Highlighted Year: Tom Dempsey, 1969

Placekicker, New Orleans Saints

Age: 22

3^rd season in pro football (2^nd active), 1^st in NFL & with Saints

College: Palomar Junior College

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 264

Prelude:

Born without a right hand and with no toes on his right (kicking) foot, Dempsey seemed an unlikely football player. Still, he played offensive tackle in high school and defensive end, in addition to placekicking, at California’s Palomar Junior College. Dempsey spent 1967 in the Atlantic Coast Football League with the Lowell Giants where he booted just two field goals but a league-leading 42 extra points and joined San Diego’s taxi squad in ’68, where a special kicking shoe was designed for him that would, in time, generate controversy. While capable of kicking for distance with his size and leg strength, accuracy was a chronic problem.

1969 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 22 [3, tied with Bruce Gossett]

Most field goals, game – 4 at NY Giants 11/16, vs. Philadelphia 11/30

Field goal attempts – 41 [1]

Most field goal attempts, game – 7 vs. Philadelphia 11/30

Field goal percentage – 53.7 [6]

PATs – 33 [7, tied with Pete Gogolak, Bob Etter & Lou Michaels]

PAT attempts – 35 [7]

Longest field goal – 55 yards at LA Rams 10/5

Scoring

Field Goals – 22

PATs – 33

Points – 99 [5]

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Saints went 5-9 to finish third in the NFL Capitol Division.   

Aftermath:

Dempsey gained notoriety during a 1970 season in which he kicked a 63-yard game-winning field goal against Detroit, which exceeded the previous NFL record by seven yards. He hit on 18 of 34 field goal attempts overall, with three of 50 yards or more but with three misses inside the 30 and just one of five good between 30 and 39 yards. Dempsey lost out to Skip Butler in the 1971 preseason but caught on with the Philadelphia Eagles and, active for the last five games, led the NFL in field goal percentage (70.6) while connecting on 12 of 17 three-pointers, including a then-club record 54-yard kick. He spent three more seasons with the Eagles and had a six-field goal game in ’72. His most productive year in Philadelphia was in 1973 when he made good on 24 of 40 field goal attempts (60.0 %) and 34 extra points with no misses. However, with the goal posts moved to the back of the end zone in 1974 Dempsey attempted just 16 field goals, was successful on 10 of them, and missed four of his 30 extra point attempts. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1975 and, while his field goal percentage rose to 80.8 as he succeeded on 21 of 26 attempts, he continued to struggle with extra points. Dempsey’s performance slipped in ’76, his last with the Rams, and he spent time with the Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills before his career ended in 1979. Overall in the NFL, he kicked 159 field goals out of 258 attempts (61.6 %) and added 252 extra points, with 30 misses, for a total of 729 points. With the Saints, he was 40 of 75 on field goals (53.3 %) and 49 of 52 on PATs for 169 points. He received his lone Pro Bowl selection with New Orleans, as well as his greatest fame with the 63-yard field goal that remained the NFL record until 2013.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

Highlighted Year: Lem Barney, 1969

Cornerback, Detroit Lions

Age: 24 (Sept. 8)

3^rd season in pro football & with Lions

College: Jackson State

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 185

Prelude:

Recruited as a quarterback, Barney was shifted to cornerback and intercepted 26 passes in three college seasons and received All-Southwestern Conference honors after each. Although relatively unknown coming out of a small college, he was chosen by the Lions in the second round of the 1967 NFL draft and moved directly into the starting lineup with outstanding results. Barney co-led the NFL with 10 interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns, and also handled the team’s punting. He received second-team All-NFL honors from the NEA and New York Daily News, was named to the Pro Bowl, and was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year as chosen by the Associated Press. Barney followed up in 1968 by intercepting another 7 passes and garnering consensus first-team All-NFL recognition in addition to a second Pro Bowl selection. Physical as well as fast, he was an instinctive ball hawk and excellent in man-to-man coverage.

