August 11, 2015

Highlighted Year: Bobby Joe Edmonds, 1986

Running Back/Kick Returner, Seattle Seahawks


Age: 22 (Sept. 26)
1st season in pro football
College: Arkansas
Height: 5’11” Weight: 175

Prelude:
Edmonds, who also played baseball, was used as a wide receiver and running back in college, gaining 1481 yards from scrimmage (755 rushing, 726 pass receiving) and averaging 10.3 yards on 93 punt returns. He was chosen by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 1986 NFL draft with the hope that, with his speed and sure-handedness, he would provide an upgrade to the team’s kick return game.

1986 Season Summary
Appeared in 15 of 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kickoff Returns
Returns – 34 [8]
Yards – 764 [8]
Most yards, game – 107 (on 6 ret.) at New England 9/21
Average per return – 22.5 [10]
TDs – 0
Longest return – 46 yards

Punt Returns
Returns – 34 [10, tied with Willie Drewrey]
Yards – 419 [6]
Most yards, game – 103 (on 4 ret.) vs. Philadelphia 11/23
Average per return – 12.3 [1]
TDs – 1 [2, tied with eleven others]
Longest return – 75 yards

Rushing
Attempts – 1
Yards – -11
TDs – 0

Scoring
TDs – 1
Points – 6

Awards & Honors:
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News
1st team All-AFC: Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl

Seahawks went 10-6 to finish third in the AFC West while leading the conference in punt return average (11.7).

Aftermath:
Edmonds was near the top with a 12.6-yard average on 20 punt returns during the strike-interrupted 1987 season and followed up with a punt return average of 9.7 yards in ’88 along with 22.5 yards on 40 kickoff returns. He signed as a free agent with the Detroit Lions in 1989 and also tried his hand at baseball during the Spring with the Class AA Reading Phillies. Shifted to wide receiver and a poor fit in Detroit’s new run-and-shoot offense, he was cut in the preseason, signed with the Raiders, and appeared in seven games, averaging 10.5 yards on 16 punt returns and 19.4 yards returning 14 kickoffs, but a broken ankle finished his season and he was released afterward. It brought an end initially to his NFL career due to off-field problems and concerns about his injury, but he returned with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995 at age 31 and averaged 10.1 yards on 29 punt returns and 19.8 yards running back 58 kickoffs. Overall, Edmonds averaged 11.0 yards on 134 punt returns and 21.1 yards on 173 kickoff returns, with 89 punt returns for an 11.3-yard average and 101 kickoff returns for a 22.1-yard average coming with the Seahawks.

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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

August 9, 2015

Highlighted Year: Alyn Beals, 1946

End, San Francisco 49ers



Age: 25
1st season in pro football
College: Santa Clara
Height: 6’0”   Weight: 185

Prelude:
Beals, a San Francisco native, starred at Santa Clara and was chosen by the Chicago Bears in the 8th round of the 1942 NFL draft. Due to World War II, however, he first went into the military for three years. Afterward he signed with the 49ers of the new AAFC, who heavily recruited ex-Bay Area college players, including from Santa Clara, where Head Coach Buck Shaw had been for seven years and was thus familiar with Beals.

1946 Season Summary
Appeared in all 14 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 40 [1, tied with Dante Lavelli]       
Yards – 586 [2]
Average gain – 14.7 [3]
TDs – 10 [1]

Rushing
Attempts – 2
Yards – -7
Average gain – -3.5
TDs – 0

Scoring
TDs – 10 [2]
PATs – 1*
Points – 61 [3]

*scored on a pass reception, not kicked

Awards & Honors:
1st team All-AAFC: League, UPI
2nd team All-AAFC: NY Daily News

49ers went 9-5 to finish second in the AAFC Western Division while leading the league in rushing yards (2175).

Aftermath:
Beals, who caught a career-high 47 passes in 1947, went on to lead the AAFC in pass receiving touchdowns in each of the circuit’s four seasons. He received first-team All-AAFC honors from the league in 1948 and ’49 and was a second-team choice in 1947. Beals ended up being the top scorer in the league’s four-year history, scoring 46 touchdowns and, with two extra points thrown in, 278 points. He also ranked second with 177 pass receptions, for 2510 yards (14.2 avg.) and all of the TDs. Beals spent two more lesser seasons with the 49ers in the NFL in 1950 and ‘51, adding 34 more pass receptions for 441 yards (13.0 avg.) and three 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

August 7, 2015

1964: Bears Rally to Defeat College All-Stars


The 31st annual College All-Star Game in Chicago on August 7, 1964 featured the home-town Bears, NFL Champions of 1963, against the usual crop of outstanding players coming out of college.

