Photos from the 1970 NFL Season

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 15, 2013

Photos from the 1970 NFL Season

George Blanda, Daryle Lamonica, Kenny Stabler

Both a quarterback and kicker throughout his lengthy 26-year career, the late George Blanda (16) is shown here with Daryle Lamonica (3) and Kenny Stabler (background). Blanda helped Oakland with both his arm and leg during 1970, throwing for six touchdown passes while knocking in 16 field goals.

Blaine Nye

Caked in mud, Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Blaine Nye peers in at the action. In addition to Nye's on-field ethic, he was driven off the field as well, earning a M.S. in physics from the University of Washington and an M.B.A. from Stanford amid his nine-year NFL career.

Dick Butkus

Fearsome linebacker Dick Butkus backpedals into pass coverage during a Nov. 8 game against the San Francisco 49ers in Wrigley Field. Though Butkus compiled 22 interceptions throughout his Hall of Fame career, he came up empty in this one, as the 49ers rolled 37-16.

Marlin Briscoe

The first black quarterback ever to start a game in the NFL, Marlin Briscoe switched positions to become a wide receiver after joining the Buffalo Bills in 1969. That move paid major dividends in 1970, as Briscoe finished second in the league with 1,036 receiving yards. Here, he finds a comfortable seat atop his helmet during a 35-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Joe Namath

A stylish Joe Namath arrives at JFK airport in New York City to meet some of his many female admirers. While Namath was renowned for on-field heroics, he was equally notorious for his womanizing tendencies, being linked to such famous personalities as Barbra Streisand, Suzy Storm and Ann-Margret.

Joe Namath

Joe Namath looks on in disgust as his New York Jets fall to the Cleveland Browns 31-21 on Sept. 21. Namath had reason to pout, lofting three interceptions in the game, the last of which was returned for a touchdown. After rolling to a 10-4 mark the year before, the Jets staggered to a measly 4-10 record in 1970.

Larry Brown

Building on a rookie campaign where he piled up 888 yards in 1969, Redskins running back Larry Brown dazzled the NFL with a league-leading 1,125 rushing yards in 1970. Here, he breaks free during a Week 14 contest with the St. Louis Cardinals, a 28-27 Washington win.

John Unitas

Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas shuffles back to pass during the team's final regular season game, a 35-20 Baltimore Colts victory over the New York Jets. After offering up 18 interceptions over the course of the year, Unitas was benched in favor of Earl Morrall to start the game. He regained his starting spot before the playoffs however, eventually leading Baltimore to its first Super Bowl title.

Howard Cosell and Don Meredith

Monday Night Football was launched in 1970 with Howard Cosell and Don Meredith as commentators. With the introduction of sports as a prime time programming option, and the addition of Frank Gifford to the broadcast booth in 1971, ABC's Monday Night game became a fixture of the American sports landscape.

Steve Spurrier

A former Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Florida, San Francisco quarterback Steve Spurrier drops after receiving the snap. Though the 49ers selected Spurrier with the third overall pick in the 1967 draft, he saw limited action. Spurrier spent all 14 games of the 1970 season backing up John Brodie.

Sonny Jurgensen

Washington quarterback Sonny Jurgensen watches the action during the team's 24-6 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles. At 36, Jurgensen continued to impress, tossing 23 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions as his Redskins stumbled to 6-8.

Gene Upshaw and Art Shell

Future Hall of Fame linemen Gene Upshaw and Art Shell take a breather on the Raiders bench.

John Madden

Enjoying the third of his 10 consecutive winning seasons, legendary head coach John Madden roams the sidelines for the Oakland Raiders. Madden led the team to a 8-4 mark in 1970, watching as his team advanced to the Conference Championship game before losing to the soon-to-be champion Baltimore Colts 27-17.

John Hadl

San Diego Chargers quarterback John Hadl discusses strategy with head coach Charlie Waller during a Nov. 8 matchup with the Denver Broncos. Their plan must've worked -- Hadl picked apart Denver for three passing touchdowns in a 24-21 Chargers win.

