Highlighted Year: Frank Garcia, 1983

Punter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 26

2^nd season in pro football, 1^st with Buccaneers

College: Arizona

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 205

Prelude:

A versatile player in high school who played quarterback and halfback as well as handling the placekicking and punting, Garcia performed well as a punter in college. He had difficulty catching on as a pro, however, failing to catch on with Atlanta in 1979, San Diego in ’80, and both Green Bay and Tampa Bay in 1981 before appearing in one game with Seattle after punter Jeff West was injured. He was let go by the Seahawks in ’82 and joined the Chicago Blitz of the USFL in the spring of 1983 but was cut once again after averaging 37.5 yards on 18 punts, with two touchbacks and eight inside the 20. Garcia got another shot with the Buccaneers and made the club.

1983 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Punting

Punts – 95 [1]

Most punts, game – 10 at Green Bay 10/2

Yards – 4008 [2]

Average – 42.2 [6, 1^st in NFC]

Best average, game – 48.4 (on 8 punts) at Minnesota 11/6

Punts blocked – 1 [3, tied with ten others]

Longest punt – 64 yards

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Buccaneers went 2-14 to finish fifth in the NFC Central while generating the fewest total yards (4477) in the NFL.

Aftermath:

Garcia spent another four seasons with the Buccaneers and remained steady, if not outstanding. Typically, his net average ranked lower than his gross average. He was let go after a 1987 season in which his average dipped to a low of 38.9 yards with a poor net average of 28.3. Overall, he averaged 41.1 yards on 379 punts with Tampa Bay.

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Highlighted Years features players who were 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

1986: Simms Rallies NFC to Pro Bowl Win

It was a calm, sunny day at Aloha Stadium with 50,101 fans in attendance for the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl on February 2, 1986, marking the seventh straight year that the NFL’s annual all-star game was held in Honolulu. The coaches were John Robinson of the Rams for the NFC and Miami’s Don Shula for the AFC.

The NFC had first possession and advanced to the AFC 37 but came up empty when Morten Andersen of the Saints missed a 54-yard field goal attempt. The AFC drove 63 yards in 11 plays as San Diego QB Dan Fouts completed five passes, three of them to WR Steve Largent of the Seahawks. RB Marcus Allen of the Raiders ran for a two-yard touchdown and Pittsburgh’s Gary Anderson added the extra point.

The teams exchanged punts but the NFC was on the move as the opening period ended thanks to three pass completions by QB Phil Simms of the Giants (pictured above), two of them for 16 yards apiece to Tampa Bay TE Jimmie Giles and WR James Lofton of the Packers. However, facing fourth-and-two at the AFC 31 early in the second quarter, a carry by Atlanta RB Gerald Riggs came up short. But the NFC got a break three plays later when a Fouts pass was intercepted by safety Joey Browner of the Vikings, who returned it 48 yards for a TD. Morten Andersen’s conversion tied the score at 7-7.

The AFC responded with a 78-yard drive in eight plays. Allen ran effectively and Fouts completed another two throws to Largent (pictured below), and it was Allen taking a pitchout and tossing an option pass to San Diego WR Wes Chandler for a 51-yard touchdown. Gary Anderson added the point after and the AFC was back in the lead by 14-7.

QB Jim McMahon of the recently-crowned champion Bears was behind center for the next NFC series, but he was hindered by a knee injury suffered in the Super Bowl. McMahon was sacked for an eight-yard loss by DE Howie Long of the Raiders on first down and, two plays later, was picked off by Denver CB Louis Wright, who returned it 12 yards to the NFC 19. The AFC picked up another three points when Gary Anderson booted a 34-yard field goal four plays later for a 17-7 advantage.

Another short series for the NFC ended with McMahon fumbling when sacked by DE Mark Gastineau of the Jets on third down and Denver DE Rulon Jones recovered for the AFC at the NFC 10. On the next play, QB Ken O’Brien of the Jets connected with Pittsburgh WR Louis Lipps for a touchdown. Gary Anderson added the extra point and, with four minutes remaining in the first half, the AFC held a 24-7 lead, which remained the score at halftime.

The AFC started off the third quarter by advancing to midfield, but O’Brien fumbled when attempting to hand off and Dallas DT Randy White recovered for the NFC at the AFC 49. After a running play lost a yard, Simms, back behind center for the NFC due to McMahon’s injury, completed three consecutive passes, the longest to TE Doug Cosbie of the Cowboys for 23 yards. Simms finished off the six-play possession with a pass to Washington WR Art Monk for a 15-yard TD, Morten Andersen converted, and the AFC lead was narrowed to 24-14.

