduating from the Naval Academy, Staubach could have requested an assignment in the States, but he chose to volunteer for a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam where he served as a Supply Corps officer for the Navy Chu Lai until 1967. During his junior year at the Naval Academy, Staubach's color-blindness was detected. He was permitted to become the Naval Academy's first graduate to be commissioned directly into the Supply Corps, which did not necessitate being able to tell the difference between red (port) and blue (starboard) lights or to discern the color differences in electrical circuitry.[1] He spent the rest of his Naval career in the United States, playing football on various Naval service teams to prepare for his future career in the NFL.
In 1969, Staubach resigned his commission, just in time to join the Cowboys training camp. The Naval Academy retired Staubach's jersey number (#12) during his graduation ceremony after his senior season. In 1981, Staubach was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2007, Staubach was ranked #9 on ESPN's Top 25 Players In College Football History list.
Statistics[link]
| Year | Comp | Att | Comp % | Passing | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 67 | 98 | 68.4 | 966 | 7 |
| 1963 | 107 | 161 | 66.5 | 1474 | 7 |
| 1964 | 119 | 204 | 58.3 | 1131 | 4 |
NFL career[link]
In 1971, Craig Morton began the season as the starter, but after a loss to the New Orleans Saints, Staubach assumed the role. However, in a game against the Chicago Bears in the seventh week of that season, coach Tom Landry alternated Staubach and Morton on each play, sending in the quarterbacks with the play call from the sideline. Dallas gained almost 500 yards of offense but committed seven turnovers and that led to a 23–19 loss to a mediocre Bears squad that dropped the Cowboys to 4–3 on the season, two games behind the Washington Redskins in the NFC East race.
Staubach assumed the full-time quarterbacking duties in a week eight victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and led the Cowboys to ten consecutive victories, including their first Super Bowl victory, 24–3 over the Miami Dolphins. He led the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl win and was named MVP of Super Bowl VI on January 16, 1972, completing 12 out of 19 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for 18 yards. In 1972, he missed most of the season with a separated shoulder, but he relieved Morton in a divisional playoff against the San Francisco 49ers and threw two touchdown passes in the last 90 seconds to win the game 30-28. With that performance, he won back his regular job and did not relinquish it again during his career.
Staubach played with the Cowboys until 1979 under Tom Landry. Staubach was a 6-time Pro-Bowler (1971, 1975–1979), and led the Cowboys to another NFL championship win in the 1977 season. He threw for 183 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions, in Dallas' 27–10 victory in Super Bowl XII. Staubach also led the Cowboys to Super Bowl appearances in Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XIII, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers both times. His offensive teammates included standout receivers "Bullet" Bob Hayes, Lance Alworth, Drew Pearson and Golden Richards, tight ends Mike Ditka, Billy Joe Dupree and Jackie Smith, tackle Rayfield Wright and running backs Robert Newhouse, Calvin Hill and Tony Dorsett. Alworth, Ditka, Dorsett, Hayes, Smith and Wright are in the Hall of Fame.
Staubach recorded the highest passer rating in the NFL in 4 different seasons (1971, 1973, 1978, 1979), and led the league with 23 touchdown passes in 1973. He was an All-NFC choice five times and selected to play in six Pro Bowls. In his final NFL season of 1979, Staubach set career highs in completions (267), passing yards (3,586), and touchdown passes (27), with just 11 interceptions.
Overall, he finished his 11 NFL seasons with 1,685 completions for 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns, with 109 interceptions. He also gained 2,264 rushing yards and scored 21 touchdowns on 410 carries. For regular season games of record he has a superior 75% winning percentage.[2]
Legacy[link]
Staubach retired from football in March 1980, as the then second highest-rated passer of all time at 83.4 (behind Otto Graham at 86.6), and was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1999, he was ranked number 29 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the second-ranked Cowboy behind Bob Lilly.
Staubach was one of the most exciting NFL players of the 1970s. Known as "Roger The Dodger" for his scrambling abilities, "Captain America" as quarterback of America's Team, and also as "Captain Comeback" for his fourth quarter game-winning heroics, Staubach had a penchant for leading scoring drives which would lead the Cowboys to improbable victories. He led the Cowboys to 23 game-winning drives (15 comebacks) in the fourth quarter, with 17 of those coming in the final two minutes or in overtime.[3]
Perhaps Staubach's most famous moment was the "Hail Mary Pass" in the 1975 playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings. With seconds on the clock and the Cowboys trailing 14–10, Staubach launched a 50-yard bomb to wide receiver Drew Pearson, who caught the pass and strode into the end zone for a 17–14 victory. After the game, Staubach quipped he prayed a "Hail Mary" after throwing the pass. Since then, any last-minute pass play to the end zone in a desperate attempt to score a game-winning touchdown is referred to as a "Hail Mary pass" in reference to Staubach's famous play.