1969 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 8 [2, tied with Bobby Bryant]

Most interceptions, game – 1 on eight occasions

Int. return yards – 126 [3]

Most int. return yards, game – 32 (on 1 int.) at Pittsburgh 9/21

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 7

Yards – 154

Average per return – 22.0

TDs – 0

Longest return – 32 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 9 [20, tied with five others]

Yards – 191 [3]

Average per return – 21.2

TDs – 1 [1, tied with Travis Williams & Ricky Harris]

Longest return – 74 yards

Rushing

Attempts – 3

Yards – 36

Average gain – 12.0

TDs – 0

Punting

Punts – 66 [9]

Most punts, game – 10 vs. Minnesota 11/27

Yards – 2249 [12]

Average – 34.1 [15]

Best average, game – 40.0 (on 3 punts) vs. St. Louis 11/16

Punts blocked – 1

Longest punt – 53 yards

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: Hall of Fame, AP, PFWA, UPI, NEA, NY Daily News, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Lions went 9-4-1 to finish second in the Central Division  of the NFL Western Conference while ranking second in the league in fewest yards (3084) and fewest points (188) allowed.

Aftermath:

A contract dispute followed by an ankle injury led to a lesser performance in 1970, and while Barney still intercepted 7 passes, his tendency to gamble for the big play caused him to get burned often as well. He came back to regain Pro Bowl stature four more times in a career that lasted until 1977, all with the Lions. Overall, Barney intercepted 56 passes, seven of which were returned for touchdowns, and he also averaged 9.2 yards on 143 punt returns and 25.5 yards running back 50 kickoffs. Used less as a punter, he had a 35.5-yard average on 113 kicks. Barney had 11 TDs in all, a testament to his big-play ability, and five of them came on plays that covered over 50 yards. He was a consensus first-team All-Pro twice, received at least second-team recognition on three other occasions, and was named to the Pro Bowl seven times. Barney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1992.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1969: Vince Lombardi Introduced as Head Coach of Redskins

On February 6, 1969 the owner of the Washington Redskins, Edward Bennett Williams, introduced Vince Lombardi as the team’s new head coach, executive vice-president, and part-owner at a press conference held at the Sheraton-Carlton Hotel, two blocks from the White House.

The 55-year-old Lombardi was hardly an unknown quantity to the assembled media, and his quip that “to set the record straight, I can’t walk across the Potomac even when it’s frozen” reflected the high esteem to which he was held, as well as the high expectations that accompanied his arrival in Washington. He had led the Green Bay Packers to an 89-29-4 record from 1959 through ’67, winning six Western Conference titles in those nine seasons and five NFL Championships. Three of those league titles were consecutive and the last two were topped by victories in the first two Super Bowls. He stepped down as head coach at that point, although he remained the team’s general manager in 1968.

Restless in a front office role, Lombardi was open to a return to coaching, and while rumors had him going to any one of several teams with coaching vacancies, he had hit it off well with Williams, who offered an ownership share in the team in addition to complete control over personnel. There had been a delay in the hiring due to the Packers being slow in agreeing to release Lombardi from his contract, which had five years left to run, but the way was finally cleared for him to move on (Phil Bengtson, who had succeeded Lombardi as head coach, took over the GM duties as well). 

Green Bay had been a losing team in the decade preceding his arrival, and now Lombardi would be taking over a Washington club that had not finished with a winning record since 1955. Most recently, they had gone 17-22-3 in three years under the guidance of Lombardi’s predecessor, Otto Graham, and the best record was 7-7 in the first of those seasons. The team had featured the passing game, with QB Sonny Jurgensen throwing to an excellent group of receivers that included split end Charley Taylor, flanker Bobby Mitchell, and TE Jerry Smith. But Jurgensen was coming off of a sub-par, injury-plagued season in ’68 and Mitchell, moved back to his original position of halfback, was less productive while Smith was shifted to flanker. Moreover, Jurgensen would be 35 by the opening of the 1969 season and Mitchell 34, and there was much speculation as to how the paunchy quarterback, known for his after-hours carousing, would get along with the strict head coach, who nevertheless spoke highly of him during the introductory press conference.

In his remarks to the assembled media, Lombardi also emphasized the need to improve the running game, and Washington’s had been mediocre in recent years.  In 1968, HB Gerry Allen led the club with 399 yards while averaging 3.2 yards per attempt. The line had talent, most notably Pro Bowl center Len Hauss. The defense gave up 4683 yards and 358 points in ‘68, but had able performers at linebacker and in the backfield. OLB Chris Hanburger was outstanding, and Lombardi coaxed 35-year-old MLB Sam Huff out of retirement to lend his veteran presence. Pat Fischer and Rickie Harris were capable cornerbacks, and SS Brig Owens intercepted eight passes.   