The teams traded punts before the AFC put together a promising drive. Allen again ran the ball well and Fouts completed three passes, two to Largent for 20 yards and one to Chandler for 23. But after reaching the NFC 18, a Fouts throw into the end zone was intercepted by CB Leroy Irvin of the Rams to snuff out the opportunity.

The clubs again exchanged punts and, as the game entered the fourth quarter, Irvin’s 32-yard punt return put the NFC at the AFC 32. Simms threw to Cosbie for 19 yards and San Francisco RB Roger Craig ran twice for 11 yards. It was Simms to Cosbie for a two-yard touchdown and, with Morten Andersen adding the extra point, the AFC lead was whittled down to three points at 24-21.

The AFC went primarily to the air on the next series and O’Brien connected on five straight passes and a roughing-the-passer penalty on LB Otis Wilson of the Bears put the ball on the NFC 13. But once again the NFC came through with an interception in the end zone as O’Brien’s next toss was picked off by Chicago LB Mike Singletary.

Starting from their 20, the NFC drove 80 yards in 10 plays. Simms converted a third-and-six situation with a completion to Lofton for 19 yards and, after a fumble resulted in a nine-yard loss, he threw to Monk for 17 yards on a third-and-16 play. RB Joe Morris of the Giants gained 11 yards on a fake reverse and, two plays after that, it was Simms to Monk for 17 yards to the AFC 15. From there, Simms connected with Giles for a touchdown and Morten Andersen’s kick made it a four-point game. The AFC had one last shot and it ended when a Fouts pass was intercepted by Irvin to nail down the 28-24 win for the NFC.   

The AFC had the edge in total yards (382 to 272) and first downs (24 to 18). However, they also turned the ball over five times, to two suffered by the NFC.

Phil Simms, who was named the game’s MVP, completed 15 of 27 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. The hobbled Jim McMahon was a lackluster one-of-six for seven yards and gave up an interception and fumble. Joe Morris led the NFC rushers with 34 yards on 8 attempts and Roger Craig, who also carried 8 times, was second with 25. Art Monk and Doug Cosbie caught four passes apiece, for 61 and 55 yards, respectively. On defense, LeRoy Irvin accounted for two interceptions and Joey Browner had one that was returned for a score.

For the AFC, Dan Fouts was successful on 16 of 27 throws for 173 yards, but none were for TDs and he was intercepted three times. Ken O’Brien was 8-of-15 for 87 yards and a touchdown with an interception as well. Marcus Allen rushed for 58 yards on 16 carries that included a TD and also threw a scoring pass. Steve Largent caught a then-Pro Bowl-record 8 passes, for 82 yards, and Wes Chandler gained 114 yards on his four pass receptions that included a touchdown. 

“When Jim (McMahon) got hurt, I knew I was going to play the rest of the game,” said Phil Simms. “I can’t say I was real thrilled about Jim getting hurt…but it turned out well.”

The game marked a return to the victory column for the NFC, which lost the previous year’s contest after having won two straight. The NFC held a 10-6 advantage since the AFC vs. NFC format had been adopted following the 1970 merger.

Highlighted Year: Joey Galloway, 1997

Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks

Age: 26 (Nov. 20)

3^rd season in pro football & with Seahawks

College: Ohio State

Height: 5’11” Weight: 188

Prelude:

Galloway caught 108 passes for 1894 yards (17.5 avg.) and 19 touchdowns in college. He was chosen by the Seahawks in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft (eighth overall), who were looking to add speed at wide receiver, and moved directly into the starting lineup. Galloway caught 67 passes for 1039 yards (15.5 avg.) and seven TDs as a rookie and also returned 36 punts for a 10.0 average with one touchdown. He followed up with 57 receptions for 987 yards (17.3 avg.) and seven more TDs in 1996.

1997 Season Summary

Appeared in 15 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 72 [15, tied with Andre Rison & Shannon Sharpe]     

Most receptions, game – 8 (for 75 yds.) at St. Louis 10/19, (for 98 yds.) at Denver 11/2

Yards – 1049 [16]

Most yards, game – 117 (on 7 catches) vs. Oakland 10/26

Average gain – 14.6

TDs – 12 [2, tied with James Jett, Rod Smith & Antonio Freeman, 1^st in AFC]

100-yard receiving games – 3

Rushing

Attempts – 9

Yards – 72

Yards per attempt – 8.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 12 [5, tied with four others]

Points – 72

Seahawks went 8-8 to finish third in the AFC West while leading the NFL in passing yards (3959).

