Otto Everett Graham Jr. was an American football quarterback who played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL)….who is regarded by critics as one of the most dominant players of his era….after having taken the Browns to league championship games every year between 1946 and 1955….while winning seven of them. With Graham at quarterback, the Browns posted a record of 114 wins, 20 losses, and four ties, including a 9–3 win–loss record in the playoffs….who has had most of his statistical records have been surpassed in the modern era….but still holds the NFL record for career average yards gained per pass attempt, with 8.98….and he also holds the record for the highest career winning percentage for an NFL starting quarterback at 0.814. Long-time New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner once called him “as great of a quarterback as there ever was.”….as Otto is also known for being one of only two people….the other being Gene Conley of the Milwaukee Braves in the 1957 World Series and three Boston Celtics championships from 1959–61….to win championships in two of the four major North American sports…the 1946 NBL (became NBA) and AAFC Championship, plus 3 more AAFC and 3 NFL championships. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965.
Yelberton Abraham Tittle Jr….better known as Y.A. Tittle….is a former professional American football quarterback….who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, and Baltimore Colts….after spending two seasons with the Colts in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) Known for his competitiveness, leadership, and striking profile….Tittle was the centerpiece of several prolific offenses throughout his seventeen-year professional career from 1948 to 1964. After college he was drafted in the 1947 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, but he instead chose to play in the AAFC for the Colts….where he was named the AAFC Rookie of the Year in 1948….after leading the team to the AAFC playoffs. After back-to-back one-win seasons….the Colts franchise folded allowing Tittle to be drafted in the 1951 NFL Draft by the 49ers….where through ten seasons….he was invited to four Pro Bowls….and led the league in touchdown passes in 1955….then in 1957 was named the NFL Player of the Year by the United Press…..as Tittle was part of the 49ers’ famed “Million Dollar Backfield”….and was the first professional football player featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated….who has been credited with coining “alley-oop” as a sports term. Considered washed-up at age 34…Tittle was traded to the Giants following the 1960 season….and over the next four seasons….he won three MVP awards….having twice set the league single-season records for touchdown passes….and led the Giants to three straight NFL title games. Although he was never able to deliver a championship to the team, Tittle’s time in New York is regarded among the glory years of the franchise.He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, attempts, completions, and games played…..and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Leonard Ray Dawson is a former American football quarterback….who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame….as he played 19 seasons for three professional teams….having played the last 14 seasons with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs. Dawson led the Texans/Chiefs to three American Football League Championships (1962, 1966, 1969)….and a victory in Super Bowl IV….where he won the game’s MVP award. Dawson retired from professional football after the 1975 season….and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Robert Lawrence “Bobby” Layne, Sr. was an American football quarterback….who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League….where he played for the Chicago Bears in 1948….the New York Bulldogs in 1949….the Detroit Lions from 1950–1958….ending his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1958–1962. Layne was selected by the Bears with the third overall pick of the 1948 NFL draft….after having a stellar collegiate career at the University of Texas….as this Longhorn was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968. His number, 22, has been retired by the University of Texas Longhorns and Detroit Lions….cuz this “cat” was one of the best “winners” to ever come out of the State of Texas.
Norman Mack Van Brocklin nicknamed “The Dutchman”….was an American football quarterback, punter, and coach in the National Football League….who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. During his twelve-year professional career….Van Brocklin played on two NFL championship teams….the 1951 Los Angeles Rams and the 1960 Philadelphia Eagles….where following the latter triumph….he retired as the only Eagles quarterback to defeat the Green Bay Packers in a playoff game during Vince Lombardi‘s tenure as the Packers head coach. Van Brocklin led the NFL in passing three times and in punting twice. …being selected to 9 Pro Bowls throughout his career.
Any way you cut the pie…..this video showcases the careers of five (5) of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game….which makes this NFL Films production priceless…..and well worth the watch.