“As of now everybody turns out fresh and with a new start,” summed up Lombardi regarding the personnel that he was inheriting. “That’s the only decent thing to do. This is a new regime.”

The Redskins got off to a 4-1-1 start in 1969 before giving up 41 points apiece in losses to the Colts and Cowboys, with a tie against Philadelphia in between. The end result was 7-5-2, a notable improvement and similar to the 7-5 record in Lombardi’s first year in Green Bay.

Sonny Jurgensen was healthy and benefited from Lombardi’s coaching, leading the league in overall passing in addition to attempts (442), completions (274), completion percentage (62.0), and yards (3102), although he was also sacked 40 times. While Bobby Mitchell retired during training camp, ex-Packer Bob Long caught 48 passes for 533 yards (11.1 avg.) in his place at flanker. Charley Taylor was solid once again with 71 receptions for 883 yards (12.4 avg.) and eight touchdowns and Jerry Smith was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection at tight end with his 54 catches for 682 yards (12.6 avg.) and nine TDs.

Gerry Allen and FB Henry Dyer were the starting running backs in the season-opening game, but they were replaced by HB Larry Brown and FB Charley Harraway in the second half, and it was Brown and Harraway the rest of the way. Brown, a rookie eighth round draft choice out of Kansas State, excelled once Lombardi recognized that a hearing problem caused him to be habitually late off the snap count and had him fitted with a hearing aid. He led the team with 888 yards on 202 carries (4.4 avg.), which was the highest rushing total for a Washington running back in 18 years, and added another 302 yards on 34 catches. Harraway, who had spent his first three seasons with Cleveland, gained 428 yards on the ground and caught 55 passes for 489 yards while proving to be an able blocker.  

Len Hauss again went to the Pro Bowl, but the offensive line lacked overall consistency. The defense, while improved, still had holes, giving up 319 points. The pass rush was lacking but, on the upside, Chris Hanburger was joined by rookie Harold McLinton at linebacker, with good results, and the backfield remained a strong suit, with Pat Fischer and Mike Bass at the corners and Brig Owens and Rickie Harris at safety. 

Unfortunately for the Redskins, and tragically for Lombardi, there would be no second season to build upon the initial success. The legendary coach was diagnosed with cancer the following June and died on September 3, 1970. Bill Austin, an assistant coach in Green Bay who reunited with Lombardi in Washington following a head coaching stint with the Steelers, guided the club to a 6-8 record in ’70 and it would be another coach, George Allen, who would take the Redskins to the playoffs in 1971 and the NFC Championship in ‘72. Larry Brown, Charley Harraway, and Harold McLinton, as well as Charley Taylor, Jerry Smith, Len Hauss, Pat Fischer, Brig Owens, and Chris Hanburger, would be part of those playoff teams (so would Sonny Jurgensen, but as an injury-plagued backup to Bill Kilmer). In his brief stay in Washington, Vince Lombardi managed to lay groundwork that Allen would be able to build upon.

Highlighted Year: Dan Abramowicz, 1969

Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints

Age: 24

3^rd season in pro football & with Saints

College: Xavier (OH)

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

Abramowicz caught 120 passes for 1685 yards and 14 touchdowns in college but was considered too slow by pro scouts and the expansion Saints took him in the 17^th round of the 1967 NFL draft. He moved into the starting lineup midway through his rookie season and caught 50 passes for 721 yards (14.4 avg.) and six TDs. What Abramowicz lacked in speed he made up for with reliability and a knack for getting open. He followed up in 1968 with 54 receptions for 890 yards (16.5 avg.) and seven touchdowns.

1969 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 73 [1] 

Most receptions, game – 9 (for 115 yds.) vs. Baltimore 10/19, (for 105 yds.) at Atlanta 12/7

Yards – 1015 [3]

Most yards, game – 129 (on 8 catches) vs. Pittsburgh 12/21

Average gain – 13.9

TDs – 7 [11, tied with Wendell Tucker, Joe Morrison & Dave Williams]

100-yard receiving games – 4

Rushing

Attempts – 3

Yards – 61

Average gain – 20.3

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 7

Points – 42

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, NEA

2^nd team All-NFL: NY Daily News, Sporting News

Saints went 5-9 to finish third in the Capitol Division of the NFL Eastern Conference.

