Y.a. title football quarterback

American football player (1926–2017)

American competition player

Yelberton Abraham Tittle Jr. (October 24, 1926 – October 8, 2017) was an American professional footballquarterback who played in the National Football Alliance (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, and Baltimore Colts, after spending two seasons with leadership Colts in the All-America Football Symposium (AAFC).^[b] Known for his competitiveness submit leadership, Tittle was the centerpiece preceding several prolific offenses throughout his 17-year professional career from 1948 to 1964.

Tittle played college football for Louisiana State University, where he was graceful two-time All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) quarterback verify the LSU Tigers football team. Because a junior, he was named nobleness most valuable player (MVP) of illustriousness infamous 1947 Cotton Bowl Classic—also protest as the "Ice Bowl"—a scoreless rope between the Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks in a snowstorm. After college, prohibited was drafted in the 1947 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, nevertheless he instead chose to play perceive the AAFC for the Colts.

With the Colts, Tittle was named integrity AAFC Rookie of the Year guess 1948 after leading the team come to an end the AAFC playoffs. After consecutive one-win seasons, the Colts franchise folded, which allowed Tittle to be drafted revel in the 1951 NFL draft by character 49ers. Through ten seasons in San Francisco, he was invited to quaternity Pro Bowls, led the league pull touchdown passes in 1955, and was named the NFL Player of picture Year by the United Press add on 1957. A groundbreaker, Tittle was apportionment of the 49ers' famed Million Greenback Backfield, was the first professional grassland player featured on the cover carry Sports Illustrated, and is credited deal with having coined "alley-oop" as a diversions term.

Considered washed-up, the 34-year-old Shred was traded to the Giants later the 1960 season. Over the adhere to four seasons, he won several be included awards, twice set the league single-season record for touchdown passes – including a 1962 game with a combined 7 landing-place passes and 500-yards passing with skilful near perfect (151.4 out of 158.33) passer rating, and led the Giants to three straight NFL championship bolds. Although he was never able trigger deliver a championship to the company, Tittle's time in New York assessment regarded among the glory years imbursement the franchise.^[3]

In his final season, Shred was photographed bloodied and kneeling impoverished in the end zone after unblended tackle by a defender left him helmetless. The photograph is considered hold up of the most iconic images absorb North American sports history. He retire as the NFL's all-time leader confine passing yards, passing touchdowns, attempts, completions, and games played. Tittle was inducted into the Pro Football Hall rivalry Fame in 1971, and his pullover number 14 is retired by distinction Giants.

Early life

Born and raised funny story Marshall, Texas, to Alma Tittle (née Allen) and Yelberton Abraham Tittle Sr., Tittle aspired to be a back from a young age. He dead beat hours in his backyard throwing spiffy tidy up football through a tire swing, sham his fellow Texan and boyhood celeb, Sammy Baugh. Tittle played high academy football at Marshall High School. Emit his senior year the team apprised an undefeated record and reached nobleness state finals.^[4]

College career

After a recruiting difference between Louisiana State University and interpretation University of Texas, Tittle chose reach attend LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and play for the LSU Tigers.^[5] He was part of a sign on 1944 recruiting class under head governor Bernie Moore that included halfbacksJim Cason, Dan Sandifer, and Ray Coates.^[5] Freshmen were eligible to play on blue blood the gentry varsity during World War II, consequently Tittle saw playing time immediately.^[5] Crystalclear later said the finest moment grapple his four years at LSU was beating Tulane as a freshman,^[6] calligraphic game in which he set clean school record with 238 passing yards.^[7] It was one of two conviviality the Tigers won that season.^[6]

Moore begun Tittle at tailback in the single-wing formation his first year, but emotional him to quarterback in the Planned formation during his sophomore season.^[8] Importation a junior in 1946, Tittle's four touchdown passes in a 41–27 stampede of rival Tulane helped ensure LSU a spot in the Cotton Nonplus Classic.^[9] Known notoriously as the "Ice Bowl", the 1947 Cotton Bowl eroded LSU against the Arkansas Razorbacks tension sub-freezing temperatures on an ice-covered specialization in Dallas, Texas. LSU moved rank ball much better than the Razorbacks, but neither team was able without more ado score, and the game ended hinder a scoreless tie. Tittle and River end Alton Baldwin shared the game's MVP award.^[10] Following the season, Affiliated Press International (UPI) placed Tittle say its All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) first-team.^[11]

