Classic NFL Photos

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 19, 2011

Classic NFL Photos

Giants 13, Browns 10

Like cold, weary travelers stranded at a bus stop, the Giants cling to the bench and wait for the chance to get back into action.

Giants 13, Browns 10

Silhouette against the Snowy Stadium, Giants receiver Bob Schnelker (#85) outleaps Browns defender Ken Konz to catch the pass.

Giants 27, Steelers 24

Giants defensive back Jimmy Patton tries to corral Bobby Layne, while Sam Huff (#70) follows in hot pursuit.

Packers 37, Giants 0

Packers linebacker Tom Bettis, sporting the scars of a gridiron gladiator, gets a hero's escort off the field from fans overjoyed at the 37-0 triumph.

Packers 37, Giants 0

After winning his first NFL title, an overjoyed Vince Lombardi is carried off the field by three of his players: (left-right) Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung and Forrest Gregg.

Packers 16, Giants 7

Ray Nitschke grabs Giants running back Alex Webster by the head, prepared to flip him over if necessary. Nitschke was the Most Valuable Player in this game, recovering two fumbles, both leading to Packers scores, in harsh wintry conditions. He called it "the most brutal football game that I have ever been in."

Baltimore Colts

The coach's meeting has ended, but for a quarterback like Unitas, there is no such thing as too much preparation. the plays on the blackboard are this week's variation of the basic strategies detailed in the "playbook" issued during the preseason. Each opponent presents different strengths and weaknesses, which must be studied so that when Unitas steps up to the line of scrimmage he knows the most effective play to call.

Browns 52, Giants 20

With the game well in hand, Jim Brown (left) relaxes on the bench next to two other big contributors to the Browns' championship season - guard Gene Hickerson (#66) and defensive tackle Dick Modzelewski (#74).

Browns 27, Colts 0

After spending the afternoon powering his way through the Baltimore defense, Jim Brown has a clear path through the awed crowd, thanks to a police escort, and his trademark glare.

Colts 45, Redskins 17

Redskins punter Pat Richter (#88) booms a kick out of his end zone and into the evening mist as his teammates head upfield to make the tackle.

Jim Brown

Cowboys 31, Cardinals 17

How tough was Dan Reeves (#30), an eight-year all-purpose back for the Cowboys? Here it takes four Cardinals to drag him to the ground, mauling him and grabbing his face mask in the process.

Packers 35, Chiefs 10

With the offense backed up to their goal line, the Chiefs are forced to punt. Jerrel Wilson (#44) was the busiest man on the team, punting seven times as the Packers stifled the Chiefs' offensive line.

Jets 20, Houston Oilers 14

The Oilers (top) and Jets square off for the next play, arrayed between the pitcher's mound and second base.

Baltimore Colts

"I don't know any other way to lead but by example," said Don Shula, addressing his team with quarterback John Unitas and Earl Morrall side-by-side in the front row.

Bills Training Camp

"The Juice" entertains teammates as part of the ritual of being a rookie at his first pro training camp. Clearly comfortable as the center of attention, he has a busy career in the media after he retired from football.

Vikings 27, Browns 7

There is no comfort in midwinter in Minnesota, as these Vikings know all too well. Guard Jim Vellone (#63) tries blowing on his hands to warm them up, while his teammates gather to brace themselves for the next bruising play.

Chiefs 23, Vikings 7

A center's job usually brings more bruises and grime than glory. After his team won the Super Bowl, center E.J. Holub reaps the glory along with the satisfaction of winning the big battle.

Terry Bradshaw

Chiefs 38, Steelers 16

Even being backed into his own end zone didn't bother Bradshaw.

Charlie Krueger

Joe Namath

Oilers 26, Jets 20

Jets running back John Riggins (#36) hurdles fallen Oilers linebacker Ron Pritchard. After five years with the Jets, the versatile runner and receiver joined the Redskins, becoming one of the NFL's top stars, scoring 24 touchdowns in 1983.