American Football Database
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{{short description|American football quarterback, punter, and coach}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
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{{lead too short|date=December 2017}}
 
{{Infobox NFL player
 
{{Infobox NFL player
|image=Norm Van Brocklin.jpg
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| image = Norm Van Brocklin 1974.JPG
|image_size=275px
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| image_size = 220
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| caption = Van Brocklin in 1974
|currentnumber=11, 25
 
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| number = 11, 25
|currentposition=Quarterback
 
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| position= [[Quarterback]]
|birth_date={{Birth date|1926|3|15}}
 
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1926|3|15|mf=y}}
|birth_place=Parade, [[Dewey County, South Dakota]]
 
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| birth_place = [[Parade, South Dakota]]<ref name="Grasso 413">{{cite book|last=Grasso|first=John|title=Historical Dictionary of Football|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YTUPQ2Zm-dQC&pg=PA413|date=June 13, 2013|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-7857-0|page=413}}</ref>
|death_date={{death date and age|1983|5|2|1926|3|15}}
 
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1983|5|2|1926|3|15|mf=y}}
|death_place=[[Social Circle, Georgia]]
 
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| death_place = [[Social Circle, Georgia]]
|debutyear=1949
 
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| height_ft = 6
|debutteam=Los Angeles Rams
 
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| height_in = 1
|finalyear=1960
 
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| weight_lbs = 190
|finalteam=Philadelphia Eagles
 
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| high_school = [[Acalanes High School|Lafayette (CA) Acalanes]]
|draftyear=1949
 
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| college = [[Oregon Ducks football|Oregon]]
|draftround=4
 
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| draftyear = 1949
|draftpick=37
 
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| draftround = 4
|coachdebutyear=1961
 
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| draftpick = 37
|coachdebutteam=Minnesota Vikings
 
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| teams =
|coachfinalyear=1974
 
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* [[Los Angeles Rams]] ({{NFL Year|1949}}–{{NFL Year|1957}})
|coachfinalteam=Atlanta Falcons
 
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* [[Philadelphia Eagles]] ({{NFL Year|1958}}–{{NFL Year|1960}})
|highschool=[[Acalanes High School|Lafayette (CA) Acalanes]]
 
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| pastcoaching =
|college=[[Oregon Ducks football|Oregon]]
 
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* [[Minnesota Vikings]] ({{NFL Year|1961}}–{{NFL Year|1966}})
|teams=<nowiki></nowiki>
 
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* [[Atlanta Falcons]] ({{NFL Year|1968}}–{{NFL Year|1974}})
'''As player:'''
 
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| highlights =
*[[St. Louis Rams|Los Angeles Rams]] ({{NFL Year|1949}}–{{NFL Year|1957}})
 
*[[Philadelphia Eagles]] ({{NFL Year|1958}}–{{NFL Year|1960}})
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*[[NFL champion]] ([[1951 NFL Championship Game|1951]], [[1960 NFL Championship Game|1960]])
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* 9× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1951 Pro Bowl|1950]]–[[1956 Pro Bowl|1955]], [[1959 Pro Bowl|1958]]–[[1961 Pro Bowl|1960]])
'''As coach:'''
 
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* First-team [[All-Pro]] (1960)
*[[Minnesota Vikings]] ({{NFL Year|1961}}–{{NFL Year|1966}})
 
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* 3× Second-team [[All-Pro]] (1952, 1954, 1955)
*[[Atlanta Falcons]] ({{NFL Year|1968}}–{{NFL Year|1974}})
 
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* [[NFL Most Valuable Player]] (1960)
|highlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
 
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* [[Bert Bell Award]] (1960)
* 9× [[Pro Bowl]] selection ([[1951 Pro Bowl|1950]], [[1952 Pro Bowl|1951]], [[1953 Pro Bowl|1952]], [[1954 Pro Bowl|1953]], [[1955 Pro Bowl|1954]], [[1956 Pro Bowl|1955]], [[1959 Pro Bowl|1958]], [[1960 Pro Bowl|1959]], [[1961 Pro Bowl|1960]])
 