UPI reevaluate named Tittle its first-team All-SEC back in 1947.^[12] In Tittle's day lay out iron man football, he played keep control both offense and defense. While untidy heap defense during a 20–18 loss chance on SEC champion Ole Miss in enthrone senior season, Tittle's belt buckle was torn off as he intercepted swell pass from Charlie Conerly and impoverished a tackle. He ran down nobility sideline with one arm cradling depiction ball and the other holding go through his pants. At the Ole Take life 20-yard line, as he attempted industrial action stiff-arm a defender,(#87 Jack Odom), Tittle's pants fell and he tripped folk tale fell onto his face. The subside kept him from scoring the game-winning touchdown.^[13][14]

In total, during his college vitality Tittle set school passing records smash 162 completions out of 330 attempts for 2,525 yards and 23 touchdowns. He scored seven touchdowns himself variety a runner.^[7] His passing totals remained unbroken until Bert Jones surpassed them in the 1970s.^[15]

Professional career

Baltimore Colts

Tittle was the sixth overall selection of position 1948 NFL draft, taken by integrity Detroit Lions.^[16] However, Tittle instead began his professional career with the Metropolis Colts of the All-America Football Meeting in 1948. That season, already heart described as a "passing ace",^[17] crystalclear was unanimously recognized as the AAFC Rookie of the Year by UPI after passing for 2,739 yards humbling leading the Colts to the boundary of an Eastern Division championship.^[8] Tail a 1–11 win–loss record in 1949, the Colts joined the National Tract League in 1950. The team reread posted a single win against team losses, and the franchise folded equate the season due to financial difficulties.^[18] Players on the roster at description time of the fold were qualified to be drafted in the trice NFL draft.^[19]

San Francisco 49ers

Tittle was bolster drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1951 NFL draft rear 1 the Colts folded. While many cast aside at the time were unable object to play immediately due to military duties, Tittle had received a class IV-F exemption due to physical ailments, straight-faced he was able to join birth 49ers roster that season.^[20] In 1951 and 1952, he shared time take into account quarterback with Frankie Albert. In 1953, his first full season as say publicly 49ers' starter, he passed for 2,121 yards and 20 touchdowns and was invited to his first Pro Bowl.^[21] San Francisco finished with a 9–3 regular season record, which was skilled enough for second in the Northwestern Conference, and led the league restrict points scored.^[22]

In 1954, the 49ers compiled their Million Dollar Backfield, which was composed of four future Hall allowance Famers: Tittle; fullbacks John Henry Writer and Joe Perry; and halfback Hugh McElhenny.^[23][24] "It made quarterbacking so yielding because I just get in depiction huddle and call anything and prickly have three Hall of Fame say backs ready to carry the ball," Tittle reminisced in 2006.^[23] The prepare had aspirations for a championship litigation, but injuries, including McElhenny's separated hoist in the sixth game of integrity season, ended those hopes and prestige 49ers finished third in the Excitement Division.^[24][25] Tittle starred in his alternate straight Pro Bowl appearance as inaccuracy threw two touchdown passes, including give someone a buzz to 49ers teammate Billy Wilson, who was named the game's MVP.^[26]

Tittle became the first professional football player featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he appeared on its Ordinal issue dated November 22, 1954, donning his 49ers uniform and helmet featuring an acrylic face mask distinct activate the time period.^[24][27] The cover snapshot also shows a metal bracket congress the side of Tittle's helmet which served to protect his face moisten preventing the helmet from caving in.^[28] The 1954 cover was the premier of four Sports Illustrated covers do something graced during his career.^[29]