Aftermath:

Galloway had another strong year in 1998, catching 65 passes for 1047 yards (16.1 avg.) and 10 touchdowns, but a long contract holdout in ’99 cost him half the season, as well as good will with the organization, and he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2000. A knee injury suffered in the first week cost him the remainder of the season and he had a mediocre year in 2001, averaging a then-career-low 13.4 yards on 52 catches. He bounced back in ’02 with 61 receptions for 908 yards (14.9 avg.) and six TDs and led the NFL by averaging 19.8 yards, although on just 34 catches, in 2003. Traded to Tampa Bay for WR Keyshawn Johnson in ’04, Galloway spent the next five seasons with the Buccaneers and, following an injury-plagued year in which he was limited to ten games, he achieved career highs with 83 receptions for 1287 yards in 2005. It was the first of three straight thousand-yard receiving seasons in his mid-thirties. A foot injury hindered his performance in 2008 and he was released, finishing up with brief stints with New England and Washington in 2009 and ’10. Overall, Galloway caught 701 passes for 10,950 yards (15.6 avg.) and 77 touchdowns, with 283 of those catches for 4457 yards and 37 TDs coming with the Seahawks. He also returned 141 punts for a 9.6-yard average and five TDs.

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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: Jim Cason, 1949

Halfback, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 22

2^nd season in pro football & with 49ers

College: LSU

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 168

Prelude:

Cason was part of the LSU team that went 9-1-1 in 1946 and appeared in the Cotton Bowl, and was chosen by the 49ers in the third round of the 1948 AAFC draft (he was also picked by the Chicago Cardinals in the seventh round of the corresponding NFL draft). He gained 245 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns as a rookie on offense, averaged 14.0 yards on 22 punt returns and 21.2 yards returning kickoffs, and intercepted five passes on defense.

1949 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions

Interceptions – 9 [1]

Int. return yards – 152 [1]

Int. TDs – 0

Rushing

Attempts – 21

Yards – 70

Yards per attempt – 3.3

TDs – 1

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 5

Yards – 38

Yards per catch – 7.6

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 11 [8, tied with Buddy Young]

Yards – 247 [9]

Average per return – 22.5

TDs – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 21 [2]

Yards – 351 [1]

Average per return – 16.7 [3]

TDs – 0

Passing

Attempts – 2

Completions – 1

Yards – 38

TD passes – 1

Interceptions – 0

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Postseason: 2 G

Pass receptions – 1

Pass receiving yards – 30

Pass receiving TDs – 0

Interceptions – 2

Int. return yards – 21

TDs – 0

Kickoff returns – 1

Kickoff ret. yards – 23

Kickoff ret. TDs – 0

Punt returns – 8

Punt ret. yards – 108

Average per return – 13.5

Punt ret. TDs – 0

Longest return – 10 yards

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL/AAFC: INS

49ers went 9-3 to finish second in the AAFC while leading the league in interceptions (32) and fewest yards allowed (3313). Won AAFC First Round playoff over New York Yankees (17-7). Lost AAFC Championship to Cleveland Browns (21-7).

Aftermath:

Cason moved on to the NFL with the 49ers in 1950 and was chosen to the Pro Bowl in ’51 after intercepting eight passes, one of which he returned for a TD. The versatile halfback also caught 30 passes for 374 yards in 1950. Cason spent the 1953 season in Canada with Saskatchewan but returned to the 49ers in ’54 and was chosen to another Pro Bowl. He was traded to the Rams in 1955 and spent his last two seasons with them, playing defensive halfback and intercepting nine passes. Over the course of eight years with the 49ers and Rams, he accumulated 34 interceptions, two of which he returned for TDs, with 25 occurring with San Francisco, 14 while in the AAFC. Cason also rushed for 351 yards and four TDs, caught 40 passes for 519 yards and another four scores, returned 67 punts for a 14.1-yard average and 33 kickoffs for an average of 21.3 yards. He was chosen to two Pro Bowls. Cason was an assistant coach for the Denver Broncos in their inaugural 1960 season.

