YA Tittle, at age 36, set a new NFL record with 33 passing touchdowns in 1962. A year later he broke that record with 36. Here he sets up to pass with Alex Webster providing pass protection.
YA Tittle and Alex Webster - New York Giants Greats
Another picture from the 1963 NFL Championship as Giants QB YA Tittle gets the pass away as Bears Earl Leggett and Doug Atkins force the issue. Giants tackle Jack Stroud, #66, is in the background.
YA Tittle, Giants throws against Doug Atkins & Earl Leggett of the Bears in 1963
A two-time All-SEC player from LSU YA Tittle originally started his pro career with the Baltimore Colts of the All-American Football Conference in 1948. When that league folded in 1951 he was picked up by San Francisco and remained there for 10 seasons.
YA Tittle, San Francisco 49er Quarterback
New York Giants of the early 1960s - Alex Webster heads into the line after taking a handoff from QB YA Tittle. #66 at the left is most probably guard Jack Stroud. Stroud played 12 years for the Giants.
Alex Webster and YA Tittle - 1960s NY Giants Backfield
Opening day of the 1963 NFL season - Giants and Colts. Giants quarterback YA Tittle gets protection as the Colts defense swarms all around. Rosey Brown battles Ordell Braase in the foreground while Jack Stroud keeps Gino Marchetti away. Tittle threw 3 touchdowns this day in a 37-28 win.
YA Tittle vs the Colts Defense in 1963
YA Tittle around 1963 - age 37, led the league with a 60.2% completion percentage while setting an NFL record for most touchdown passes in a season with 36.
Yelberton Abraham Tittle, NY Giants Quarterback
No stranger to ferocious hits Giants quarterback YA Tittle with one of the many injuries he received during his career.
YA Tittle Bleeding From His Eye
From the 1959 game between the 49ers and Rams at Kezar Stadium. YA Tittl eturns to hand off to running back Hugh McElhenny as Joe Perry counters in the other direction. The 49ers would blank the Rams this day 34-0.
YA Tittle hands off to Hugh McElhenny against the LA Rams in 1959
1963 Lions and Giants. YA Tittle turns to hand off the the Giants leading ball carrier in 1963 - halfback Phil King. Lions lineman Darris McCord and Alex Karras are ready to receive him. Giant #53 is veteran center Greg Larson who played 13 seasons in New York.
YA Tittle hands off to Phil King against Darris McCord & Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions in 1962
YA Tittle of the New York Giants gets going with Jim Houston of the Browns giving chase. In 1963, at age 37, Tittle had a career season completing 60% of his passes for 3145 yards - the first Giant quarterback to pass for over 3,000 yards. His league-high 36 touchdown passes are still a record in the New York franchise book.
YA Tittle chased by Jim Houston of the Cleveland Browns
Spent 10 seasons in San Francisco where he stated 78 games and passed for 108 touchdowns and over 16,000 yards. Here he sets up to pass against the Rams.
YA Tittle, San Francisco 49ers Quarterback from 1951 to 1960
Giants quarterback YA Tittle gets the pass off under pressure. In 1963 Tittle would lead New York to an NFL Eastern Division Title and a league Title Game appearance. It was the last post season game the Giants would attend until 1981 - 18 years later. #79 is Hall of Famer Rosey Brown.
YA Tittle & Rosey Brown, 1963 New York Giants
Giants quarterback YA Tittle drops back to pass behind his offense in 1961. #29 is Alex Webster, #35, Bob Gaiters, #53, Greg Larson (#53), center Ray Wietecha, #55 & the on-coming Ram is rookie Deacon Jones (#75).
YA Tittle drops back to pass | 1961 New York Giants Offense
Hall of Famers Rosey Brown and YA Tittle take a knee on the Giant's sideline probably sometime around 1964. Both legends were at the end of their long and distinguished careers. Tittle had a total of 17 years in the NFL and Brown had 13.
YA Tittle and Rosey Brown on Giants Sideline Around 1964
Two of the Old School NFL Greats - Hall of Fame quarterback YA Tittle and Hall of Fame defensive end Willie face-off on the field.
Willie Davis of the Packers puts pressure on YA Tittle of the Giants
Giants QB YA Tittle stands alone during the 1963 NFL title game against the Bears. He was 37 at this time and had just set a new NFL record of 36 touchdown passes.
YA Tittle during the 1963 Bears-Giants NFL Title Game
The offensive backfield that got the New York Giants to three consecutive trips to the NFL Championship Title Game in 1961, 1962 & 1963 - but lost all three times. From left to right: YA Tittle (#14), Alex Webster (#29), Frank Gifford (#16) & Phil King (#24)
YA Tittle, Alex Webster, Frank Gifford & Phil King of the New York Giants Early 1960s NFL Backfield
Lions cornerback can do little more than watch as Giants quarterback YA Tittle crosses the goal-line on a 4-yard boot leg in this 1962 contest between New York and Detroit. The Giants pulled the win off this day 17-14.
YA Tittle scores against Detroit in 1962
The 49er's YA Tittle was one of the most productive quarterbacks of his generation. He recorded four 2,000+ yard seasons during the 1950s.
