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

Photo of the Rams Ed Meador with an Interception
Ram All-Pro Ed Meador with 1 of his 46 interceptions he had during his 12 years in the NFL.

Packers Fullback Jim Taylor vs the Colts | Early 1960s NFL
Packers fullback Jim Taylor hurdles over a pair of Colts, probably 1960. In 1960, Taylor's 1101 rushing yards was #2 in the NFL. The other Packer here, #78 is Norm Masters and the Colt #66 is linebacker Don Shinnick. Shinnick played 13 seasons - all in Baltimore. In 1959 his 7 interceptions tied two other defenders for the most in the league that season..

Len Dawson Dallas Texans Quarterback in 1962
After a disappointing 5 seasons in the NFL Len Dawson joined the Dallas Texans of the AFL in 1962 and led them to a 11-3 record and an AFL Title. Named AFL Player of the Year.

Bill Brown Runs Against the Giants Defense in 1965
After taking a handoff from rookie quarterback Bob Berry, Vikings running back Bill Brown carries against the New York Giants. In 1965 Bill Brown was selected to the Pro Bowl after having 1202 Total Yards from Scrimmage - 699 rushing yards & 503 yards receiving and scored 7 touchdowns. The Giants closing in are Andy Stynchula (#72), Jim Carroll (#60) and Roger Anderson (#73).

Vikings Mick Tingelhoff - NFL All Pro Center
Joined the Vikings as a Free Agent in 1962, Mick Tinglhoff of Nebraska became the Vikings starting center as a rookie and never missed a game his entire 17-year NFL career in Minnesota. 6 Pro Bowl selections and 5 All pro Teams.

Randy White and DD Lewis - 1977 Dallas Cowboys Defense
Hall of Fame Defensive Lineman Randy White and friends converge on a Chicago Bears runner, maybe from 1977. That's linebackers DD Lewis and Bob Breunig in the foreground.

Dick Butkus and the 1970 Chicago Bears Defense Stop Lion Charlie Sanders
Dick Butkus is soon intent on getting to Lions Tight End Charlie Sanders he has a handful of his own team mates jersey here in this 1970 Bears-Lions action.

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.