Hall of Fame quarterback and 1963 NFL Most Valuable Player Y.A.
Tittle died Sunday. He was 90.
LSU, his alma mater, confirmed today that Tittle passed while
surrounded by his family and friends.
Born Yelberton Abraham Tittle on Oct. 24, 1926, Tittle played
collegiately with the Tigers from 1944-47 before being drafted by
the Detroit Lions in 1948. However, Tittle began his 17-season
professional career with the Baltimore Colts of the All-American
Football Conference and later played for the San Francisco 49ers
and New York Giants, with whom he led to three straight division
titles.
Known as “The Bald Eagle” for his receding hairline, Tittle won the
NFL MVP award in 1963 while tossing a then-record 36 touchdown
passes in a season. That record held until Dan Marino of the Miami
Dolphins threw for 48 in 1984.
Tittle still remains tied with seven other players — including
Peyton Manning and Drew Brees — for the most touchdown passes
(seven) in a single game in NFL history. He tied the mark in a 1962
game against the Washington Redskins.
Tittle never won a championship but was shown in an iconic photo
taken by Dozier Mobley during his final season in 1964. The picture
depicted the then-37-year-old quarterback kneeling in exhaustion
and pain from an injured rib with blood dripping down his face.
Tittle was the lone quarterback of his generation to throw at least
30 touchdown passes in back-to-back seasons, accomplishing the feat
with the Giants. He passed for 33,070 yards and 242 TDs in two
leagues during his career before being elected to the Pro Football
Hall of Fame in 1971.
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