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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: John Carney, 1994

Placekicker, San Diego Chargers

Age: 30

7^th season in pro football, 4^th complete with Chargers

College: Notre Dame

Height: 5’11” Weight: 170

Prelude:

Carney kicked 51 field goals in college and set a Notre Dame season record with his 89.5 percentage in 1984 (17 of 19). He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1987 but failed to make the team and sat out the year. Carney finished out the last four games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1988, substituting for the injured Donald Igwebuike, and started the year in ’89, playing in a total of five games and making good on two of five field goal attempts and all six of his PAT attempts. After failing to make the Chargers during the 1990 preseason, he appeared in one game with the Rams and was then re-signed by San Diego, succeeding on 19 of 21 field goal attempts. Following a lesser year in ’91, Carney bounced back to have two strong seasons, including hitting on 31 of 40 field goal tries in 1993, with two games in which he kicked six field goals in as many attempts.

1994 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 34 [1, tied with Fuad Reveiz]

Most field goals, game – 5 at New Orleans 10/16, vs. Denver 10/23

Field goal attempts – 38 [3]

Most field goal attempts, game – 5 at New Orleans 10/16, vs. Denver 10/23

Field goal percentage – 89.5 [2]

PATs – 33 [9, tied with Ed Murray]

PAT attempts – 33 [9, tied with Ed Murray]

Longest field goal – 50 yards at Atlanta 11/6, vs. San Francisco 12/11

Scoring

Field Goals – 34

PATs – 33

Points – 135 [1]

Postseason: 3 G

Field goals – 4

Most field goals, game – 2 vs. Miami, AFC Divisional playoff

Field goal attempts – 4

Most field goal attempts, game – 2 vs. Miami, AFC Divisional playoff

PATs – 5

Most PATs, game – 2 vs. Miami, AFC Divisional playoff; at Pittsburgh, AFC Championship

PAT attempts – 5

Longest field goal – 31 yards vs. San Francisco, Super Bowl

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, Sporting News

1^st team All-AFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Chargers went 11-5 to finish first in the AFC West. Won AFC Divisional playoff over Miami Dolphins (22-21) & AFC Championship over Pittsburgh Steelers (17-13). Lost Super Bowl to San Francisco 49ers (49-26).   

Aftermath:

Carney spent another six years with the Chargers and departed following the 2000 season as the club’s all-time leader in field goals (261) and scoring (1076 points). While not strong on kickoffs, and with concerns about his range, he joined the New Orleans Saints in 2001 and stayed for six years, providing reliability if not long distance. Carney split time with the Jaguars and Chiefs in 2007 before moving on to the New York Giants in ’08, where he had an excellent season, making good on 35 of 38 field goal attempts and gaining selection to the Pro Bowl at age 44. However, his contract was not renewed and he spent parts of the 2009 and ’10 seasons back with the Saints, finishing his 23-year career at 46 years old. Overall, Carney kicked 478 field goals in 580 attempts (82.4 %) and added 628 extra points (with 10 misses) for a total of 2062 points The field goal and point totals ranked third all-time in NFL history. He received first-team All-NFL recognition once, second-team honors twice, and was chosen to two Pro Bowls. Carney was named to the Chargers’ 50^th anniversary all-time team.

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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

1976: Boryla Unlikely Star as NFC Rallies to Win Pro Bowl

There were 32,108 fans in attendance at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans for the Pro Bowl on January 26, 1976, a Monday night. The coaches were Chuck Knox of the Rams for the NFC and Oakland’s John Madden for the AFC. The league had to dig deep to find a second quarterback for the NFC behind Jim Hart of the Cardinals. Philadelphia’s Mike Boryla (pictured at right) made the roster because Minnesota QB Fran Tarkenton, who was originally selected, had to drop out due to a sore arm and QB Roger Staubach of the Cowboys, chosen in his place, was forced to skip the game due to injured ribs suffered during the preceding week’s Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh. Archie Manning of the Saints, Atlanta’s Steve Bartkowski, and James Harris of the Rams all backed out, leaving Boryla as the next available substitute. In his second season, he had been underwhelming, completing 87 of 166 passes (52.4 %) for 996 yards with twice as many interceptions (12) as TD passes (6) and started just five games in competition with the veteran Roman Gabriel.

The first quarter was scoreless as both teams missed field goals. Kansas City’s Jan Stenerud was wide to the right on a 46-yard try following the AFC’s first possession and Jim Bakken of the Cardinals was short on a 50-yard attempt that concluded a long series by the NFC in which his St. Louis teammate, Jim Hart, completed two 17-yard passes, to Minnesota WR John Gilliam and HB Terry Metcalf of the Cards.