Chicago, which was coached by “the Papa Bear” George Halas, had combined dominating defense and a conservative offense to reach the top the previous year. QB Bill Wade (pictured at right) was a competent field general and had skilled receivers in TE Mike Ditka and flanker Johnny Morris. However, there was also a shadow of tragedy due to the deaths of HB Willie Galimore and end John “Bo” Farrington in an auto accident during training camp. The players wore black arm bands in their honor.

Otto Graham was coaching the All-Stars for the seventh consecutive year and had led the collegians to two wins during that time, including the previous year against Green Bay. All-Star standouts included quarterbacks Pete Beathard from USC and George Mira of Miami, Ohio State flanker Paul Warfield, and two Arizona State backfield mates, HB Charley Taylor and FB Tony Lorick, on offense. The defense included Minnesota DE Carl Eller, linebackers Dave Wilcox of Oregon and Wally Hilgenberg from Iowa, and Oregon safety Mel Renfro. There was some controversy when Coach Graham commented that Taylor appeared to “lack desire” during the practices leading up to the game, and there was concern about the condition of the highly-touted Mira’s sore arm.

There were 65,000 fans in attendance on a 79-degree Friday night at Soldier Field. With Pete Beathard behind center, the All-Stars advanced 27 yards in four plays following the opening kickoff, but Beathard fumbled and MLB Bill George recovered for the Bears at the All-Star 46. The pro champs were unable to take advantage of the break as they gained six yards in three plays and Roger LeClerc was short on a 47-yard field goal attempt.

The All-Stars were unable to get beyond their 16 on the next possession and the resulting punt gave Chicago good field position at the All-Star 43. Bill Wade completed passes to split end Gary Barnes and Mike Ditka but, with first-and-goal at the three yard line, HB Ronnie Bull gained a yard and Wade’s pass into the end zone was intercepted by CB Jerry Richardson from West Texas State.

The collegians moved effectively in response as Beathard completed passes to Paul Warfield and split end Chuck Logan of Northwestern. Tony Lorick contributed a 20-yard run as well. Beathard threw to Charley Taylor for a 29-yard gain to the Chicago 15 and, while the All-Stars were unable to reach the end zone, Ohio State’s Dick Van Raaphorst booted a 14-yard field goal for the game’s first points.

The Bears came alive on offense and nearly scored when Wade connected with flanker Johnny Morris for an apparent 31-yard touchdown, but Morris was called for offensive pass interference. However, on the seventh play of the series, they did get a TD on a pass from Wade to Ditka that covered 13 yards. Bob Jencks added the extra point and Chicago was ahead by 7-3.

The All-Stars again had to punt following their next possession but HB Billy Martin muffed the kick and Taylor recovered for the collegians at the Chicago 17. Two plays later, George Mira picked up a fumbled snap and pitched the ball back to Taylor, who then unleashed an option pass to Georgia Tech TE Ted Davis for a 14-yard touchdown. Van Raaphorst converted and the All-Stars took a 10-7 lead into halftime.

The Bears went 80 yards in 11 plays to start the third quarter and effectively take control of the game. The big play was a pass from Wade to Morris that covered 39 yards to the All-Star one. Two plays later, Wade scored from there on a quarterback sneak and, with Jencks adding the PAT, Chicago was in front by 14-10.

On the next series, QB Jack Concannon of Boston College fumbled and DE Doug Atkins recovered for the Bears and Wade immediately capitalized by connecting with Barnes for a 20-yard TD. Jencks added the point after and in less than two minutes the pro champs had gone from a three-point deficit to a 21-10 lead.



The teams traded interceptions before the All-Stars, with Mira (pictured at left) back in at quarterback, advanced to the Chicago four. However, the Bears held and the collegians came up empty.