Aftermath:

Abramowicz followed up with 55 catches for 906 yards (16.5 avg.) and five touchdowns in 1970. While still a well-regarded possession receiver, his numbers dropped in 1971 and ’72 and he was traded to San Francisco during the 1973 season, where he caught 35 passes for 442 yards (12.6 avg.). Following one more year with the 49ers, he was briefly with the Buffalo Bills, catching no passes in 1975, his final NFL season. Along the way, he caught at least one pass in 105 consecutive games, which was the NFL record at the time. Overall, Abramowicz had 369 catches for 5686 yards (15.4 avg.) and 39 touchdowns. He was one of the first two players named to the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1988 (along with Archie Manning).

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1969: Eagles Trade Bob Brown to Rams

On May 12, 1969 star OT Bob Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles came to new GM Pete Retzlaff’s office and demanded to be traded. He was accommodated later that very day. Brown was sent to the Los Angeles Rams along with another disgruntled player, DB Jim Nettles, for OT Joe Carollo, G Don Chuy, and DB Irv Cross.

“I am so ecstatic I can hardly find words to describe my feelings,” said Brown. “I just feel great.”

“Bob Brown is the finest offensive lineman in pro football,” declared Rams Head Coach George Allen. “With Brown and Charlie Cowan, the Rams will have the finest set of offensive tackles in the game.”

Coach Allen’s enthusiasm seemed appropriate, for the 6’4”, 295-pound Brown was widely considered to be one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. He had been Philadelphia’s first draft pick in 1964 (second overall) out of Nebraska and the Eagles outbid the AFL’s Denver Broncos for his services. He moved into the starting lineup despite suffering from a tonsil infection that caused him to lose weight. Recovered and up over 290 pounds in ’65, Brown was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl selection for the first of two straight years. Fast and aggressive, he earned the nickname “The Boomer” for his ferocious style of play. Even on passing plays, he was inclined to plow into opposing pass rushers rather than drop back.

“I’m not a finesse lineman like a lot of tackles in this league,” explained Brown. “There’s nothing fancy about me. I’m about as fancy as a sixteen-pound sledge hammer. I’m basic.”

In the eighth game of the 1967 season, Brown suffered torn tendons in his right knee and was knocked out of action for the rest of the year. It broke a string of 50 straight starts going back to his rookie season. He underwent surgery and his weight dropped to 250 pounds. However, he regained both his weight and his form with the 2-12 Eagles, once again receiving All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition. Unlike many of the veteran players on the team who actively disliked GM/Head Coach Joe Kuharich, Brown had a great deal of respect for him and, with his ouster following the ’68 season, he determined to leave the club.

There were plenty of questions asked in the wake of the trade as to whether the Eagles had adequately filled Brown’s spot on the offensive line. There was certainly no long-term return from the three players that were received.

Joe Carollo, a product of Notre Dame, was 6’2” and 252 pounds and had played seven years in the NFL. He had never missed a game with the Rams, was selected to the Pro Bowl in ’68, and appeared in every contest over two seasons with the Eagles before returning to LA. Carollo was consistent, but not nearly as distinguished as the player he replaced at right tackle.

The 6’1”, 255-pound Don Chuy was in his sixth season out of Clemson. A native of Nutley, NJ he was capable of playing from either guard position and had expressed a desire to be traded. Chuy had lost his starting job to Tom Mack after injury-plagued seasons in 1966 and ’67. His career came to a premature end during the 1969 season when he suffered a shoulder injury and was then found to have a blood clot in his lung that forced his retirement (he would go on to successfully sue the Eagles after the team physician was reported in the media as saying he had a fatal blood disease).

Irv Cross was returning to the club that originally drafted him and for which he had played with distinction for five years, but while Cross had twice been a Pro Bowl performer, he was now nearing the end of his career. It was anticipated that he might even retire to join the new coaching staff, and he was a player/coach in 1969 before becoming exclusively an assistant coach in ’70.

As for Brown, he continued to excel with the Rams. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in both 1969 and ’70 as well as receiving Pro Bowl honors. Los Angeles was a more successful team than the Eagles, winning the Coastal Division with an 11-3 record in ’69 and going a respectable 9-4-1 in 1970. But contract difficulties caused LA to deal the star tackle to the Oakland Raiders after two seasons.