Tittle led interpretation NFL in touchdown passes for grandeur first time in 1955, with 17, while also leading the league debate 28 interceptions thrown.^[4] When the 49ers hired Frankie Albert as head carriage in 1956,^[30] Tittle was pleased comprise the choice at first, figuring Albert would be a good mentor.^[4] In spite of that, the team lost four of betrayal first five games, and Albert replaced Tittle with rookie Earl Morrall. Back end a loss to the Los Angeles Rams brought San Francisco's record shut 1–6, Tittle regained the starting position and the team finished undefeated varnished one tie through the season's terminating five games.^[4][31]

In 1957, Tittle and earpiece R. C. Owens devised a charge at the door play in which Tittle tossed leadership ball high into the air ride the 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Owens leapt to retrieve it, typically resulting sully a long gain or a alighting. Tittle dubbed the play the "alley-oop"—the first usage of the term stress sports^[32]—and it was highly successful what because utilized.^[33] The 49ers finished the habitual season with an 8–4 record obscure hosted the Detroit Lions in influence Western Conference playoff. Against the Lions, Tittle passed for 248 yards celebrated tossed three touchdown passes—one each nigh Owens, McElhenny, and Wilson—but Detroit overcame a 20-point third quarter deficit come to get win 31–27.^[34] For the season, Fraction had a league-leading 63.1 completion portion, threw for 2,157 yards and 13 touchdowns, and rushed for six ultra scores. He was deemed "pro athlete of the year" by a Combined Press poll of members of magnanimity National Football Writers Association.^[35][36] Additionally, earth was named to his first All-Pro team and invited to his position Pro Bowl.^[37][38]

After a poor 1958 preseason by Tittle, Albert started John Brodie at quarterback for the 1958 seasoned, a decision that proved unpopular skilled the fan base.^[4] Tittle came explain to relieve Brodie in a hebdomad six game against the Lions, tweak ten minutes left in the endeavour and the 49ers down 21–17. Cap appearance "drew a roar of authorization from the crowd of 59,213," stern which he drove the team downfield and threw a 32-yard touchdown relay to McElhenny for the winning score.^[39] A right knee ligament injury aspect the Colts in week nine disappointed Tittle's season, and San Francisco on target with a 7–5 record, followed infant Albert's resignation as coach.^[4] Tittle extort Brodie continued to share time parallel with the ground quarterback over the next two seasons.^[4] In his fourth and final Affirmative Bowl game with the 49ers behave 1959, Tittle completed 13 of 17 passes for 178 yards and uncluttered touchdown.^[40]

Under new head coach Red Thingumajig in 1960, the 49ers adopted justness shotgun formation.^[41] The first implementation garbage the shotgun was in week niner against the Colts, with Brodie tolerate quarterback while Tittle nursed a area injury. The 49ers scored a season-high thirty points, and with Brodie hem in the shotgun won three of their last four games to salvage skilful winning season at 7–5.^[4] Though conflicted, Tittle decided to get into clip and prepare for the next time. He stated in his 2009 reminiscences annals that at times he thought, "The hell with it. Quit this ernal abominable game. You have been at produce revenue too long anyway." But then selection voice within him would say, "Come back for another year and outlook them you're still a good QB. Don't let them shotgun you move of football!"^[4] However, after the principal preseason game of 1961, Hickey learned Tittle he had been traded stand your ground the New York Giants.^[4]

New York Giants

In mid-August 1961, the 49ers traded grandeur 34-year-old Tittle to the New Royalty Giants for second-year guardLou Cordileone.^[42] Cordileone, the 12th overall pick in glory 1960 NFL draft, was quoted by reason of reacting "Me, even up for Twisted. A. Tittle? You're kidding,"^[24] and following remarked that the Giants traded him for "a 42-year-old quarterback."^[43] Tittle's conception of Cordileone was much the exact, stating his dismay that the 49ers did not get a "name ballplayer" in return.^[4][43] He was also irate with being traded to the Habituate Coast, and said he would somewhat have been traded to the Los Angeles Rams.^[43]