In the fourth quarter, a Beathard pass was picked off by CB Bennie McCrae at the All-Star 39, and the Bears effectively put the game away when backup QB Rudy Bukich threw to HB Charlie Bivins for a 30-yard touchdown.

Down by 28-10, the All-Stars attempted trickery with both Beathard and Mira lining up together in the backfield. Advancing 80 yards, and with Beathard taking the snap and lateraling to Mira, the collegians managed to get one last TD on a five-yard toss to Taylor. Van Raaphorst converted but there were only 25 seconds remaining in the contest. The Bears ended up winning comfortably by a final score of 28-17.

Chicago had the edge in total yards (371 to 289) although the All-Stars managed to gain 142 yards on the ground. Both teams turned the ball over four times apiece.

Bill Wade completed 15 of 23 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Ronnie Bull led the Bears in rushing with 35 yards on 9 carries.

George Mira completed 8 of 18 passes for 70 yards and a TD and rushed for 56 yards on four carries. Pete Beathard was five of seven for 75 yards but gave up two interceptions. Tony Lorick ran for 38 yards on six attempts and Charley Taylor (pictured below) contributed seven rushes for 36 yards, caught two passes for 34 yards and a TD, threw a touchdown pass, and recovered a fumble. The player who had been subject to Otto Graham’s barbed comment prior to the game was named All-Star MVP.



The win by Chicago gave the pro champs a 20 to 9 edge in the series, with two ties. It was the fifth victory for the Bears, against one defeat and a tie, in what was their final appearance in the game. They dropped to sixth place in the Western Conference with a 5-9 record in ’64 and did not return to the postseason until 1977.

Charley Taylor went on to a Rookie of the Year season for Washington and, shifted to wide receiver two years later, put together a career that made him the NFL’s all-time pass receiving leader at the time of his retirement (649 catches) and gained him enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. George Mira had far less success, spending most of his career as a backup for the 49ers (and later the Eagles and Dolphins) although he was the starting quarterback for the Birmingham Americans, who won the only World Football League championship in 1974. 

August 6, 2015

Highlighted Year: Darren Bennett, 1995

Punter, San Diego Chargers


Age: 30
2nd season in pro football (1st active) & with Chargers
College: None
Height: 6’5”   Weight: 235

Prelude:
A native of Australia, Bennett spent 12 years as an Australian rules football player, primarily with the West Coast Eagles (Perth) and Melbourne, before retiring in 1993. He arranged a tryout with the Chargers on a trip to the US and spent a year on San Diego’s practice squad in 1994. Bennett spent the Spring of ‘95 with Amsterdam in NFL Europe and averaged 38.9 yards on 59 punts.

1995 Season Summary
Appeared in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Punting
Punts – 72 [14, tied with Jeff Feagles, Mike Horan & Mike Saxon]
Most punts, game – 8 at Philadelphia 9/17, vs. Kansas City 11/12
Yards – 3221 [10]
Average – 44.7 [2]
Best average, game – 59.5 (on 4 punts) at Pittsburgh 10/1
Punts blocked – 0
Longest punt – 66 yards

Postseason: 1 G (AFC Wild Card playoff vs. Indianapolis)
Punts – 2
Yards – 109
Average – 54.5
Punts blocked – 0
Longest punt – 65 yards

Awards & Honors:
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News
1st team All-AFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl

Chargers went 9-7 to finish second in the AFC West and qualify for a Wild Card spot in the postseason. Lost AFC Wild Card playoff to Indianapolis Colts (35-20).

Aftermath:
Bennett lasted a total of nine seasons with San Diego, following up with a 45.6-yard average in 1996 and reaching the Pro Bowl for a second time in 2000, a season in which he led the NFL with an average of 46.2 yards. His hang time was outstanding and he improved his consistency and ability to place his kicks over time. A remnant of his years in Australian rules football, he did not shy from physical contact. Bennett also utilized the “drop punt” technique to good effect in situations where placement was more important than distance. With Mike Scifres waiting in the wings, Bennett moved on to Minnesota as a free agent in 2004 and, after initially being waived in the ’05 preseason, finished up his career as a one-game replacement for the injured Chris Kluwe at age 40. Overall, he averaged 43.4 yards on 836 punts, 771 of those punts for a 43.8-yard average coming with the Chargers. Bennett was inducted into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame and named to the All-1990s team by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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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

August 4, 2015

Highlighted Year: Oshiomogho Atogwe, 2007

Safety, St. Louis Rams




Age: 26
3rd season in pro football & with Rams
College: Stanford
Height: 5’11” Weight: 210

Prelude:
The Canadian-born “O.J.” Atogwe was a track as well as football standout in college, intercepting nine passes. He was chosen by the Rams in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft and moved into the starting lineup at free safety in ’06. Atogwe improved over the course of the season, playing well against the run and increasing his range and playmaking ability.