Brown made an immediate impression on his new teammates by shattering a wooden training camp goal post with his forearms, and he gained Pro Bowl honors one last time in 1971. However, chronic knee problems became more of an issue. While he made a quick recovery from surgery during the ’71 season, his return to action was probably too quick and he again underwent surgery afterward. Two years later, at age 32, his career was over. It was a notable career, for sure, as he was a first-team All-Pro following five of his ten seasons and gained selection to the Pro Bowl six times. He was eventually inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2004.

The other player the Eagles sent to LA, Jim Nettles, played four years, appearing at cornerback and safety, and intercepted 16 passes. He was primarily a backup during his time with the Rams.

1969: Steelers Edge Lions in Chuck Noll’s Coaching Debut

The Pittsburgh Steelers were rebuilding once again with a new head coach as they opened the 1969 NFL season against the Detroit Lions on September 21. Since coming into the league in 1933 the Steelers had known far more losing seasons than winning ones, including 1968 when they went 2-11-1. Chuck Noll (pictured at right), a defensive assistant most recently with the Colts, replaced the departed Bill Austin as head coach. A promising defensive tackle out of North Texas State, “Mean Joe” Greene, had been drafted in the first round and the club had also drafted a quarterback, Notre Dame’s Terry Hanratty, but it would be the mediocre Dick Shiner behind center for the opener. Third-round draft pick FB Warren Bankston out of Tulane was in the game due to injuries to halfbacks Dick Hoak and Don McCall; Noll shifted Earl Gros to halfback and started Bankston at fullback.

The Lions, coached by former star linebacker Joe Schmidt, were coming off a 4-8-2 record in ’68 but seemed to be in a much better position entering the new season. The offense featured QB Bill Munson, HB Mel Farr, TE Charlie Sanders, and C Ed Flanagan and there were rising stars on defense such as CB Lem Barney and LB Paul Naumoff.

There was a crowd of 51,360 in attendance at Pitt Stadium. In the first quarter, Bankston fumbled and safety Tom Vaughn recovered for the Lions at the Pittsburgh 29. Detroit got a first down but the series stalled and Errol Mann kicked a 23-yard field goal for the first score of the game.

Later in the opening period, Detroit FB Bill Triplett fumbled the ball away with DT Chuck Hinton recovering at the Lions’ 27. Dick Shiner threw two incomplete passes and ran for seven yards before Gene Mingo booted a 27-yard field goal to tie the score.

The Steelers put together a drive in which they picked up four first downs during the second quarter. After going 58 yards to the Detroit 11, the home team could get no further and Mingo kicked another field goal, this time from 18 yards. Pittsburgh got a break a few plays later when Munson, being sacked by Hinton, fumbled and the Steelers gained possession at the Detroit 24. However, following two runs by Bankston, Earl Gros fumbled the ball back to the Lions.

The turnovers continued as LB Jerry Hillebrand intercepted a Munson pass and returned it 14 yards to the Detroit 24. It resulted in another Mingo field goal, this time from 40 yards, for a 9-3 Pittsburgh lead.

The Lions suffered yet another turnover when Mel Farr fumbled after catching a pass at the Pittsburgh 46. With only 12 seconds left in the half, Shiner went long but was picked off by Lem Barney, who returned it 32 yards to the Pittsburgh 28. The clock was now down to four seconds and Mann tried a 37-yard field goal that sailed wide to the right. The Steelers maintained their six-point lead at the intermission.

Early in the third quarter the Steelers punted and Bobby Walden’s 56-yard kick sailed to the Detroit three. The Lions had to punt it back and gave Pittsburgh good field position near midfield. However, the offense couldn’t take advantage and Mingo missed on a 45-yard field goal try. The Lions responded by moving the ball effectively but a pass to WR Earl McCullouch in the end zone was dropped and Mann kicked a 23-yard field goal to narrow Pittsburgh’s margin to 9-6.

Half way through the fourth quarter, Bankston fumbled for the second time and DT Alex Karras recovered at the Pittsburgh 27. A defensive holding penalty moved the Lions closer and finally Munson found McCullouch in the end zone, who held on for a 12-yard TD. Mann converted the PAT and the disgruntled home fans booed loudly with the score now 13-9 in favor of the visitors.