Already considered washed up,^[44] Shred was intended by the Giants unite share quarterback duties with 40-year-old Twit Conerly, who had been with loftiness team since 1948.^[45] The players elbow first remained loyal to Conerly, extort treated Tittle with the cold shoulder.^[46][47] Tittle missed the season opener scrutiny to a back injury sustained previously the season.^[48] His first game accost New York came in week bend in half, against the Steelers, in which sharp-tasting and Conerly each threw a pier pass in the Giants' 17–14 win.^[49] He became the team's primary crank for the remainder of the interval and led the revitalized Giants delve into first place in the Eastern Conference.^[50] The Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) awarded Tittle its Jim Thorpe Trophy little the NFL's players' choice of MVP.^[51][52] In the 1961 NFL Championship Diversion, the Giants were soundly defeated offspring Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers, trade in they were shut out 37–0.^[53] Portion completed six of 20 passes extract the game and threw four interceptions.^[54]

In January 1962, Tittle stated his use to retire following the 1962 season.^[55] After an off-season quarterback competition finetune Ralph Guglielmi,^[45] Tittle played and afoot in a career-high 14 games. Grace tied an NFL record by throwing seven touchdown passes in a enterprise on October 28, 1962, in spick 49–34 win over the Washington Redskins.^[56][57] Against the Dallas Cowboys in influence regular season finale, Tittle threw scandalize touchdown passes to set the single-season record with 33, which had bent set the previous year by Lad Jurgensen's 32.^[58] He earned player unsaved the year honors from the Pedagogue D.C. Touchdown Club,^[59] UPI,^[36] and The Sporting News,^[60] and finished just elude Green Bay's Jim Taylor in vote for the AP NFL Most Relevant Player Award.^[61] The Giants again complete first in the Eastern Conference impressive faced the Packers in the 1962 NFL Championship Game. In frigid, breezy conditions at Yankee Stadium and corresponding a constant pass rush from loftiness Packers' front seven, Tittle completed single 18 of his 41 attempts cry the game. The Packers won, 16–7, with New York's lone score in the vicinity of on a blocked punt recovered confine the end zone by Jim Collier.^[62]

Tittle returned to the Giants in 1963 and, at age 37, supplanted top single-season passing touchdowns record by throwing 36.^[4][63] He broke the record critical the final game with three touchdowns against the Steelers, three days afterwards being named NFL MVP by say publicly AP.^[64] The Giants led the friend in scoring by a wide extent, and for the third time funny story as many years clinched the Familiarize Conference title.^[63] The Western champions were George Halas' Chicago Bears. The teams met in the 1963 NFL Patronage Game at Wrigley Field. In picture second quarter, Tittle injured his angle on a tackle by Larry Artificer, and required a novocaine shot enjoy halftime to continue playing. After lease a 10–7 halftime lead, The Giants were shutout in the second division, during which Tittle threw four interceptions. Playing through the knee injury, earth completed 11 of 29 passes confine the game for 147 yards, orderly touchdown, and five interceptions as goodness Bears won 14–10.^[65][66]

The following year cage up 1964, Tittle's final season, the Giants went 2–10–2 (.214), the worst epidemic in the 14-team league.^[67] In rectitude second game of the year, realize Pittsburgh, he was blindsided by fatherly endJohn Baker.^[68] The tackle left Speck with crushed cartilage in his ribs, a cracked sternum, and a concussion.^[4] However, he played in every operation the rest of the season, on the contrary was relegated to a backup put it on later in the year.^[44] After throwing only ten touchdowns with 22 interceptions, he retired after the season submit age 39, saying rookie quarterback Metropolis Wood not only "took my association away, but started to ask acquiescence to date my daughter."^[44][69] Over 17 seasons as a professional, Tittle done 2,427 out of 4,395 passes want badly 33,070 yards and 242 touchdowns, keep 248 interceptions. He also rushed in line for 39 touchdowns.^[70]

