Sammy Baugh Popularizes the Forward Pass 4 Otto Graham Leads Browns to 10 Title Games 6 Johnny Unitas Guides Colts to Greatest Game Win 8 Bart Starr Helps Green Bay become Titletown 10 Roger Staubach Turns Into Captain Comeback 12 Terry Bradshaw Goes 4-for-4 in Super Bowls 14 Joe Montana Stays Cool under Pressure 16 John Elway Caps Career with Two Super Bowl Titles 18 Dan Marino Smashes Passing Records 20 Brett Favre Brings a Title Back to Green Bay 22 Peyton Manning Makes Amazing Comeback 24 Tom Brady Fills In and Goes On to Greatness 26 Fun Facts and Stories 28 Glossary 30 For More Information 31 Index 32 About the Author 32 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sammy Baugh’s nickname was Slingin Sammy When Baugh was in high school in Texas he tied a rope to a tire and hung it from a tree He practiced throwing his football through the middle of the tire He threw from 10 yards away then moved out to 15 and 20 yards He tried throwing while he ran He did this for hours He became very accurate SAMMY BAUGH POPULARIZES THE FORWARD PASS 1 4 Sammy Baugh’s unique style led the Washington Redskins to two NFL championships
Baugh joined the Washington Redskins of the National Football League NFL in 1937 Before then quarterbacks rarely passed the ball Running plays were far more common Baugh is known for making the forward pass a bigger part of pro football He showed that passing forward was the fastest way to move the ball and score touchdowns When Baugh retired after the 1952 season he held 13 NFL records These included most passing yards and most touchdown passes Baugh was a defensive back and a punter too He was famous as a triple threat In 1943 Baugh led the NFL in pass completions pass attempts and completion percentage The same season he ranked first in punting average and led all defensive players with 11 interceptions Baugh guided the Redskins to NFL championships in 1937 and 1942 They also reached three more title games with Baugh calling the shots 6 Pro Bowls Sammy Baugh was selected for from 1938 to 1951 Baugh led NFL in passing yards four times 1937 1940 1947 1948 Baugh led the NFL in punting average for four straight years 1940 43 and again in 1945 5 Baugh in 1937