In 2010, Staubach was named the number one Dallas Cowboy of all time according to a poll conducted by the Dallas Morning News.
Off the field[link]
Roger has been married since 1965 to his sweetheart from grade school, Marianne.[4] They have a son, four daughters, and 13 grandchildren.[5]
In 1977, he capitalized on his football fame and started a commercial real estate business. He had prepared for this by working in the off-seasons from 1970 until 1977 for Henry S. Miller Company. The Staubach Company has been his primary endeavor since retirement from football, and where he served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until June 20, 2007, when he announced he would step down as CEO of the now multi-billion dollar real estate company he started 30 years earlier. The firm has over 70 offices and is part of a worldwide partnership with the British commercial real estate firm DTZ.
During the 1970s and early 1980s he was a spokesperson for the men's clothing retailer Anderson Little, appearing in both their print and TV ads.
In the early 1980s, Staubach worked for a short time as a color commentator for CBS Sports' NFL telecasts.
Staubach was named The Walter Camp “Man of the Year” in 1983[6] and was awarded the Davey O'Brien Legends Award in 2001.[7]
Staubach jointly owned Hall of Fame Racing, a NASCAR Nextel Cup team, with fellow former Cowboy and hall-of-famer Troy Aikman, which began racing for the 2006 season but is now a minority owner.
On January 25, 2007, Staubach was named chairman of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Bid Committee,[8] whose goal was to have the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex host the Super Bowl in 2011. On May 23, 2007 the NFL chose Dallas as the host city of Super Bowl XLV.
On September 25, 2007 a fundraising email was sent out from the Presidential campaign of Senator John McCain (R-AZ) with a letter from Roger Staubach asking recipients to make a contribution before the Federal Election Commission 3rd quarter reporting date of September 30, 2007.
On July 11, 2008, The Staubach Company was sold to Jones Lang LaSalle for $613 million.[9] Staubach and his children's trust will gross over $100 million from the sale by 2013. The sale provided an initial payment of $9.27 per Staubach share with additional payments due over the following five years for a total of approximately $29/share. Staubach took half of his first payment in Jones Lang LaSalle stock which was then trading at approximately $59.50/share.
On December 27, 2011, Staubach wrote the foreword for a book titled The Power in a Link,[10] published by John Wiley & Sons, authored by United States Military Academy graduate, David Gowel.
References[link]
- ^ "Navy Historical Scores". Jhowell.net. http://www.jhowell.net/cf/scores/Navy.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
- ^ a b Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ "Roger Staubach's Career 4th quarter comebacks and game-winning drives", Pro-Football-Reference.com
- ^ "Notable Sports Figures: Staubach, Roger"
- ^ "Real Sports Heroes with Ross Porter"
- ^ Awards — Walter Camp Football Foundation
- ^ The Davey O'Brien Award - National Quarterback Award
- ^ Moore, Dave (January 25, 2007). "Staubach to lead Dallas Super Bowl bid". Dallas Business Journal. http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2007/01/22/daily38.html. Retrieved February 21, 2007.
- ^ "Jones Lang LaSalle to Buy Staubach for $613 Million". Bloomberg.com. 2008-06-16. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aF_hGppuRtjk&refer=home. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
- ^ "The Power in a Link: Open Doors, Close Deals, and Change the Way you do Business Using LinkedIn". Amazon.com. 2011-12-27. http://www.amazon.com/Power-Link-Change-Business-LinkedIn/dp/1118134672. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
External links[link]
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Member profile
- Roger Staubach at the College Football Hall of Fame
- Roger Staubach at the Heisman Trophy
- Roger Staubach at Pro-Football-Reference.com
- Forbes profile
| Awards | ||
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| Preceded by Chuck Howley |
NFL Super Bowl MVPs Super Bowl VI, 1972 |
Succeeded by Jake Scott |
| Preceded by Bill Richardson |
Theodore Roosevelt Award (NCAA) 2000 |
Succeeded by William Cohen |
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| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Staubach, Roger |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | American football Hall of Fame quarterback, businessman |
| Date of birth | February 5, 1942 |
| Place of birth | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Date of death | |
| Place of death | |
http://wn.com/Roger_Staubach
Related pages:
http://fr.wn.com/Roger Staubach
http://pt.wn.com/Roger Staubach
http://de.wn.com/Roger Staubach
http://it.wn.com/Roger Staubach
http://es.wn.com/Roger Staubach
This page contains text from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Staubach
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License, which means that you can copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license.