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* [[List of NFL season passing yards leaders|NFL passing yards leader]] (1954)
* ''[[Associated Press|AP]]'' First-Team [[All-Pro]] (1960)
 
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* NFL record 554 passing yards in a game
* 2× ''UPI'' Second-Team [[All-Pro]] (1952, 1955)
 
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* [[Philadelphia Eagles#Eagles Hall of Fame|Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame]]
* 2× [[NFL]] champion (1951, 1960)
 
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| statlabel1 = Pass attempts
* 1960 [[NFL MVP]] (''[[NFL_MVP_Award#Associated_Press_NFL_POY.2FMVP_Award|AP]]'', ''[[National_Football_League_Most_Valuable_Player_Award#United_Press_International_NFL_POY_Award|UPI]]'', ''[[NFL_MVP_Award#Newspaper_Enterprise_Association_NFL_MVP_Award|NEA]]'', ''[[NFL_MVP_Award#Sporting_News_NFL_MVP_Award|SN]]'', [[Bert Bell Award|MX]])
 
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| statvalue1 = 2,895
* Only QB to win an NFL championship with two different teams
 
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| statlabel2 = Pass completions
* NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
 
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| statvalue2 = 1,553
* [[College Football Hall of Fame]] inductee (1966)
 
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| statlabel3 = Percentage
* [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] inductee (1971)
 
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| statvalue3 = 53.6
* [[Philadelphia Eagles#Eagles Hall of Fame|Eagles Hall of Fame]] inductee (1987)
 
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| statlabel4 = [[Touchdown|TD]]–[[Interception|INT]]
|statseason=1960
 
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| statvalue4 = 173–178
|statlabel1=Pass attempts
 
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| statlabel5 = Passing yards
|statvalue1=2,895
 
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| statvalue5 = 23,611
|statlabel2=Pass completions
 
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| statlabel6 = [[Passer rating]]
|statvalue2=1,553
 
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| statvalue6 = 75.1
|statlabel3=Percentage
 
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| nfl = VAN269376
|statvalue3=53.6
 
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| CollegeHOF = 1695
|statlabel4=[[Touchdown|TD]]-[[Interception|INT]]
 
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| HOF = norm-van-brocklin
|statvalue4=173-178
 
|statlabel5=Passing Yards
 
|statvalue5=23,611
 
|statlabel6=[[Passer rating|QB Rating]]
 
|statvalue6=75.1
 
|nfl=VAN269376
 
|CollegeHOF=40091
 
|HOF=221
 
 
}}
 
}}
'''Norman Mack "Norm" Van Brocklin''' (March 15, 1926 – May 2, 1983), nicknamed '''"The Dutchman"''', was an [[American football]]
 
quarterback, punter, and coach in the [[National Football League]]. Van Brocklin was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.aspx?RELEASE_ID=822|title=History Release
 
|publisher= The Official Site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame|accessdate= September 6, 2012}}</ref>
 
   
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'''Norman Mack Van Brocklin''' (March 15, 1926 – May 2, 1983), nicknamed '''"The Dutchman"''' was an [[American football]] quarterback, punter, and coach in the [[National Football League]]. He was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.aspx?RELEASE_ID=822 |title=History Release |publisher=The Official Site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame |accessdate=September 6, 2012}}</ref>
==Early life==
 
Van Brocklin was born in Parade, [[Dewey County, South Dakota]], to Mack and Ethel Van Brocklin and grew up in [[Walnut Creek, California]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CtseAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zGUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4886,2758333
 
|title=Norm van Brocklin calls it quits
 
|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune
 
|date=February 7, 1967
 
|accessdate=September 27, 2011
 
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 
|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1709745162.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+24%2C+1962&author=&pub=The+Sun+%281837-1985%29&desc=VAN+BROCKLIN+RARE+COACH&pqatl=google
 
