American Football League Rookies of the Year
Encyclopedia
In each year of its ten-year existence (1960 - 1969), numerous sports-news services named their choice for the American Football League
's best first-year player. The choices by the major services are shown below.
, halfback, Dallas Texans
(UPI, TSN
)
In 1960, though drafted by the NFL, Haynes chose to play for the American Football League's Dallas Texans, and led the AFL in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns in the league’s first year. Haynes helped launch the AFL as the fledgling league's first Most Valuable Player
, and its first Rookie of the Year (in 1961, all players in the league were technically rookies). He captured the AFL's first rushing crown with 875 yards, and also led the Texans in receiving, punt returns, and kickoff returns.
, defensive end, San Diego Chargers
(UPI, TSN
)
Despite being double and triple-teamed, Earl Faison was chosen as the AFL Rookie of the Year in 1961. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Faison blew by opposing offensive lineman on his way to smashing American Football League quarterbacks as one of the original "Fearsome Foursome", and was chosen to the AFL All-Star
team in 1961.
, fullback, Dallas Texans
(UPI, TSN
)
McClinton had 604 Yards on 111 carries for a 5.4 yards per carry average and two touchdowns. He added 333 yards on 29 receptions and was a member of the 1962 AFL All-Star
team.
(UPI, TSN
)
An eleventh-round draft choice by the Broncos, Joe had 646 yards on 154 carries for a 4.2 yards per carry average, four rushing touchdowns, and a reception for a touchdown.
, fullback, New York Jets
(UPI, TSN
)
Selected in the third round in the NFL draft, Matt Snell was picked in the first round as the first player drafted by the AFL's New York franchise after new owner Sonny Werblin
changed the team's name from the Titans of New York
. Snell rolled up 948 yards on 215 carries, for a 4.4 yards per carry average, with an additional 393 yards on 56 receptions, with four touchdowns rushing and one receiving. He was also named to the 1964 AFL All-Star
team.
, quarterback, New York Jets
(UPI, TSN
)
Choosing the American Football League's Jets (and $427,000) over the NFL, Namath was 164 of 340 for 2,220 yards and 18 touchdowns in his rookie season for the Jets, and was selected to the 1965 AFL All-Star
team.
, halfback, Buffalo Bills
(UPI, TSN
)
Arkansas
' Bobby Burnett had a combined total of 1,185 yards rushing and receiving at the halfback position, with over 12 yards per catch and 4 touchdowns on 34 receptions, and 766 yards on 187 rushes, with 4 rushing touchdowns. He was also selected to the 1966 AFL All-Star
team.
(UPI)
George Webster created the "roverback" position, as a linebacker with a defensive back's moves and speed. He started as a rookie and had 15 tackles in his first game. The Oilers' defense held opponents under 200 points in 1967, helping them win the East Division title. He averaged more than ten tackles a game and was first-team All-AFL
in 1967.
DICKIE POST
, halfback, San Diego Chargers
(TSN
)
Dickie Post rushed for 691 yards and 7 touchdowns on 161 carries in 1967, and caught 32 passes with the Chargers for 278 yards and a touchdown. He made the AFL All-Star
team in 1967 and would make it again in 1969.
(UPI, TSN
)
Paul Robinson played only one year at the University of Arizona
, but in his first year as a professional, he gained 1,023 yards rushing and scored eight touchdowns. He was named to the 1968 All-AFL
team and led the Western AFL All-Star
team to victory over the Eastern All-Stars.
, quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
(UPI)
The University of Cincinnati
's 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback Greg Cook stayed in Cincinnati to play professional football. In his rookie year, he passed for 1,854 yards and 15 touchdowns. Injury prevented him from reaching his potential with the Bengals.
CARL GARRETT
, halfback, Boston Patriots
(TSN
)
Carl Garrett caught 29 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns in 1969, and ran the ball for over five yards per carry with 137 attempts for 691 yards and five touchdowns. He was also selected to the AFL All-Star
team in 1969.
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
's best first-year player. The choices by the major services are shown below.
1960
ABNER HAYNESAbner Haynes
Abner Haynes is a former college and professional football player in the United States.Haynes is a graduate of North Texas State University where he and his then teammate Leon King integrated college football in the state of Texas in 1956...
, halfback, Dallas Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(UPI, TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
In 1960, though drafted by the NFL, Haynes chose to play for the American Football League's Dallas Texans, and led the AFL in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns in the league’s first year. Haynes helped launch the AFL as the fledgling league's first Most Valuable Player
American Football League Most Valuable Players
During its ten-year existence , the American Football League's best player for each year was called the Most Valuable Player by some sports-news sources and the Player of the Year by others...
, and its first Rookie of the Year (in 1961, all players in the league were technically rookies). He captured the AFL's first rushing crown with 875 yards, and also led the Texans in receiving, punt returns, and kickoff returns.