The Steelers responded by covering 68 yards in seven plays. Following the ensuing kickoff, Shiner was sacked by DE Joe Robb for a three-yard loss and he then threw an incomplete pass to make it third-and-long. A toss to TE John Hilton picked up 23 yards to keep the possession alive and moved the ball into Detroit territory at the 48.

With time running down, WR Roy Jefferson ran for 12 yards on an end-around and then caught a pass for seven more. A key play occurred when Shiner threw for Jefferson again but safety Mike Weger tipped the ball. However, Jefferson alertly grabbed it and went out of bounds at the Detroit six for a 23-yard gain. Bankston, who had the two costly fumbles, redeemed himself as he scored the go-ahead touchdown on a six-yard run around end in which he broke three tackles. There was still time, but on a fourth-and-one play the Lions failed to convert when Triplett was stopped short and the Steelers held on for a 16-13 win.

Total yards were split almost evenly, with Pittsburgh edging the Lions by a yard (237 to 236). Detroit had more first downs (14 to 12). The Lions recorded four sacks as opposed to one for Pittsburgh while both teams turned the ball over four times apiece.

Dick Shiner (pictured above) completed 10 of 26 passes for 143 yards with one intercepted. Warren Bankston ran for 52 yards and a TD on 14 carries. Roy Jefferson caught four passes for 47 yards and John Hilton gained 68 yards on his three receptions.

For the Lions, Bill Munson was successful on 19 of 34 throws for 160 yards and a TD with one interception. Mel Farr ran the ball 10 times for 35 yards and caught 10 passes for 59 more yards.

The win was the high point of a long season for the Steelers. They lost all of their remaining games to end up at 1-13. Detroit recovered to place second in the Central Division at 9-4-1.

Things would get progressively better for Chuck Noll and the Steelers, however. With the first overall pick in 1970 they took QB Terry Bradshaw and they would make other astute personnel moves that would have them in the playoffs by 1972 and produce the franchise’s first NFL title in ’74. By the end of the decade it would be four Super Bowls won. Noll lasted until 1991 and compiled a record of 193-148-1, plus another 24 wins in the postseason. 

1969: Jets Withstand Second Half Rally to Beat College All-Stars

The 36^th annual College All-Star Game on August 1, 1969 featured the New York Jets as the pro representative. Last seen upsetting the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, the Jets became the first American Football League Champion to appear in the annual contest sponsored by the Chicago Tribune for Chicago Charities.

There had been turmoil for the Jets in June when star QB Joe Namath (pictured above) announced he would retire rather than sell his interest in the Bachelors III nightclub, as demanded by Commissioner Pete Rozelle, but “Broadway Joe” finally relented and reported to training camp just two weeks prior to the All-Star contest.

On the All-Star side, a shadow was cast by the absence of star running backs O.J. Simpson, the Heisman Trophy winner out of USC, Leroy Keyes from Purdue, and Michigan’s Ron Johnson, who had chosen to skip the game to avoid the risk of injury prior to signing pro contracts. Still, there were plenty of future pro stars playing, including Notre Dame OT George Kunz, TE Bob Klein from USC, and WR Jerry LeVias of Southern Methodist on offense and, defensively, ends Bill Stanfill from Georgia and Fred Dryer of San Diego State, Arkansas State MLB Bill Bergey, cornerbacks Jim Marsalis of Tennessee State and Bill Thompson from Maryland – Eastern Shore, and Missouri safety Roger Wehrli. The team was coached by Otto Graham for the ninth time, returning after a three-year hiatus while he was head coach of the Redskins.

There was a crowd of 74,206 in attendance on a Friday night at Soldier Field and many of them loudly booed Namath when he was introduced. The All-Stars looked tight throughout the first half and were especially hampered by their lack of a running attack. The Jets scored first on a 43-yard Jim Turner field goal. Less than four minutes later, New York struck again on another Turner field goal, this time from 16 yards, and the pro champs led by 6-0 after a quarter of play.

In the second quarter, the Jets added to their lead as they put together a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with FB Matt Snell running the final three yards for a TD. They failed to add to their margin when the All-Stars put together an impressive goal-line stand after the Jets got a first down inside the five yard line, stopping four straight running plays (two each by HB Emerson Boozer and FB Bill Mathis).

