Y. A. Tittle

[Rustyt1953]

He was the first pro football player to grace the cover.

The bracket was to prevent the helmet from caving in and allowed it to double as a beer stein:

 

[Targets Guy]

I haven't watched football in 40 some years (and given the current situation, probably never will again). But I had to open this thread when I saw a name I actually recognized.

Anybody remember when the Lions had Night Train Lane?

A name out of the past. The Lions were my team after Alex Karras (from Iowa) went there)). Loved watching the Lions play the Bears and the Packers.

 

[Jack Flash]

What memories!! ... I remember watching them play the L.A. Rams who had Norm Van Brocklin, Billy Wade, Del Shofner, Paul "Tank Younger, and Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch. ...

I remember Roman Gabriel ... Was there some rule back then that quarterbacks had to have an unusual first name?

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...thanks for the memories...Y. A.

 

[Rustyt1953]

My favorite Karras quote was after the Lions suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the waning seconds, he was asked how he felt about kickers:

"We bust our collective butts for 59 minutes and a coach yells: 'hey Boris, go kick a touchdown'!

He also said that Otis Sistrunk played for the University of Mars.

 

[Jack Flash]

A name out of the past. The Lions were my team after Alex Karras (from Iowa) went there)). Loved watching the Lions play the Bears and the Packers.

My favorite games were the Lions against the Vikes. Both teams were known for having an extremely tough defense. Games would often end with a score of 9 to 6 or 10 to 7.

Every game was like a grudge match. You got the feeling that these two teams genuinely did NOT like each other. One of the Lions, I can't remember his name, said of playing the Vikes: "No matter what the final score was, you knew you were in a football game."

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...my favorite Alex Karras quote..."if we lose...I will walk back to Detroit"...

...the very first meeting between the NFL and AFL...Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions...August 5 1967...played in the old and long gone Hilltop Stadium at Denver University...I was there...

...Detroit did lose...13-7...but I don't think Alex walked home...

 

[bigolddave]

That picture is from the NFL title game, I believe in 1963. Bears and Giants, and the Bears won. That was when the Bears were truly "The Monsters of the Midway".

Twenty years ago, I worked with a man whose father had played for the Bears from about 1940 to 1950. His name was Ray Bray, the man I worked with was Ray Bray Jr.. He said his dad was the strongest man on the team; played both ways, and weighed 235 pounds as a guard. Best year he made 35K, which doesn't sound like much these days, but was pretty good in 1950. Ray Jr. had a sweater and pin from the Bears championship in 1940. Ray Jr. was not little, but a whole lot smaller than you would expect of the son of an NFL lineman. His dad said he never should have married a petite woman.

 

[Targets Guy]

...my favorite Alex Karras quote..."if we lose...I will walk back to Detroit"...

...the very first meeting between the NFL and AFL...Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions...August 5 1967...played in the old and long gone Hilltop Stadium at Denver University...I was there...

...Detroit did lose...13-7...but I don't think Alex walked home...

We almost have something in common. My first AFL (or any pro game) game was Dec 4, 1966. It was my 21st birthday and I figured the only place I could go to buy a beer was the pro game in Denver. Saw the Broncs play the Dolphins. When I went up to buy the beer the guy didn't even card me. I asked him to card me. Showed him my ID and he gave me the beer. Thanks for shaking loose that memory.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The first home game for the Cincinnati Bengals was September 15, 1968 at UC's Nippert Stadium (3rd oldest in the U.S.). I was there with my dad and we beat the Broncos. It was exhilarating.

Before we had our own team, I had to root for the Browns.(Glad that's over)

Cleveland, Cincinnati and football in general owe a lot to Paul Brown.

I severed ties with the NFL last year. Part of me misses it but between tending my plants, cleaning/admiring my guns, checking Ruthie's homework and chasing JR, my Sundays are well spent.

 

[HardlyAble2]

1957...church has father/son day. YA and the niners vs ?? at Kezar Stadium. Much excitement, much smoke. much man talk, much juvenile awe...
I remember it to this day..rip y.a. and thanks dad...

 

[loknload]

Here's one of favorites from the past!
When the game was what it was,,,Not all about money!

 

[Rustyt1953]

Donavan was a hoot. When he made the talk show circuits, they would have to constantly remind him not to curse on air.

 

[loknload]

Yes he was and was one heck of a player as well. Use to love to hear his stories!
Somehow I missed this when it came out

 

[jag312]

This a little after Y.A. Tittle left the 49ers. When we were in high school, one of my friends got a job selling hotdogs at Kezar Stadium during the 49er games. He got to know a local San Francisco kid who was also selling hotdogs. Later, we got to play against this San Francisco kid in college; O.J. Simpson. Beside being pretty good at playing football, he was also pretty selling hotdogs.

 

[RudyN]

I sure remember Y.A. and the old 49ers who played in Kezar Stadium. My grandparents lived next door to a family whose daughter married Billy Wilson.

 

[jag312]

I sure remember Y.A. and the old 49ers who played in Kezar Stadium. My grandparents lived next door to a family whose daughter married Billy Wilson.

Billy Wilson was one of the best pass receivers to ever play the game. When Y.A. threw the ball, you could bet that Billy would catch it, and then run for more yardage. He was an incredibly nice gentleman. Not like any of the thugs who play the game today. He always had time for us kids in the off season. I do not know why he is not in The Hall of Fame.

 

[paulie.4x]

Don't Y'all forget Number 32, Ole Jimmy Brown.,,.p

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