Ranking the top 50 quarterbacks in NFL history…
Drafted 17th overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1948 AAFC Draft out of LSU, Y.A. Tittle began his professional career in the All-America Football Conference before transitioning to the NFL in 1950. He spent his early years with the Colts until 1950, then joined the San Francisco 49ers from 1951 to 1960, where he solidified his reputation as a reliable starter.
Traded to the New York Giants in 1961 at age 35, Tittle enjoyed a late-career renaissance, leading the team to three consecutive NFL Championship Games from 1961 to 1963. His standout 1962 season featured 3,224 yards and a league-leading 33 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Pro honors.
In 1963, he set a then-NFL record with 36 touchdown passes, threw for 3,145 yards and captured the AP MVP award while posting a 104.8 passer rating — the highest in the league. Despite strong regular seasons, the Giants lost all three title games, including blowouts in 1962 and 1963.
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Over 17 seasons and 204 games, Tittle amassed 33,070 passing yards, 242 touchdowns and 248 interceptions with a 55.2 percent completion rate).
He earned seven Pro Bowl nods (1953-54, 1957, 1959, 1961-63) and three First-Team All-Pro selections (1957, 1962-63), ranking him among the era’s elite despite no championships.
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Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, Tittle led the league in touchdowns twice and completions three times.
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Nicknamed “The Bald Eagle” for his distinctive look and “Old Reliable” for his consistency, he was a tough competitor who employed a unique sidearm — almost underhand — throwing motion that confounded defenders.
But who ranks ahead of Tittle at [No. 27 all-time](https://nesn.com/2025/08/nfl-all-time-qb-rank-no-27-ken-anderson/)?
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