NFL Past Players: Exploring the History of Professional Football

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Welcome to NFL Past Players, a collection of stories, photographs, statistics, and historical information all about the men and the teams that shaped professional football. From the early years of the NFL through the championship teams and standout players of the 20th century, this site explores the game through the players who played it and the moments that made their careers memorable.

The history of the NFL is more than a list of championships and statistics. It was made by the players who took the field, the teams they represented, and the eras in which they played. Explore the championship traditions of the New York Giants, the rise of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the early success of the San Francisco 49ers, and the many other teams that have contributed to professional football history.

Vintage NFL Photographs, Players and Statistics

Whether you’re researching a Hall of Fame player, looking for information about a particular team or era, studying career statistics, or simply remembering the players you watched years ago, NFL Past Players is a place to explore the history of the game.

From Jim Brown and Johnny Unitas to Gale Sayers, Joe Namath, Archie Manning and the many lesser-known players who helped build professional football, the goal is simple: preserve their place in NFL history and provide the stories behind the names, photographs, and statistics.

Explore the players. Remember the teams. Discover the history of the NFL.

Latest Vintage NFL Pictures Added

Sonny Jurgensen 1969 Sport Magazine October Cover
October, 1969 issue of Sport Magazine with Washington Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen on the cover.

Jets Quarterback Al Woodall Pressured By Bubba Smith
1970 NFL - Big Bubba Smith tosses Jet lineman Dave Foley to the side as he comes face to face with Al Woodall. Joe Namath had been injured in week five against these same Colts and Woodall was pressed into the starting lineup for the rest of the season. New York ended up with a total of 4 wins for the 1970 NFL season. Baltimore would defeat the Cowboys in Super Bowl V.

Rich Jackson and the Denver Broncos Defense in 1970
Rich Jackson, along with fellow Bronco defenders Pete Duranko and Paul Smith, congregate over a fallen Len Dawson. If sacks would have been tracked in 1970, the Broncos would have been #2 in the newly merged league with 50 - Paul Smith led Denver with 11½, Jackson had 10 and Duranko, 7.

Roger Brown Sacks Bart Starr in the 1962 Thanksgiving Day Massacre Game
From the Thanksgiving Day game of 1962. The Lions handed the Packers their only loss of the season, a 26–14 defeat that was far more one-sided than the final score suggests. Known as the “Thanksgiving Day Massacre,” Detroit’s defense completely stifled the Packers’ offense, sacking Bart Starr 10 times and holding the great Jim Taylor to just 47 yards rushing. The Packers trailed 26–0 in the third quarter before finally getting on the scoreboard. Willie Davis recovered a fumble in the Lions’ end zone for one touchdown, and Taylor scored on a 4-yard run following another Detroit fumble at the Lions’ own 14-yard line. Here, Roger Brown is about to bring down Starr. I couldn’t find anything definitive on how the 10 sacks were divided among the Lions defenders, although one source credits Brown with six sacks and a safety in the game. Unofficially, Brown is credited with 14 sacks and two safeties during the 1962 NFL season.

Ernie Ladd Tackles A Boston Patriot Runner in 1961
6-foot 9-inch, 290 pound rookie Ernie Ladd of Grambling has a Boston Patriot runner in his grasp in this early 1960s AFL Chargers-Patriots battle. The Charger in the background looks like tackle Jerry DeLucca. The inset is the predicted finishes of the AFL for the 1963 season by the sports magazine All-Pro Football. They were close with the East Division Results. Boston and Buffalo ended up in a tie for first place and The Patriots would win out in one-game showdown between the two clubs. In the West, the Chargers would edge out the Raiders by one game for the top spot. In the end it was San Diego crowned the 1963 AFL Champion after a 51-10 demolishing of Boston in the Title Game.

Bobby Mitchell and Dicky Moegle - Browns/ Steelers 1961 NFL
Old School NFL – 1961! Browns halfback Bobby Mitchell takes off after hauling in a pass against Pittsburgh. Steelers defender Dicky Moegle (#47) moves in after hurdling Browns blocker Dick Schafrath (#77). The 1961 season would be Mitchell’s last in Cleveland. He joined the Washington Redskins in 1962, beginning the next chapter of his outstanding NFL career.

The Vikings Fran Tarkenton Scrambling
Scrambling sensation Fran Tarkenton thrilled fans and frustrated defenses with his scrambling - especially during the early years of his career with the Vikings. But defenses did manage to get to him from time to time. During his 18-year career he was sacked a total of 570 times. His 5207 Yards Lost is still a #1 All-Time Record in NFL Books.

Russ Francis makes a catch against Buffalo in 1977
Patriots Tight End Russ Francis with a grab in 1977. That's Bill's veteran Tony Greene in coverage.

Dick Bass, College Of The Pacific All American
A 1st Round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1960, Dick Bass was an exciting All-American running back at the College Of The Pacific. In 1958 he led the NCAA with 1361 yards and 16 touchdowns scored. He went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL - all in Los Angeles.

1970s Cardinals Great - Terry Metcalf
The Cardinals Terry Metcalf looks like he's about to spring a long one. In his 6 seasons in the NFL he had over 5900 Yards from Scrimmage, averaging 5.9 Yards-per-Touch and 10,001 All-Purpose Yards.

YA Tittle - Tough Old School NFL Quarterback
An image reminisce of the physical harshness of the Old School Era of NFL Football - Giants quarterback YA Tittle, already a familiar subject of multiple images depicting the brutal conditions faced by QBs of that time, nurses an injury on the sideline. The story that goes with this picture is Tittle has just scored a 21-yard run against the Cardinals in 1962.

Lem Barney and the 1967 Lions Defense Breaks Up a Vikings Pass
With a little help from his friends, Rookie corner back Lem Barney breaks up this Vikings pass attempt. In 1967 Barney (along with the Saint's Dave Whitsell) had a league-high 10 interceptions. That's the 1968 Detroit Lions game schedule in the insert.