2007 Season Summary
Appeared in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 8 [2, 1st in NFC]
Most interceptions, game – 2 vs. Green Bay 12/16
Int. return yards – 125 [11]
Most int. return yards, game – 52 (on 1 int.) at Arizona 12/30
Int. TDs – 1 [7, tied with many others]
Sacks – 0
Fumble recoveries – 1
Forced fumbles – 2
Tackles – 66
Assists – 9

Scoring
TDs – 1
Points – 6

Rams went 3-13 to finish fourth in the NFC West.

Aftermath:
Atogwe followed up in 2008 by intercepting another five passes and forcing six fumbles, and was named team MVP. In ’09, after having started 60 straight games, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the 12th contest. Following one more year with St. Louis, Atogwe signed with the Washington Redskins for 2011 but suffered through an injury-plagued season in which he started eight games and accumulated three interceptions. Waived afterward, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for 2012 but was cut during the preseason, ending his career. Overall, over the course of seven years Atogwe intercepted 25 passes, 22 with the Rams, and returned one for a touchdown. He also was credited with 5.5 sacks and 374 tackles.

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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

August 2, 2015

1968: Starr-to-Dale TDs Lead Packers to Win Over College All-Stars


The Green Bay Packers, defending champions of the NFL, were under a new head coach as they faced the College All-Stars on August 2, 1968 for the benefit of Chicago charities. Vince Lombardi, having led the club to five league titles, including the last three in a row (and wins in the first two Super Bowls), handed over the reins to defensive assistant Phil Bengtson, although he remained Green Bay’s general manager and was watching from the press box. After having been upset by an All-Star squad in 1963, the Packers had thrashed the collegians by a combined score of 65-0 in 1966 and ’67.

Green Bay still had an effective, if aging, veteran core, with the offense directed by QB Bart Starr (pictured above) behind a solid line and the defense containing stalwarts such as DE Willie Davis, DT Henry Jordan, MLB Ray Nitschke, CB Herb Adderley, and FS Willie Wood. If there was a major question at this early stage, it was who would handle the placekicking following the retirement of Don Chandler.

Norm Van Brocklin, former star quarterback in the NFL and first head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, coached the College All-Stars. The roster contained the usual assortment of future pro stars that included C Bob Johnson from Tennessee, USC tackle Ron Yary, TE Charlie Sanders of Minnesota, and running backs Larry Csonka from Syracuse and MacArthur Lane of Utah State on offense, while the defense had Tennessee State DE Claude Humphrey, DT Curly Culp of Arizona State, and Texas-El Paso LB Fred Carr.

There were 69,917 fans in attendance for the Friday night game at Soldier Field. Getting the ball for their second series of the game, the Packers were pinned deep at their three yard line after a 55-yard punt by Jerry DePoyster of Wyoming. However, Bart Starr faked a handoff and then threw to HB Elijah Pitts down the middle. Pitts broke away for a 72-yard gain to the All-Star 26, finally being hauled down by Fred Carr (Green Bay’s first-round draft pick). Six plays later, HB Donny Anderson scored the first touchdown of the game from a yard out and Jerry Kramer kicked the extra point.



Twenty seconds into the second quarter, Starr threw to flanker Carroll Dale (pictured at left) for a 20-yard TD to conclude a 12-play, 89-yard drive. Kramer again added the point after. Later in the period, the Packers went 73 yards in four plays, with Starr connecting with Dale for another touchdown, this time covering 36 yards. Kramer’s third PAT made it a 21-0 score.