|title=Van Brocklin rare coach
 
|last=Atwater
 
|first=Edward C
 
|newspaper=Baltimore Sun
 
|date=September 24, 1962
 
|accessdate=September 27, 2011
 
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 
|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/660625982.html?dids=660625982:660625982&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+03%2C+1972&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Van+Brocklin%3A+The+Dutchman+Nobody+Knows&pqatl=google
 
|title=Van Brocklin: The Dutchman Nobody Knows
 
|last=Hall
 
|first=John
 
|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]
 
|date=November 3, 1972
 
|accessdate=September 27, 2011}}</ref> He played [[high school football]] at [[Acalanes High School]] in [[Lafayette, California]].
 
   
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==Early life==
Van Brocklin served in the [[United States Navy]] from 1943 through 1945.
 
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Born in [[Parade, South Dakota]],<ref name="Grasso 413" /> Van Brocklin was one of nine children of Mack and Ethel Van Brocklin. His father was a [[watchmaker]].<ref name=shjobitap>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bkMsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=384EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6558%2C1125696 |newspaper=Spartanburg Herald-Journal |location=South Carolina |agency=Associated Press |title=Van Brocklin dies of heart attack at age 57 |date=May 3, 1983 |page=2B}}</ref> The family moved to [[Northern California]] and settled in [[Walnut Creek, California|Walnut Creek]], east of [[Oakland, California|Oakland]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CtseAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zGUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4886,2758333 |title=Norm van Brocklin calls it quits |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=February 7, 1967 |accessdate=September 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1709745162.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+24%2C+1962&author=&pub=The+Sun+%281837-1985%29&desc=VAN+BROCKLIN+RARE+COACH&pqatl=google |title=Van Brocklin rare coach |last=Atwater |first=Edward C |newspaper=Baltimore Sun |date=September 24, 1962 |accessdate=September 27, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/660625982.html?dids=660625982:660625982&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+03%2C+1972&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Van+Brocklin%3A+The+Dutchman+Nobody+Knows&pqatl=google |title=Van Brocklin: The Dutchman Nobody Knows |last=Hall |first=John |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 3, 1972 |accessdate=September 27, 2011}}</ref> Van Brocklin was a three-sport standout at [[Acalanes High School]] in [[Lafayette, California|Lafayette]], where he quarterbacked the football team to a 5-3 record as a sophomore and a 4-2-2 record as a junior.<ref>{{Cite journal|url = |title = Acalanes '42|last = |first = |date = 1942|journal = Acalanes High School Yearbook|doi = |pmid = |access-date = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url = |title = Acalanes '43|last = |first = |date = 1943|journal = Acalanes High School Yearbook|doi = |pmid = |access-date = }}</ref> He served in the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] from 1943 through 1945, foregoing his senior year of high school.<ref name=af46yrs>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sEZWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E-sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3832%2C1340520 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |last=Clark |first=Bob |title=After 46 years, Van Brocklin's legacy lives on |date=September 5, 1995 |page=1D}}</ref>
   