The All-Star defense foiled another possible score by the Jets when Snell attempted an option pass intended for TE Pete Lammons from the three yard line that was picked off by DB Bill Bradley. But the All-Stars were unable to mount a threat as they managed just one first down (which was due to a penalty) and scored no points in the first half with Notre Dame’s Terry Hanratty and Bobby Douglass of Kansas appearing at quarterback.

Down 13-0 at the half, the All-Stars fell further behind in the third quarter thanks to Turner’s 42-yard field goal for the Jets. But fortunes changed when QB Greg Cook from Cincinnati (pictured below) entered the contest. The collegians took advantage of a 78-yard kickoff return by RB Altie Taylor to the New York 19 to get on the board. Cook fired a 17-yard touchdown pass to WR Gene Washington from Stanford for a touchdown and Roy Gerela from New Mexico State added the extra point.

Following an interception by CB Rudy Redmond, Gerela kicked a 28-yard field goal that made the Jets’ margin just 16-10. New York responded with a 63-yard drive in four plays that ended with a touchdown on a 35-yard sweep by Snell.

The All-Stars struck back quickly, however, as Cook tossed a bomb to Taylor in a third-and-one situation for a 44-yard gain to the New York 12. On the next play Cook floated a pass into the corner of the end zone that was pulled in by the 242-pound Bob Klein for a TD and Gerela’s successful PAT made it 23-17, which was the tally at the end of the eventful third quarter.

The All-Stars regained possession when Roger Wehrli intercepted a Namath pass at the All-Star 36. Cook completed a 27-yard pass and the All-Stars reached the New York 29 before the drive stalled and Gerela missed on a 37-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide. The Jets, making the most of their reprieve, responded with a 69-yard series that concluded with Jim Turner kicking his fourth field goal of the game, from 18 yards, with just under six minutes remaining to play.

It was still 26-17 when the All-Stars got the ball back at their 20 with slightly less than two minutes to go. Cook threw to Jerry LeVias for 11 yards and connected with him again on a big play that covered 59 yards to the New York 8. A penalty on the Jets edged the collegians closer, but controversy ensued on the next play when a throw intended for Gene Washington that was defended by CB Johnny Sample was incomplete. Otto Graham, believing that Sample interfered with Washington, loudly complained to the officials and was in turn confronted by Sample. Graham came away with a bloody scrape on his nose from Sample’s helmet and a 15-yard penalty for being outside his assigned sideline area.

Still, the collegians managed to capitalize when Cook handed off to Taylor who tossed the ball back to him and the quarterback then threw to LeVias for a 19-yard touchdown with 16 seconds left on the clock. Gerela’s PAT was successful, but any last chance for the All-Stars ended when the ensuing onside kick failed to go the required ten yards, and the Jets were able to run out the remaining time for the 26-24 win.

As close as the score was, the Jets dominated statistically, outgaining the All-Stars by 463 yards to 260 and holding a substantial edge in first downs of 28 to 8.

Joe Namath, who was wearing a three-bar linemen’s face mask for the first time in his career, had to remain in the game far longer than Head Coach Weeb Ewbank would have liked due to the All-Star rally. While not fully up to par, he completed 17 of 32 passes for 292 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Matt Snell (pictured above) rushed for 114 yards and two TDs on 19 carries as the Jets piled up 201 yards on the ground. WR Bake Turner, in for the injured George Sauer, caught 8 passes for 145 yards.

With a lack of strong runners, the All-Stars gained just 16 rushing yards, on 13 attempts, and the individual leader was Kansas QB Bobby Douglass with 7 yards on one carry. Greg Cook’s passing was nevertheless nearly enough to pull out the contest as he was successful on 12 of 23 throws for 241 yards and three touchdowns. Jerry LeVias was the leading receiver with three catches for 89 yards.

In the ensuing season, the Jets went 10-4 to again top the Eastern Division in the AFL’s last campaign prior to merging with the NFL, but they lost to Kansas City in the Divisional playoff round. Joe Namath had another outstanding year, receiving AFL Player of the Year recognition from the Associated Press.

Greg Cook had a remarkable rookie season with the Cincinnati Bengals, leading the AFL in passing and garnering Rookie of the Year honors, but unfortunately his career went no further due to his sustaining a serious arm injury along the way. 

