New York Giants: Y.A. Tittle – one of the greats
By Michael Stewart
Y.A Tittle (Yelberton Abraham Tittle Jr.) In his early days while with the Colts, Tittle won Rookie the Year honors in 1948 after passing for 2,522 yards and leading the team to the playoffs. After a couple of seasons, the Colts franchise folded which allowed Tittle to be drafted by the 49ers in the 1951 NFL draft.
During his 10 year career with the 49ers, Tittle made the Pro Bowl 4 times. After the 1960 season, the 49ers traded Y. A Tittle to the New York Giants at the age of 34 years old; which many considered Tittle to be well past his prime.
However; over the next three seasons, Tittle won three MVP awards, twice set the league single-season record for touchdown passes, and led the Giants to three straight NFL Championship games. Despite this, YA Tittle was never able to win a championship with the Giants, however; his personal achievements can’t be ignored. 7 time Pro Bowl selection, 4 time 1st team All-Pro, 4 time MVP, 3 time passing TD leader, tied for the most TDS passes in one game (7), Not to mention his competitiveness, leadership, and striking profile, Tittle was the centerpiece of several prolific offenses throughout his seventeen-year professional career
In his final game as a Giant, a memorable photograph was taken of Tittle kneeling down in the end zone after a defender tackled him. This photograph has become one of the most iconic images in football history. Upon Tittle retirement, he held the record for most passing yards, passing touchdowns, passing attempts, completions and games played. The New York Giants retired Tittle’s number 14 as he is the greatest QB (in my opinion) in Giants history.