 
==College career==
 
==College career==
Van Brocklin led the [[University of Oregon|Oregon]] Ducks to a 16-5 record as a starter, including tying with [[University of California, Berkeley|Cal]] for the 1948 title of the [[Pacific Coast Conference]], forerunner of the [[Pacific-10 Conference|Pac-10]]. Oregon did not go to the [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose Bowl]], however, because Cal was voted by the other schools to represent the PCC in the game. Among the Cal voters was the [[University of Washington]], which elevated the intensity of the [[Oregon-Washington rivalry]]. Oregon received an invitation to play [[SMU Mustangs football|SMU]] in the [[1949 Cotton Bowl Classic]], which they accepted. It was the first time that a Pacific Coast team played in a major bowl game other than the Rose Bowl. SMU won 20–13.<ref>"Year-by-Year Bowl Facts", ''Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book'', National Collegiate Athletic Association, p. 366, 2007.</ref> That season, Van Brocklin was honored with an [[All-America]] selection<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=40091 |title= Norm "The Dutchman" Van Brocklin |accessdate=February 16, 2010}}</ref> and finished sixth in the [[Heisman Trophy]] voting.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.heisman.com/winners/d-walker48.php |title= Winners |accessdate=February 16, 2010}}</ref> Coincidentally, the Heisman Trophy winner that year was SMU running back [[Doak Walker]]. Both Walker and Van Brocklin got Outstanding Player recognition for their performance in the Cotton Bowl Classic.<ref>[http://www.attcottonbowl.com/files/history/1949/rsrc/1949-Classic-Recap.pdf ''1949 Classic Recap''] ([[Portable Document Format|pdf]] format)</ref>
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Following World War II, Van Brocklin followed two former high school teammates north and enrolled at the [[University of Oregon]] in [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]].<ref name=af46yrs /> He became the starting quarterback in 1947 under first-year head coach [[Jim Aiken]],<ref name=osatrilb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bUMaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AyUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4568%2C3672387 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |agency=Associated Press |title=Oregon stars a Trilby for Svengali Jim Aiken |date=November 15, 1948 |page=2, final}}</ref><ref name=topdu>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sU9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t-sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5839%2C489265 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |last=Clark |first=Bob |title=Top Ducks |date=September 3, 1998 |page=3D}}</ref> and led the [[Oregon Ducks football|Ducks]] to a 16-5 record in his two seasons as a starter. In [[1948 college football season|1948]], Oregon tied with [[California Golden Bears football|California]] for the title of the [[Pacific Coast Conference]], forerunner of the [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-12]]. California was undefeated overall, and Oregon's only loss was at undefeated [[1948 Michigan Wolverines football team|Michigan]],<ref name=orsrelcl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5RdZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4736%2C6469256 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |title=Oregon suffers 14-0 loss, but shows real class |date=October 3, 1948 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=dhbsoos>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xExWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8esDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2879%2C4049256 |newspaper=Euegene Register-Guard |last=Bellamy |first=Ron |title=Ducks have been shut out of success against the Wolverines |date=September 19, 2003 |page=B1}}</ref> that year's [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national champions]], and the Ducks had seven victories in the PCC to Cal's six.<ref name=fccst>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4-tXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4350%2C5692521 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |title=Final Coast Conference standings |date=November 21, 1948 |page=1}}</ref> Oregon did not go to the [[1949 Rose Bowl|Rose Bowl]], however, because Cal was voted by the other schools to represent the PCC in the game. Oregon needed only a 5-5 tie vote, as Cal had been to the game more recently, and with six Northwest schools and four in California, appeared favored to advance. Oregon had opted for a playoff game, but California declined.<ref name=cabgrbb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5OtXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6013%2C5895061 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=United Press |title=California Bears get Rose Bowl Bid |date=November 22, 1948 |page=1}}</ref> Among the Cal voters was the [[University of Washington]], which elevated the intensity of the [[Oregon-Washington rivalry]]. Breaking with tradition, the PCC allowed Oregon to accept an invitation to play [[1948 SMU Mustangs football team|SMU]] in the [[Cotton Bowl Classic|Cotton Bowl]] in [[Dallas]]. It was the first time that a Pacific Coast team played in a major bowl game other than the Rose Bowl (a policy which was continued by the Pac-8 through 1974). Both Oregon and California lost their New Year's Day bowl games.<ref name=ocbdbg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=erFhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6372%2C3839592 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |last=Strite |first=Dick |title=Oregon, Cal both drop bowl games |date=January 2, 1949 |page=1}}</ref><ref>"Year-by-Year Bowl Facts", ''Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book'', National Collegiate Athletic Association, p. 366, 2007.</ref> That season, Van Brocklin was honored with an [[All-America]] selection<ref>{{College Football HoF|id=1695|name=Norm "The Dutchman" Van Brocklin |accessdate=February 16, 2010}}</ref> and finished sixth in the [[Heisman Trophy]] voting.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heisman.com/winners/d-walker48.php |title=Winners |accessdate=February 16, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404063128/http://www.heisman.com/winners/d-walker48.php |archivedate=April 4, 2010 |df= }}</ref> Coincidentally, the Heisman Trophy winner that year was SMU running back [[Doak Walker]]. Both Walker and Van Brocklin got Outstanding Player recognition for their performance in the Cotton Bowl Classic.<ref>[http://www.attcottonbowl.com/files/history/1949/rsrc/1949-Classic-Recap.pdf ''1949 Classic Recap'']{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ([[Portable Document Format|pdf]] format)</ref>
   