Rookie of the Year: Calvin Hill, 1969

Halfback, Dallas Cowboys

Age: 22

College: Yale

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 230

Prelude:

Originally recruited by Yale to play quarterback, Hill was briefly shifted to linebacker and then halfback. He received first-team All-Ivy League honors as a junior and senior as Yale won conference titles in each season. Hill was chosen by the Cowboys in the first round of the 1969 NFL draft (24^th overall).

1969 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 204 [3]

Most attempts, game - 27 (for 150 yds.) at Washington 11/16

Yards – 942 [2]

Most yards, game – 150 yards (on 27 carries) at Washington 11/16

Average gain – 4.6 [5, tied with Walt Garrison & Dave Hampton]

TDs – 8 [3, tied with Gale Sayers]

100-yard rushing games – 3

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 20      

Most receptions, game – 3 (for 71 yds.) at Philadelphia 10/5, (for 21 yds.) at Atlanta 10/12

Yards – 232

Most yards, game - 71 (on 3 catches) at Philadelphia 10/5

Average gain – 11.6

TDs – 0

Passing

Attempts – 3

Completions – 3

Yards – 137

TDs – 2

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 4

Yards – 125

Average per return – 31.3

TDs – 0

Longest return – 46 yards

All-Purpose Yards – 1299 [6]

Scoring

TDs – 8 [15, tied with five others]

Points – 48

Postseason: 1 G (Eastern Conference Championship vs. Cleveland)

Rushing attempts – 8

Rushing yards – 17

Average gain rushing – 2.1

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 1

Pass receiving yards - 7

Average yards per reception – 7.0

Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns – 4

Yards – 90

Average per return – 22.5

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: UPI, NEA, Sporting News

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

1^st-team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Hall of Fame, NEA, NY Daily News, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News

2^nd-team All-NFL: UPI

Cowboys went 11-2-1 to finish first in the Capitol Division of the NFL Eastern Conference while leading the league in total yards (5122) and rushing yards (2276). Lost Eastern Conference Championship to Cleveland Browns (38-14).

Aftermath:

Injuries limited Hill to 577 and 468 yards, respectively, in 1970 and ’71 and Duane Thomas emerged as an alternative, but in 1972 he became the first Dallas running back to gain a thousand yards rushing in a season (1036) while also catching 43 passes for 364 more yards and, in ’73, he gained a career-high 1142 yards on the ground. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for three straight seasons, including 1974, when he ran for 844 yards, but left the Cowboys for The Hawaiians of the WFL in ’75. Hill played in three WFL games before being sidelined by a knee injury, and with the demise of the league returned to the NFL with the Washington Redskins for 1976. As a backup for two years in Washington, he ran for 558 yards and caught 25 passes before moving on to the Cleveland Browns in 1978. Used primarily for his pass receiving skills out of the backfield in his four years with Cleveland, Hill ran the ball for just 516 yards but had 107 receptions for 1248 yards and 16 TDs. For his career in the NFL, he rushed for 6083 yards on 1452 carries (4.2 avg.) and 42 touchdowns, caught 271 passes for 2861 yards (10.6 avg.) and another 23 TDs, and was named to the Pro Bowl four times. His brief hiatus in the WFL added another 218 rushing yards and four catches.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).

Rookie of the Year: Joe Greene, 1969

Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 23 (Sept. 24)

College: North Texas State

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 270

Prelude:

An All-American and considered the best college defensive line prospect available, even if comparatively unknown to most fans, “Mean Joe” was taken by the Steelers in the first round of the 1969 NFL draft (fourth overall). With his speed as well as strength, he quickly established himself as an outstanding pass rusher from the interior of the line.

1969 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – N/A

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA

1^st team All-NFL: AP

2^nd team All-NFL: Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Steelers went 1-13 to finish fourth in the NFL Century Division.

Aftermath:

Greene’s outstanding rookie season was the first of eight straight, and ten overall, in which he was selected to the Pro Bowl and also the first of an eventual five in which he was a consensus first-team All-NFL choice while receiving at least some All-NFL or All-AFC recognition in four others. He was also chosen as NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press on two occasions, following the 1972 and ’74 seasons. Greene became the cornerstone of an outstanding defense that was one of the highest-ranked in the NFL over the course of most of the next decade and the Steelers won four NFL titles. Fast, strong, and agile, he had the ability to dominate games and provided outstanding emotional leadership. He played a total of 13 years, all with Pittsburgh, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1987.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

[Updated 2/4/14]