Y.A. Tittle

Biography

Yelberton Abraham Tittle Jr. revolutionized quarterback play through seventeen professional seasons, becoming one of football's most cerebral field generals despite an unconventional sidearm throwing motion that captivated fans and confounded defenses. Born October 24, 1926 in Marshall, Texas, Tittle spent hours as a youth throwing footballs through a tire swing in his backyard, emulating fellow Texan Sammy Baugh. At Marshall High School, he quarterbacked the team to an undefeated senior season and state finals appearance. Tittle attended Louisiana State University (1944-1947), where he earned two-time All-Southeastern Conference honors as the Tigers' quarterback. Playing both offense and defense in the iron man era, he set school passing records with 162 completions for 2,525 yards and 23 touchdowns—marks standing until Bert Jones surpassed them in the 1970s. His defining collegiate moment came in the infamous 1947 Cotton Bowl Classic, known as the "Ice Bowl," when LSU and Arkansas battled to a scoreless tie on an ice-covered field in sub-freezing temperatures. Despite neither team scoring, Tittle shared game MVP honors with Arkansas end Alton Baldwin. Drafted sixth overall by Detroit Lions in 1948, the 6-foot-0, 192-pound Tittle instead signed with Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference before Commissioner Jonas Ingram redistributed him to Baltimore Colts to increase league balance. Named unanimous AAFC Rookie of the Year after passing for 2,739 yards, he led Baltimore to the brink of an Eastern Division championship. When the Colts franchise folded after joining the NFL in 1950, San Francisco 49ers selected Tittle in the 1951 draft. Over ten seasons, Tittle became part of the 49ers' legendary "Million Dollar Backfield" alongside John Henry Johnson, Joe Perry, and Hugh McElhenny—the only full-house backfield with all four members eventually enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1954, Tittle became the first professional football player featured on Sports Illustrated's cover. With receiver R.C. Owens in 1957, he invented the "alley-oop" pass—the first usage of the term in sports—exploiting Owens's exceptional leaping ability. United Press named him NFL Player of the Year in 1957. Considered washed up at age 34, Tittle was traded to New York Giants in 1961 for guard Lou Cordileone—regarded among the worst trades in 49ers history and the best in Giants annals. He revitalized his career spectacularly, leading New York to three consecutive NFL Championship games (1961-1963). His career ended with an iconic 1964 photograph showing him bloodied and helmetless after a tackle by Pittsburgh's John Baker. Tittle retired holding NFL records for career passing yards (28,339), touchdowns (212), attempts, completions, and games played. After football, he rejoined the 49ers as assistant coach before the Giants hired him as quarterback mentor in 1970. He founded Y.A. Tittle Insurance & Financial Services, having worked as insurance salesman during his playing career. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, Tittle's number 14 jersey was retired by the Giants. He suffered from severe dementia in later years before dying October 8, 2017 in Stanford, California at age 90, survived by wife Minnette and four children.