Van Brocklin left Oregon for the NFL with one remaining year of college eligibility. At that time, a player was not allowed to join the NFL until four years after graduating from high school. Though he had only been at the University of Oregon for three years, he was eligible due to his time in the Navy during [[World War II]].
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Van Brocklin left Oregon for the NFL with one remaining year of college eligibility. At that time, a player was not allowed to join the NFL until four years after graduating from high school. Though he had only been at the University of Oregon for three years, he was eligible due to his time in the Navy during [[World War II]]. At age 23, he completed his bachelor's degree in June 1949.<ref name=vbipc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xzISAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yvADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6491%2C994459 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=United Press |title=Van Brocklin inks contract with pro Rams |date=July 12, 1949 |page=11}}</ref><ref name=nvbswrm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CNRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2_EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4439%2C4678489 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |title=Norm Van Brocklin signs with Rams |date=July 12, 1949 |page=14}}</ref>
   
 
==Professional playing career==
 
==Professional playing career==
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[[File:Van Brocklin 1951 Bowman.jpg|thumb|185px|Van Brocklin depicted in 1951]]
Van Brocklin was [[NFL draft|drafted]] in the fourth round (37th overall) of the [[1949 NFL Draft]] by the [[St. Louis Rams|Los Angeles Rams]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VanBNo00.htm|title= Norm Van Brocklin
 
|publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.com|accessdate= September 6, 2012}}</ref> He joined a team that already had a star quarterback, [[Bob Waterfield]]. Beginning in 1950, new Rams coach [[Joe Stydahar]] solved his problem by platooning Waterfield and Van Brocklin. The 1950 Rams scored an (at that time) NFL record 466 points (38.8 per game - which is still a record) with a high octane passing attack featuring [[Tom Fears]] and [[Elroy Hirsch|Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch]]. Fears led the league and set a new NFL record with 84 receptions. Van Brocklin and Waterfield finished 1-2 in passer rating as well. They were defeated by the [[Cleveland Browns]] in the 1950 title game, 30-28.
 
   
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===Los Angeles Rams===
In 1951, Van Brocklin and Waterfield again split quarterbacking duties and the Rams again won the West. That year, Hirsch set an NFL record with 1,495 receiving yards and tied [[Don Hutson]]'s record of 17 touchdown receptions. This time, the Rams won the title rematch against Cleveland, 24-17. Waterfield (9-24, 125 yards) took most of the snaps, but Van Brocklin (4-6, 128 yards) threw the game winner of 73 yards to Fears. This was the last Rams championship until 1999. Also in 1951, on September 28, Van Brocklin threw for 554 yards, breaking [[Johnny Lujack]]'s single-game record of 468, a mark that still stands more than 60 years later.
 
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Van Brocklin was selected 37th overall in the [[1949 NFL Draft]], taken in the fourth round by the [[1949 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VanBNo00.htm |title=Norm Van Brocklin |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com |accessdate=September 6, 2012}}</ref> Teams were not sure if he planned to play the 1949 season in college or not, so he fell in the draft,<ref name=vbipc /> conducted in December 1948. Van Brocklin signed with the Rams in July and joined a team that already had a star quarterback, [[Bob Waterfield]]. Beginning in [[1950 Los Angeles Rams season|1950]], new Rams coach [[Joe Stydahar]] solved his problem by platooning Waterfield and Van Brocklin. The 1950 Rams scored a then-record 466 points (38.8 per game – which is still a record) with a high octane passing attack featuring [[Tom Fears]] and [[Elroy Hirsch|Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch]]. Fears led the league and set a new NFL record with 84 receptions. Van Brocklin and Waterfield finished 1-2 in passer rating as well. They were defeated by the [[1950 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] in the [[1950 NFL Championship Game|1950 title game]], 30-28.<ref name=bwpttl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PORXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OfYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3288%2C3376839 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |title=Browns win pro title; Groza's kick thriller |date=December 25, 1950 |page=25}}</ref>
   
