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From the NFL Archives: The 1950s

Wide receiver Elroy Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams. He established a new league record at the time of 1,495 yards receiving. It wasn' t just the number of long-gainers but the way he did the job that set Hirsch apart from all others. "Crazylegs" had a unique running style that made him famous. When running downfield, his muscular legs seemed to gyrate in six different directions at once. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Los Angeles Rams Hall of Fame wide receiver Tom Fears circa 1950's. Although originally drafted as a defensive back, Rams coaches realized his ball-hawking skills would be best utilized on offense. Fears went on to lead the league in receptions in each of his first three NFL seasons. He improved his total each year, setting a new league record with 77 catches in 1949 and then smashing his own mark with 84 in 1950. (Photo by Pro Football Hall Of Fame/NFL)

Running back Alan Ameche (35) of the Baltimore Colts runs past 49ers defensive tackle Leo Nomellini (73) in a 30 to 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on December 11, 1955 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL)

New York Giants defensive tackle Arnie Weinmeister. Few players ever have been so dominant at their position in pro football than Arnie Weinmeister was in his six-year stint as a defensive tackle that began with the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference in 1948 and ended with the New York Giants of the NFL in 1953. (Photo by Pro Football Hall Of Fame/NFL)

In seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers during the 1950s, Billy Howton had two seasons with 1000 yards receiving. In fact, he is one of three players who reached 1000 yards by the 11th game of their rookie season. Howton became the NFL's all-time leading receiver in 1963, with 503 receptions for 8459 yards. (Photo by Pro Football Hall Of Fame/NFL)

Green Bay Packers end Billy Howton catches a pass in a 10-3 loss to the Chicago Bears on October 3, 1954 in City Stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)

LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 2: Wide receiver Bob Boyd #82 of the Los Angeles Rams goes airborne to catch a pass behind linebacker Dick Flanagan #57 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 2, 1955 in Los Angeles, California. The Rams defeated the Steelers 27-26. (Photo by Vic Stein/NFL Photos)

Detroit Lions back Bob Hoernschemeyer on a carry in a 17-16 win over the Cleveland Browns in a League Championship game on December 27, 1953 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by George Gelatly/NFL)

Offensive end Bob Mann of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown on a one handed grab. (Photo by Pro Football Hall Of Fame/NFL)

San Francisco 49ers tackle Bob St. Clair. He joined the San Francisco 49ers as a third-round draft selection in 1953. At 6-9 and 265 pounds, he was blessed with size, speed, intelligence and a genuine love of hitting. He was an outstanding blocker, both on passing plays and rushing attempts. In 1956, he was credited with an amazing 10 blocked field goals. St. Clair was named first- or second-team All-NFL nine times and was selected to play in five Pro Bowls. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL)

Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Waterfield runs upfield in a 70 to 27 win over the Baltimore Colts on October 22, 1950 at Los Angeles Memorial Colesium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vic Stein/NFL)

Los Angeles Rams Hall of Fame kicker Bob Waterfield makes a field goal kick in a 24-17 win over the Cleveland Browns in a League Championship game on December 23, 1951 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vic Stein/NFL)

Bobby Layne of the Detroit Lions in a 1956 game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by George Gellatly/NFL)

Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne rolls out to pass during a 1959 game played at Pitt Stadium. He's wearing no facemask, no thigh pads, and no knee pads. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 15: Running back Bobby Epps #35 of the New York Giants runs upfield against the San Francisco 49ers at Kezar Stadium on August 15, 1954 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Giants 43-35. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL Photos)

Detroit Lions Hall of Fame safety Jack Christiansen intercepts Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham's pass to Hall of Fame wide receiver Darryl Brewster in a 56-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns in a League Championship game on December 26, 1954 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Tim Culek/NFL)

Philadelphia Eagles center-linebacker Chuck Bednarik, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1967, circa the early-1950s. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Cleveland Browns head coach Paul Brown (Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1967) holds up the foot of kicker Lou Groza (Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1974) following the Browns 30-28 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on December 24, 1950, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Groza kicked a field goal in the waning moments to complete a come-from-behind victory. (Photo by Pro Football Hall Of Fame/NFL)

Hall of Fame defensive back Dick "Night Train" Lane of the Chicago Cardinals. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Dick "Night Train" Lane, defensive back of the Detroit Lions. In 1952, the 24-year-old Lane showed up at the Los Angeles Rams training camp looking for a job because he disliked his current occupation at an aircraft factory. In his rookie season he set an NFL single season record for interceptions with 14, which stands to this day. From 1954 to 1963, Lane made the All-pro team 6 times and was selected to 7 pro bowls. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Running back Doak Walker of the Detroit Lions jumps over a tackler in a 24 to 19 loss to the New York Giants on December 11, 1955 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 24: Running back Doak Walker #37 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Tiger Stadium on October 24, 1954 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the 49ers 48-7. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula played defensive back for the Baltimore Colts from 1953-1956. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Washington Redskins Hall of Fame defensive back Don Shula circa 1957. Shula�s record as head coach of the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1969 and the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1995 is unmatched in NFL history. In 1995, he concluded his 33rd season as the winningest NFL head coach ever with a career mark of 347-173-6 (.665). (Photo by Nate Fine/NFL)

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 2: Running back Eddie Macon #25 of the Chicago Bears runs upfield against the San Francisco 49ers at Kezar Stadium on November 2, 1952 in San Francisco, California. The Bears defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL Photos)

Hall of Fame wide receiver Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams in a game against the Green Bay Packers. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)