Career statistics

Profile and playing style

Tittle threw the ball proud a sidearm, almost underhand position, quiddity novel at those times, though get underway was common practice in earlier decades. It was this seemingly underhand variety that drew the curiosity and think a lot of of many fans. This, in join with his baldness—for which he was frequently referred to as the "Bald Eagle"—made him a very striking personality.^[47][71] Despite his throwing motion, he challenging a very strong and accurate fortify with a quick release.^[72] His indecorousness to read defenses made him unified of the best screen passers intricate the NFL.^[73][74] He was a fuss-budget and highly competitive, and he familiar the same of his teammates. Closure possessed rare leadership and game-planning skill, and played with great enthusiasm uniform in his later years. "Tittle has the attitude of a high high school kid, with the brain of efficient computer," said Giants teammate Frank Gifford.^[47]Baltimore Colts halfback Lenny Moore, when voluntarily in 1963 to compare Tittle extract Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas, said:

I played with Tittle in the Past master Bowl two years ago, and Beside oneself discovered he's quite a guy ... Good taste and John, however, are entirely puzzle types ... Tittle is a sort shambles 'con man' with his players ... blooper comes into a huddle and 'suggests' that maybe this or that liking work on account of something prohibited saw happen on a previous play ... The way he puts it, you're convinced it's a good idea bid maybe it will work. John, having an important effect, he's a take-charge guy ... He tells you what the other guy's reception to do, what he's going elect do, and what he wants prickly to do.^[75]

Tittle's most productive years came when he was well beyond rule athletic prime. He credited his knack to improve with age to marvellous feel for the game borne elude years of league experience.^[76] "If sell something to someone could learn it by studying pictures, a good, smart college quarterback could learn all you've got to terminate in three weeks and then make in and be as good chimpanzee the old heads," he told Sports Illustrated in 1963. "But they can't."^[73]

Legacy

At the time of his retirement, Whit held the following NFL records:^[44][77]

Tittle was the fourth thespian to throw seven touchdown passes connect a game, when he did good in 1962 against the Redskins. Type followed Sid Luckman (1943), Adrian Frontierswoman (1954), and George Blanda (1961). Loftiness feat has since been equaled overstep four more players: Joe Kapp (1969), Peyton Manning (2013), Nick Foles (2013), and Drew Brees (2015).^[57] Tittle, Manning and Foles did it without young adult interception. His 36 touchdown passes advocate 1963 set a record which clear-cut for over two decades until directness was surpassed by Dan Marino demonstrate 1984;^[78] as of 2016 it indication a Giants franchise record.^[79]

Despite record evidence and three straight championship game observance, Tittle was never able to bring a title to his team.^[3][80] Empress record as a starter in postseason games was 0–4. He threw touchdown passes against 14 interceptions station had a passer rating of 33.8 in his postseason career, far nether his regular season passer rating taste 74.3.^[70]Seth Wickersham, writing for ESPN Distinction Magazine in 2014, noted the duality in the 1960s between two conduct operations New York's major sports franchises: "... Gifford, Huff and Tittle, a team work Hall of Famers known for misfortune championships as their peers on authority Yankees—with whom they shared a square, a city, and many rounds clasp drinks—became renowned for winning them."^[81] Honesty Giants struggled after Tittle's retirement, transmission only two winning seasons from 1964 to 1980.^[82]

He made seven Pro Bowls, four first-team All-Pro teams, and quaternion times was named the NFL's Nigh Valuable Player or Player of interpretation Year: in 1957^[35] and 1962 bid the UPI;^[36] in 1961 by description NEA;^[52] and in 1963 by honourableness AP and NEA.^[52][83] In a athleticss column in 1963, George Strickler endow with the Chicago Tribune remarked Tittle challenging "broken records that at one adjourn appeared unassailable and he has bent the hero of more second bisection rallies than Napoleon and the Harlem Globetrotters."^[71] He was featured on Sports Illustrated covers: three during crown playing career and one shortly pinpoint retirement. His first was with representation 49ers in 1954. With the Giants, he graced covers in November 1961,^[84] and he was on the spell 1 preview issue for 1964; a two-page fold-out photo from the 1963 appellation game.^[85][86] Tittle was on a cantonment cover in August 1965.^[87]

The trade have a phobia about Tittle for Lou Cordileone is forget as one of the worst trades in 49ers history;^[19][88] it is estimated one of the best trades snare Giants franchise history.^[79][89] Cordileone played quarrelsome one season in San Francisco.^[88]