1961
EARL FAISONEarl Faison
Earl Faison was an American college and Professional Football player who played in the American Football League between 1960 and 1966...
, defensive end, San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(UPI, TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
Despite being double and triple-teamed, Earl Faison was chosen as the AFL Rookie of the Year in 1961. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Faison blew by opposing offensive lineman on his way to smashing American Football League quarterbacks as one of the original "Fearsome Foursome", and was chosen to the AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
team in 1961.
1962
CURTIS McCLINTONCurtis McClinton
Curtis McClinton is a former collegiate and professional American football player.McClinton attended Wichita High School North in Wichita, Kansas before attending the University of Kansas. A three-time All-Big Eight selection as a Jayhawk, McClinton led the team in rushing in 1959 and rushed for...
, fullback, Dallas Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(UPI, TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
McClinton had 604 Yards on 111 carries for a 5.4 yards per carry average and two touchdowns. He added 333 yards on 29 receptions and was a member of the 1962 AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
team.
1963
BILLY JOE, fullback, Denver BroncosDenver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(UPI, TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
An eleventh-round draft choice by the Broncos, Joe had 646 yards on 154 carries for a 4.2 yards per carry average, four rushing touchdowns, and a reception for a touchdown.
1964
MATT SNELLMatt Snell
Matt Snell was the American Football League's New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin's first coup, prior to his 1965 acquisition of Joe Namath...
, fullback, New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(UPI, TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
Selected in the third round in the NFL draft, Matt Snell was picked in the first round as the first player drafted by the AFL's New York franchise after new owner Sonny Werblin
Sonny Werblin
David Abraham "Sonny" Werblin was a prominent entertainment industry executive and sports impresario who was an owner of the New York Jets, Chairman of Madison Square Gardens, and who built and managed the Meadowlands Sports Complex.A graduate of Rutgers University, Werblin went to work for Music...
changed the team's name from the Titans of New York
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Snell rolled up 948 yards on 215 carries, for a 4.4 yards per carry average, with an additional 393 yards on 56 receptions, with four touchdowns rushing and one receiving. He was also named to the 1964 AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
team.
1965
JOE NAMATHJoe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
, quarterback, New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(UPI, TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
Choosing the American Football League's Jets (and $427,000) over the NFL, Namath was 164 of 340 for 2,220 yards and 18 touchdowns in his rookie season for the Jets, and was selected to the 1965 AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
team.
1966
BOBBY BURNETTBobby Burnett
Bobby Clell Burnett is a former college and professional American football player.Originally a halfback from the University of Arkansas, Burnett in 1966, his first year with the American Football League's Buffalo Bills, had a combined total of 1,185 yards rushing and receiving, with over 12 yards...
, halfback, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(UPI, TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
' Bobby Burnett had a combined total of 1,185 yards rushing and receiving at the halfback position, with over 12 yards per catch and 4 touchdowns on 34 receptions, and 766 yards on 187 rushes, with 4 rushing touchdowns. He was also selected to the 1966 AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
team.
1967
GEORGE WEBSTER, linebacker, Houston OilersTennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
(UPI)
George Webster created the "roverback" position, as a linebacker with a defensive back's moves and speed. He started as a rookie and had 15 tackles in his first game. The Oilers' defense held opponents under 200 points in 1967, helping them win the East Division title. He averaged more than ten tackles a game and was first-team All-AFL
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
in 1967.
DICKIE POST
Dickie Post
Richard M. "Dickie" Post was a college and professional American football player. A halfback, he played for the American Football League's San Diego Chargers and was the UPI choice for AFL Rookie of the Year in 1967.-Football career:...
, halfback, San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
Dickie Post rushed for 691 yards and 7 touchdowns on 161 carries in 1967, and caught 32 passes with the Chargers for 278 yards and a touchdown. He made the AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
team in 1967 and would make it again in 1969.
1968
PAUL ROBINSON, halfback, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
(UPI, TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
Paul Robinson played only one year at the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, but in his first year as a professional, he gained 1,023 yards rushing and scored eight touchdowns. He was named to the 1968 All-AFL
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
team and led the Western AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
team to victory over the Eastern All-Stars.
1969
GREG COOKGreg Cook
Gregory Lynn Cook , is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback.-Early career:...
, quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
(UPI)
The University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
's 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback Greg Cook stayed in Cincinnati to play professional football. In his rookie year, he passed for 1,854 yards and 15 touchdowns. Injury prevented him from reaching his potential with the Bengals.
CARL GARRETT
Carl Garrett
Carl L. Garrett is a former American football halfback who began his professional career with the American Football League's Boston Patriots....
, halfback, Boston Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
(TSN
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
)
Carl Garrett caught 29 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns in 1969, and ran the ball for over five yards per carry with 137 attempts for 691 yards and five touchdowns. He was also selected to the AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
team in 1969.