Lance Alworth

Wide receiver Lance Alworth warms up for a game against the Cleveland Browns in what would be his final year in a San Diego Chargers uniform. Throughout his storied tenure there, Alworth posted seven consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.

John Brodie

A San Francisco 49er for his entire 16-year career, quarterback John Brodie sets himself during an early season game against the Cleveland Browns. Brodie torched defenses in 1970, throwing for a league-leading 2,941 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first and only MVP season.

Fran Tarkenton

New York Giants quarterback Fran Tarkenton barks out the play call behind his offensive line. A future Hall-of-Famer and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Tarkenton dissected opposing defenses for 2,777 passing yards while leading the Giants to a 9-5 record.

Walt Garrison

Dallas Cowboys running back Walt Garrison gallops into the open field during the 1970 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. Garrison was very productive in the game, compiling 71 rushing yards, 51 receiving yards and the Cowboys' sole receiving touchdown in their 17-10 win. Dallas would go on to lose Super Bowl V to the Baltimore Colts 16-13.

Dick LeBeau

Lions defensive back Dick Lebeau (44) smothers Vikings wideout Dave Osborn during Minnesota's 30-17 victory on Nov. 1. Lebeau also added one of his nine interceptions in the losing effort, a total that was second in the NFL to only Kansas City's Johnny Robinson.

Bob Berrry

Coming off a Pro Bowl season in 1969, Falcons quarterback Bob Berry hoped to steer Atlanta to the playoffs in 1970. Despite flinging 16 touchdown passes, Berry and the Falcons limped to a 3-7-2 record, good enough for third in the NFC West. They lost this Week 2 contest to the Green Bay Packers 27-24.

Bob Rowe

St. Louis Cardinals defensive tackle Bob Rowe wraps up Los Angeles Rams running back Willie Ellison during a Week 1 showdown in the L.A. Coliseum. Cardinals' defenders had a hard time bringing Rams' rushers to the ground in their Sept. 18 contest, allowing them to scamper for 157 yards in a 34-13 Los Angeles victory.

Clint Jones

Plowing through the defending Green Bay Packers and into to the end zone is Minnesota running back Clint Jones. A goal-line specialist, Jones racked up nine touchdowns in 1970, despite tallying only 369 rushing yards.

Dave Robinson

Leaping to break up a pass is Green Bay linebacker Dave Robinson, part of a stout Packers defense that held the Minnesota Vikings to just 159 passing yards during their Oct. 4 contest. Though the Packers earned a tough 13-10 victory, the Vikings would emerge triumphant in the division, going 12-2 for the year.

Ed O'Bradovich

A 10-year NFL veteran, Chicago Bears linebacker Ed O'Bradovich yanks down 49ers running back Doug Cunningham during their Week 8 matchup. Though the Bears defense limited San Francisco to a mere 47 rushing yards, they allowed San Francisco quarterback John Brodie to pick them apart for 317 yards and three touchdowns as the 49ers thumped the Bears 37-16.

Jerry Rhome

Houston Oilers quarterback Jerry Rhome glances to the sidelines for direction during the team's Week 6 matchup against the San Diego Chargers. After jumping out to a 31-14 lead early in the third quarter, the Oilers surrendered 17 straight points and the game ended in a 31-31 tie.

Mike Bass

Washington Redskins defensive back Mike Bass scans the field after intercepting the St. Louis Cardinals in Week 2. Bass would add three more picks and a fumble recovery over the remainder of Washington's 6-8 season.

Ross Montgomery

Chicago Bears running back Ross Montgomery turns upfield during a Nov. 15 showdown with the rival Green Bay Packers. Montgomery carried the ball 19 times on the day, but it was Green Bay's Bart Starr who had the game's most important rush. Trailing 19-13 in the fourth quarter, Starr scampered in from three yards out to give the Packers a 20-19 victory.

Photos from the 1970 NFL Season