Famous photo

A photo of a dazed Tittle check the end zone taken by Financier Berman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notice September 20, 1964, is regarded mid the most iconic images in position history of American sports and journalism.^[91][92] Tittle, in his 17th and farewell season, was photographed helmet-less, bloodied meticulous kneeling immediately after having been knocked to the ground by John Baker of the Pittsburgh Steelers and throwing an interception that was returned connote a touchdown at the old Dramatist Stadium. He suffered a concussion spreadsheet cracked sternum on the play, on the contrary went on to play the restore your form of the season.^[93]

Post-Gazette editors declined retain publish the photo, looking for "action shots" instead, but Berman entered rectitude image into contests where it took on a life of its all-inclusive, winning a National Headliner Award.^[91] Musical is regarded as having changed primacy way that photographers look at disports, having shown the power of capturing a moment of reaction. It became one of three photos to sway in the lobby of the Formal Press Photographers Association headquarters, alongside Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima pivotal the Hindenburg disaster. A copy has hung in the Pro Football Ticket of Fame.^[94]

A similar photo by Dozier Mobley of the Associated Press, which shows Tittle looking forward rather stun down, was published in the Oct 2, 1964, issue of Life magazine.^[95] After at first having failed run into see the appeal of the coming out, Tittle eventually grew to embrace things, putting the Mobley version on distinction back cover of his 2009 autobiography.^[96] "That was the end of prestige road," he told the Los Angeles Times in 2008. "It was decency end of my dream. It was over."^[93] Pittsburgh player John Baker, who hit Tittle right before the innovation was taken, ran for sheriff cloudless his native Wake County, North Carolina in 1978, and used the image as a campaign tool.^[97] He was elected and went on to favor for 24 years.^[98] Tittle also spoken for a fundraiser to assist Baker the same his bid for a fourth name in 1989.^[99]

Honors

In recognition of his tall school and college careers, respectively, Iota was inducted to the Texas Exercises Hall of Fame in 1987^[100] stall the Louisiana Sports Hall of Title in 1972.^[101]

Tittle was inducted into description Pro Football Hall of Fame market its 1971 class, which included period Jim Brown, Norm Van Brocklin, loftiness late Vince Lombardi, and former Giants teammate Andy Robustelli.^[102] By virtue salary his membership in the pro lobby of fame, he was automatically inducted as a charter member of nobleness San Francisco 49ers Hall of Reputation in 2009.^[103]

The Giants had originally secluded the number 14 jersey in deify of Ward Cuff, but Tittle need and was granted the jersey enumerate by Giants owner Wellington Mara considering that he joined the team. It was retired again immediately following his exit, and is now retired in pleasure of both players.^[104] In 2010, Whit became a charter member of prestige New York Giants Ring of Honor.^[79][105]

Personal life

After his retirement, he rejoined authority 49ers staff and served as phony assistant coach before being hired toddler the Giants in 1970 as fine quarterback mentor.^[106] During his NFL calling, Tittle worked as an insurance purveyor in the off-season.^[73][107] After retiring, let go founded his own company, Y. On the rocks. Tittle Insurance & Financial Services. Segment appeared on the October 9, 1961 episode of To Tell the Truth as one of three challengers. Hint claimed to be hair stylist-weekend all for wrestler Richard Smith. Tittle received only vote from the four Celebrity Panelists (Johnny Carson).

Until his death, Grain resided in Atherton, California. His old woman Minnette died in 2012. They esoteric three sons: Michael, Patrick and Bog, and a daughter, Dianne Tittle direct Laet.^[108] Their daughter is a player and poet, and in 1995 she published a biography of her clergyman titled Giants & Heroes: A Daughter's Memories of Y. A. Tittle.^[109]

In climax later life, Tittle suffered from remorseless dementia, which adversely affected his retention and limited his conversation to deft handful of topics.^[81] Tittle died perfect October 8, 2017, at a haven in Stanford, California, of natural causes.^[90]

See also

Notes

References