The All-Stars, who relied heavily on the running of Syracuse FB Larry Csonka in the first half, responded by driving to a 22-yard field goal by DePoyster. It wasn’t much, but it was the first time a group of All-Stars had put points on the board in three years. Green Bay scored once more at the end of the half as newly-acquired PK Wade Traynham kicked a 30-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the All-Stars got a break when Green Bay FB Jim Grabowski fumbled the ball away at his own 37. After Csonka pounded away for a total of 30 yards, QB Gary Beban, a scrambler out of UCLA, threw a fourth down pass to WR Earl McCullouch from USC for a seven-yard touchdown. DePoyster kicked the extra point and Green Bay’s lead was narrowed to 24-10.

The Packers came back with another score, however, with Starr once again connecting with Dale on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 13-yard TD. Kramer converted. Later Kramer, who missed on a 45-yard field goal attempt, was good from 47 yards out, setting a new record for the All-Star Game and giving Green Bay a commanding lead.

Down 34-10, the All-Stars fought back, advancing 76 yards with Massachusetts QB Greg Landry throwing to McCullouch (pictured below) for a 24-yard touchdown. DePoyster kicked the point after, and while it brought cheers from the crowd, it proved to be the game’s last score. The Packers won handily by a final tally of 34-17.



The Packers led in total yards (381 to 312), although the All-Stars outgained Green Bay on the ground by 206 yards to 88. The pro champs also had the edge in first downs (20 to 17). The All-Stars turned the ball over four times, to one suffered by Green Bay.

Bart Starr completed 17 of 23 passes, including ten in a row at one point, for 288 yards and three touchdowns with none intercepted. Carroll Dale had 6 catches for 103 yards and three touchdowns. Donny Anderson led the Packers with 64 rushing yards on 11 attempts, one of which was good for a TD.

Greg Landry was successful on 7 of 14 throws for 79 yards and a TD with one picked off and Gary Beban went three of six for 27 yards and a touchdown but also gave up two interceptions. Larry Csonka rushed for 95 yards on 18 carries.

“He had a terrific night,” said Coach Van Brocklin of the All-Stars regarding Bart Starr’s performance. “He picked us apart.”

Green Bay’s win put the pro champs ahead in the series by 24 to 9 with two ties. It was the sixth win in eight appearances for the Packers, and would turn out to be their last. High expectations for the team to remain at the top were dashed as the Packers slipped to 6-7-1 with age and injuries, including one to Starr’s arm, ultimately taking a toll.

Larry Csonka joined the Miami Dolphins of the AFL and, after a slow start, went on to rush for 8081 yards in the AFL and NFL, gain selection to five Pro Bowls, and ultimately earn enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Earl McCullouch had the more immediate pro success with the Detroit Lions, earning consensus Rookie of the Year honors after catching 40 passes for 680 yards and five touchdowns (two of which came against the Packer). His career took a downward course thereafter and he ended up with just 124 pass receptions in seven NFL seasons.

July 31, 2015

Highlighted Year: Mel Blount, 1981

Cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers


Age: 33
12th season in pro football & with Steelers
College: Southern
Height: 6’3”   Weight: 205

Prelude:
A third-round draft choice in 1970, Blount was most notable on kickoff returns as a rookie but worked his way into the lineup by his third year. A master of the bump-and-run, he became a key member of the vaunted defense as Pittsburgh won its first Super Bowl following the ’74 season. Blount led the league with 11 interceptions in 1975, receiving NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press as well as consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl recognition. Blount followed up with three more Pro Bowl selections over the course of the next four seasons and received at least some first-team All-league honors in 1976 and ’77 and second-team in 1978 and ‘79.

1981 Season Summary
Appeared in all 16 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 6 [14, tied with six others]
Most interceptions, game – 2 at New Orleans 10/4, vs. LA Rams 11/29
Int. return yards – 106
Most int. return yards, game – 58 (on 2 int.) at New Orleans 10/4
Int. TDs – 1 [5, tied with twenty others]
Fumble recoveries – 0

Scoring
TDs – 1
Points – 6

Awards & Honors:
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA
1st team All-AFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly
Pro Bowl

Steelers went 8-8 to finish second in the AFC Central while leading the conference in interceptions (30).

Aftermath:
Having been chosen to a fifth (and last) Pro Bowl, Blount played two more seasons through 1983. Fast, physical, and durable, he lasted for 14 years, all with Pittsburgh, and missed only one game due to injury. Blount ended up intercepting a team-record 57 passes and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1989.

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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