YA Tittle of the San Francisco 49ers
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle has a big ol' hug for Giants quarterback YA Tittle. #66 is longtime Giants lineman Jack Stroud.
Bob Lilly Sacks YA Tittle
From the 1963 NFL Title Game between New York and Chicago. Giants QB YA Tittle has his leg rolled up during the 1st quarter as Bears linebacker Larry Morris (#33) comes in low. Big Doug Atkins (#81) comes in to assist. Tittle played the rest of the game hurting.
Larry Morris & Doug Atkins injure YA Tittle during the 1963 Bears/Giants Title Game
YA Tittle takes a moment to snap a picture with former Green Bay great Cecil Isbell before a game in 1959. Isbell was Tittle's head coach when he was with the Baltimore Colts of the old AAFC in the 1940s.
YA Tittle with Cecil Isbell in 1959
49ers QB YA Tittle scores on a 1-yard plunge against the Green Bay Packers in 1956. The 49ers won 17-16. #72 for the Packers is defensive lineman Jerry Helluin.
YA Tittle scores vs Green Bay in 1956
49ers Great Joe "The Jet" Perry (#34). Played a total of 14 seasons with San Francisco (played 2 with the Colts) and when he retired in 1963 he was the NFL's All Time Leader Rusher with 9723 yards - 8689 of those were with the 49ers. As of the 2022 season - almost 60 years later, that number still ranks #2 (behind Frank Gore) with the 49ers franchise Career rushing leaders. In the background team mate YA Tittle (#14) watches.
Joe Perry & YA Tittle of the San Francisco 49ers
Recently acquired from the Colts, Gene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb quickly instantly made his presence felt as a Steeler. Unofficially he had the most sacks in 1961 with 17.5. Here, along with other Steeler defenders, he forces a throw from Giants quarterback YA Tittle. Also pictured is linebacker #82 - longtime NFL veteran George Tarasovic who played 15 seasons.
Big Daddy Lipscomb Forces YA Tittle
Even facing away from the photographer, Giants quarterback YA Tittle strikes an iconic pose.
YA Tittle, Holding His Helmet on the Sideline, Facing Away from the Camera
A Rob Riger photo from the early 1960s of New York Giants quarterbacking legends Charlie Conerly and YA Tittle.
Charlie Conerly and YA Tittle, a Rob Riger Photo
Bears linebackers Bill George (#61) & Larry Morris (#33) have just brought a little heat on Giants QB YA Tittle (#14) during the 1963 NFL Championship game. The Bears pulled this one out 14-10 as the Bears defense collected 5 Giants interceptions in the win.
Joe Morrison (#40) doesn't look happy.
Bill George & Larry Morris with YA Tittle 1963 Bears- Giants NFL Title Game
The Giants veteran quarterback confers with Head Coach Allie Sherman in 1962.
YA Tittle with Head Coach Allie Sherman in 1962
Guiding the Giants to an NFL Championship showdown with the Packers in 1962.
Giants Quarterback YA Tittle in 1962
YA Tittle, 1962 New York Giants Quarterback
From the early 1960s decade - veteran quarterback YA Tittle of the giants gets a pass off under the menacing approach of Steelers lineman Lou Michaels.
Lou Michaels of the Steelers and YA Tittle of the Giants
San Francisco quarterback from 1951 to 1960 - started 78 games. Left as the 49ers All-Time leader in passing yards with 16,016 yards to his credit.
YA Tittle 49ers Quarterback of the 1950s
One of the most respected quarterbacks in NFL History. The above picture, from the 1961 season - he has just been traded to the New York Giants.
He ended up with league MVP honors passing for over 2200 yards as he led the Giants to an Eastern Division title.
Visible in the foreground are #80, Joe Walton and #79, Hall of Famer Rosey Brown.
YA Tittle as the 1961 New York Giants Quarterback
2 aging stars in the twilight of their careers. In 1961 YA Tittle joined the Giants and when Gifford rejoined the team in 1962 both men retired after the 1964 campaign. During that period from 1961 to 1964 the Giants won 3 East Divisional Titles while Tittle proved his career was hardly over with 3 Pro Bowl selections and making the All-Pro team 1962 and 1963. Gifford returned in 1962 after sitting out a year following that hellacious hit he received from Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik as a receiver. He made the Pro Bowl in 1963.
YA Tittle with Frank Gifford New York Giants
Taken from a public relations game program in 1964. Tittle was entering his 17th NFL season as a New York Giant. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
YA Tittle 1964 Tulane Game Program
Cast off by San Francisco in 1960 after being deemed "Too Slow" to run the offense, YA Tittle was traded to New York for Defensive Lineman Lou Cordileone (who couldn't believe he was considered valuable enough for such a swap). Tittle responded by leading the Giants to consecutive NFL title games from 1960 to 1963.
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Some classic images from San Francisco photographer Frank Rippon of YA Tittle (#14) and the 49er offense.
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Some classic images from San Francisco photographer Frank Rippon of YA Tittle (#14) and the 49er offense.
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