The AFC had the ball in a series that extended into the second quarter. Pittsburgh FB Franco Harris ran effectively, with a long carry of 15 yards, and Cincinnati QB Ken Anderson threw to WR Lynn Swann of the Steelers for 11 yards to the NFC 11 on the final play of the opening period. However, a sack by LB Isiah Robertson of the Rams cost the AFC seven yards and a 35-yard field goal attempt had to be aborted when punter Ray Guy of the Raiders, the holder, couldn’t handle the snap.

The NFC punted following the next possession and WR Billy “White Shoes” Johnson of the Oilers, who initially bobbled the kick, returned it 55 yards to the NFC 33. On second down, HB Lydell Mitchell of the Colts reversed field and ran 20 yards to the 11 and, while the drive stalled at that point, Stenerud kicked a 20-yard field goal for the game’s first points.

Neither side was able to generate much offense until , with 1:31 remaining in the first half, the AFC took possession at its 45 following a punt and Houston QB Dan Pastorini threw to WR Cliff Branch of the Raiders for 32 yards on first down. After reaching the NFC 18, Stenerud kicked another field goal from 35 yards to put the AFC up by 6-0.

There was still time for the NFC and, following a short carry by FB Chuck Foreman of the Vikings on first down, Hart passed to Detroit TE Charlie Sanders for 28 yards to the AFC 43. However, Hart’s next throw was intercepted by Pittsburgh LB Jack Lambert, and on the next play Pastorini went long for his Houston teammate, WR Ken Burrough, for a 64-yard touchdown. Stenerud added the extra point and the AFC took a 13-0 lead into halftime.

The teams exchanged punts to start the third quarter, with Guy booting one that hit the replay screen that hung 90 feet above the playing field – the first player to ever do so in the Superdome. The play having been ruled dead as a result, Guy’s re-kick traveled 50 yards and the NFC proceeded to drive 62 yards in nine plays. Metcalf ran for 14 yards on first down and he and Foreman got the ball to the AFC 29 before Hart completed a short toss to Gilliam. The advance was blunted at that point and Bakken came on to score the first points for the NFC with a 42-yard field goal.

The AFC drove into NFC territory on a possession that featured Anderson running for nine yards and then tossing a lateral to Buffalo HB O.J. Simpson for another 13. But the AFC was forced to punt and the NFC responded with an 80-yard advance in 11 plays. Foreman broke away for a 26-yard gain and on a third-and-four play he caught a pass from Hart for 10 yards to the AFC 35. Three plays later Hart converted another third down with an eight-yard completion to Philadelphia TE Charle Young. Foreman lost a yard on the next play but Metcalf ran for 19 yards to set up a Hart pass to Foreman in the end zone for a four-yard TD. Bakken’s try for the extra point was blocked by DT Joe Greene of the Steelers, but the AFC lead was narrowed to 13-9.

As the game entered the fourth quarter, the AFC advanced to the NFC 31, but came up empty when Stenerud missed a 48-yard field goal attempt. But a short NFC series ended in a punt that Johnson gathered in at his ten yard line and returned 90 yards for a touchdown, setting a Pro Bowl record. Stenerud converted and the AFC had a seemingly comfortable 20-9 advantage.

On the NFC’s next play from scrimmage, HB Lawrence McCutcheon of the Rams broke away for a 41-yard gain (also a new Pro Bowl high) and, while he fumbled at the end, Los Angeles WR Harold Jackson recovered to maintain possession at the AFC 28. Runs by St. Louis FB Jim Otis and McCutcheon moved the ball to the AFC 13, but Hart threw two incomplete passes and Bakken’s 31-yard field goal attempt missed to the left.

The AFC punted after its next series and, with 5:39 remaining to play and the ball at the NFC 36, Mike Boryla came in at quarterback. After a running play and an offside penalty, Boryla connected with WR Mel Gray of the Cardinals for 25 yards. An incompletion and a three-yard McCutcheon run had the NFC facing third-and-seven, and another pass drew a 20-yard pass interference penalty on Pittsburgh CB Mel Blount. Two plays later, Boryla threw to Metcalf in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown and, with Bakken adding the point after, it was a four-point contest with the clock down to just over three minutes remaining.

The AFC went three-and-out on the ensuing possession and the NFC used razzle-dazzle to again move into scoring position. Returning the AFC punt, a lateral by Green Bay WR Steve Odom to CB Lem Barney of the Lions resulted in a 50-yard return to the AFC 30. Boryla overthrew Foreman on first down, but the AFC drew an offside penalty, and the next throw to Foreman in the flat picked up 26 yards to the AFC eight. Two plays later, it was Boryla to Gray for an eight-yard TD and Bakken’s extra point provided the final three-point margin. The NFC held on to win by a final score of 23-20.