Wide receiver Elroy Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams. He established a new league record at the time of 1,495 yards receiving. It wasn' t just the number of long-gainers but the way he did the job that set Hirsch apart from all others. "Crazylegs" had a unique running style that made him famous. When running downfield, his muscular legs seemed to gyrate in six different directions at once. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Hall of Fame wide receiver Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Los Angeles Rams Hall of Fame running back Elroy Hirsch in a 24-17 win over the Cleveland Browns in a League Championship game on December 23, 1951 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vic Stein/NFL)

Frank Gifford of the University of Southern California. Gifford joined the New York Giants as their No. 1 draft choice in 1952. In 1956, he was the NFL's Most Valuable Player as he paced the Giants to a league championship. Six times he was named first- or second-team All-NFL.(Photo by University of Southern California/NFL)

Detroit Lions guard Harley Sewell circa 1956. Equally skilled at either pass or run blocking, he was at his best when leading the running back on sweeps, inside traps and counter plays. Harley�s quick feet and acceleration, allowed him to clear out larger defenders before they had time to counter his attack. Harley was the number-one draft choice for Detroit out of the University of Texas in 1953. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Chicago Bears wide receiver Harlon Hill. Hill was the NFL�s rookie of the year in 1954, its most valuable player in 1955, and a three-time All-Pro selection (1954-1956). He is the namesake of the Harlon Hill Trophy. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Chicago Bears wide receiver Harlon Hill is wide open downfield for a reception in a 34-23 win over the San Francisco 49ers on October 23, 1955 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL)

CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 1: Guard Harold Bradley Jr. #60 of the Cleveland Browns poses for a photo during training camp on August 1, 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by NFL Photos/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers defensive back Dick Moegle (47) intercepts a pass intended for Bears flanker Harlon Hill (87) during the 49ers 21-17 victory over the Chicago Bears on October 27, 1957 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Fred Matthes/NFL)

Detroit Lions linebacker/kicker Jim Martin waits on the bench during a game circa 1957. Martin played fourteen seasons, from 1950-1961 and 1963-1964, mainly for the Detroit Lions. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1961 season. (Photo by George Gellatly/NFL)

Tight end Jim Mutscheller (84) of the Baltimore Colts makes a catch in a 45 to 17 win over the Green Bay Packers on October 13, 1957 at County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)

Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas in a 1955 rookie photo for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was cut, so he played semi-pro for a year before he was picked up by the Baltimore Colts. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas during a rookie training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1955. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas (19) prepares to hand off in a 31-16 win over the New York Giants in a Championship game on December 27, 1959 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Fred Roe/NFL)

The 1953 Los Angeles Rams African-American players defensive back/offensive end Dick " Night Train " Lane, " fullback Deacon " Dan Towler, fullback Paul " Tank " Younger, halfback Woodley Lewis, and guard Hank Thompson. (Photo by Vic Stein/NFL)

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 1: Head coach Sid Gillman of the Los Angeles Rams poses for a photo with linebackers Dick Daugherty #50 and Bob Dougherty #57and defensive tackle Art Hauser #65 and center John Houser #63 on August 1, 1957 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Pro Football Hall of Fame/NFL Photos)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 3: Defensive back Yale Lary #28 of the Detroit Lions defends a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Clyde Conner during a game at Kezar Stadium on December 22, 1957 in San Francisco, California. The Lions defeated the 49ers 31-27. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL Photos)

Hall of Fame tackle Lou Creekmur of the Detroit Lions looks to block in a 1957 game. Creekmur played every pre-season, regular-season and post-season game during his first nine campaigns and, going into his final season, owned a streak of more than 165 consecutive game appearances. He was selected to eight consecutive Pro Bowl classics from 1950 through 1957. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL)

Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1971 quarterback Norm Van Brocklin played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1949 to 1957 and with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1958 to 1960. Van Brocklin was an exceptional passer who once threw for 554 yards in 1951. (Photo by Pro Football Hall Of Fame/NFL)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 4: Running back Ollie Matson #33 of the Los Angeles Rams is lead by guard Alex Lansford #63 on a sweep with defensive tackle Charlie Krueger #70 of the San Francisco 49ers in pursuit at Kezar Stadium on September 20, 1959 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Rams 34-0. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL Photos)

Philadelphia Eagles end Pete Pihos, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1970, circa the early 1950s. During his nine seasons of play, he missed just one game. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -OCTOBER 28: Running back Rick Casares #35 of the Chicago Bears runs upfield against the San Francisco 49ers on October 28, 1956 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, California. The Bears defeated the 49ers 38-21. (Photo by Frank Rippon/NFL Photos)

Hall of Fame linebacker Joe Schmidt of the Detroit Lions tackles Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr. (Photo by Vernon Biever/NFL)

Hall of Fame guard-defensive tackle Stan Jones of the Chicago Bears. Jones possessed size, quickness and strength. He was one of the first pro football players to concentrate on a weight-lifting program to build him into playing condition. He missed only two games his first 11 seasons. He was an All-NFL guard in 1955, 1956, 1959, and 1960 and played in seven straight Pro Bowls. (Photo by Pro Football Hall Of Fame/NFL)

Defensive coordiantor Ernie Stautner and head coach Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys on the sidelines in a 20 to 13 win over the Los Angeles Rams on September 3, 1984 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Diane Johnson/NFL)

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Tommy McDonald, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 1998, circa 1959. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Waterfield with Tom Fears and Norm Van Brocklin of the Los Angeles Rams in 1951. (Photo by Vic Stein/NFL)

Wille Thrower, Michigan State University quarterback became the first black quarterback in the NFL. Coming off the bench for the Chicago Bears, he threw only eight passes - connecting on three - and became an immediate trailblazer for African American athletes. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle circa 1950's. Tittle played 17 seasons for four teams, ending his career as the leader of the New York Giants. (Photo by NFL/NFL)

Hall of Fame punter, punt returner, defensive back and running back Yale Lary of the Detroit Lions. (Photo by NFL/NFL)