Despite starting slowly on offense, the NFC ended up with the edge in total yards (389 to 325) and first downs (22 to 14). Each team turned the ball over once, and while the AFC recorded two sacks and harassed the opposing passers consistently, the NFC had more sacks with five.

Jim Hart completed just 10 of 28 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown while giving up an interception, and in relief Mike Boryla was four-of-eight for 73 yards and two TDs with none picked off. Chuck Foreman led the NFC with 85 yards on 13 rushing attempts and Lawrence McCutcheon contributed 75 yards on just seven carries. Foreman also led the club in pass receiving with 5 catches for 48 yards and a score. DE Cedrick Hardman of the 49ers was credited with three of the NFC sacks.

For the AFC, Dan Pastorini was successful on five of 12 throws for 133 yards and a TD with one picked off and Ken Anderson was four-of-12 for 48 yards. O.J. Simpson rushed for 52 yards on 10 attempts and Franco Harris (9 carries, 48 yards) and FB John Riggins of the Jets (10 carries, 47 yards) were right behind. With the one long scoring TD, Ken Burrough topped the team with four pass receptions for 96 yards. Thanks to the two long punt returns, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson (pictured above) edged out Boryla for game MVP honors.

“The whole thing was very unexpected, being here and all,” said Mike Boryla. “I didn’t get called until Monday.”

Boryla’s unexpected participation and strong performance didn’t portend better things to come in his career. While he saw more action in 1976, again in combination with Roman Gabriel, the results again were not strong. With Head Coach Dick Vermeil choosing to pursue a different direction (the Eagles obtained QB Ron Jaworski from the Rams in ’77), Boryla was dealt to Tampa Bay but, beset by injuries, he saw little action and retired. His Pro Bowl appearance ended up being the high point of his pro career.

Highlighted Year: Jim Benton, 1945

End, Cleveland Rams

Age: 29 (Sept. 25)

7^th season in pro football, 6^th with Rams

College: Arkansas

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

A star receiver at Arkansas, where he caught 48 passes for 814 yards as a senior in 1937, Benton was chosen by the Rams in the second round of the 1938 NFL draft. His 19.9-yard average on 21 catches as a rookie led the league and he topped the NFL with seven TDs among his 27 receptions in ’39, when he was a second-team All-NFL choice and selected to the Pro All-Star Game (predecessor to the Pro Bowl). Benton took a year off in 1941 to coach high school football in his native Arkansas, but he rejoined the team in ’42. Due to the Rams suspending play for a year in 1943, Benton played for the Chicago Bears and, while his numbers dropped off, he was a key receiver in clutch situations for the NFL title-winning club. He rejoined the Rams in ’44 and achieved new personal highs with 39 catches for 505 yards.

1945 Season Summary

Appeared in 9 of 10 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 45 [2] 

Most receptions, game – 10 (for 303 yds.) at Detroit 11/22

Yards – 1067 [1]

Most yards, game – 303 (on 10 catches) at Detroit 11/22

Average gain – 23.7 [3]

TDs – 8 [3]

300-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 5

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – 16

Average per return – 5.3

TDs – 0

Longest return – 10 yards

Scoring

TDs – 8 [5, tied with Ted Fritsch & Fred Gehrke]

Points – 48 [7, tied with Fred Gehrke]

Postseason: 1 G (NFL Championship vs. Washington)

Pass receptions – 9

Pass receiving yards – 125

Average yards per reception – 13.9

Pass receiving TDs – 1

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, Chicago Herald-American, Pro Football Illustrated, NY Daily News

2^nd team All-NFL: INS, UPI

Rams went 9-1 to finish first in the NFL Western Division while leading the league in rushing yards (1714). Won NFL Championship over Washington Redskins (15-14).

Aftermath:

With the franchise moving from Cleveland to Los Angeles, Benton followed up his outstanding 1945 season by leading the NFL in both pass receptions (63) as well as receiving yards (981) in ’46. He was again a consensus first-team All-NFL selection. Benton played one more season for the Rams in 1947, catching 35 passes for 511 yards (14.6 avg.) and six TDs. Overall, over nine seasons he caught 288 passes for 4801 yards (16.7 avg.) and 45 touchdowns, with all but 13 receptions, 235 yards, and three TDs occurring while with the Rams. Benton was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection twice and received at least some second-team honors following two other seasons. He was chosen to the NFL All-1940s team selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Benton’s NFL single-game record of 303 pass receiving yards lasted until 1985.

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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