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In [[1951 Los Angeles Rams season|1951]], Van Brocklin and Waterfield again split quarterbacking duties and the Rams again won the West. That year, Hirsch set an NFL record with 1,495 receiving yards and tied [[Don Hutson]]'s record of 17 touchdown receptions. This time, the Rams won the [[1951 NFL Championship Game|title rematch]] against Cleveland, 24-17.<ref name=pitches>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d-VXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q_YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2185%2C3208542 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Van Brocklin pitches L.A. Rams to victory |date=December 24, 1951 |page=10}}</ref> Waterfield (9-24, 125 yards) took most of the snaps at the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|L.A. Coliseum]], but Van Brocklin (4-6, 128 yards) threw a game-winning 73-yard touchdown pass to Fears.<ref name=pitches /> It was the Rams' only NFL championship while based in southern California; their next came in [[1999 St. Louis Rams season|1999]], several years after the move east to [[St. Louis]].
From 1952 to 1957, Van Brocklin continued to quarterback the Rams, leading them to the title game again in 1955. In that game, the Browns defeated the Rams 38-14 while Van Brocklin threw six interceptions.
 
   
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Earlier in 1951 on opening night, Van Brocklin threw for an NFL record 554 yards on September 28, breaking [[Johnny Lujack]]'s single-game record of 468 set two years earlier. Waterfield was injured so Van Brocklin played the entire game and completed 27 of 41 attempts with five touchdowns. Despite the increase in passing attacks by NFL teams in recent years, the yardage record still stands, set {{Years or months ago|1951}}.<ref name=pfhofvbody>{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/decades/1950s/norm_van_brocklin.aspx |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame |title=History: Norm Van Brocklin's record-setting 554 yards |accessdate=October 28, 2014}}</ref><ref name=rsyiopr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m91LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tYoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3733%2C3015498 |newspaper=Free Lance-Star |agency=Associated Press |last=Myers |first=Bob |title=Rams smack Yanks in opener 54-14 |date=September 29, 1951 |page=5}}</ref>
In 1958, Van Brocklin joined the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] under famed head coach, [[Buck Shaw]]. Shaw gave Van Brocklin total control of the Eagle offense. Steadily, Van Brocklin improved the Eagles' attack. In the [[1960 NFL Championship Game]], throwing to his favorite receiver, 5' 9", 176 pound [[Tommy McDonald (American football)|Tommy McDonald]], Van Brocklin quarterbacked the Eagles to victory against the [[Green Bay Packers]]. In a game dominated by defense, he led a fourth quarter comeback resulting in a final score of 17-13.
 
   
  +
Waterfield retired after the [[1952 Los Angeles Rams season|1952]] season and Van Brocklin continued to quarterback the Rams, leading them to the [[1955 NFL Championship Game|title game]] again in [[1955 Los Angeles Rams season|1955]], hosted at the L.A. Coliseum. In that game, the visiting [[1955 Cleveland Browns season|Browns]] crushed the Rams 38-14 as Van Brocklin threw six interceptions.<ref name=bbrirt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qT9YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0PYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5207%2C6568121 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |title=Browns blast Rams in record tilt |date=December 27, 1955 |page=15}}</ref> In early January 1958, he announced his retirement from pro football after nine seasons and had plans to enter private business in Oregon at [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]].<ref name=vbretarqgap>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nSANAAAAIBAJ&sjid=52oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3516%2C610268 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |title=Van Brocklin retires as Rams' quarterback |date=January 3, 1958 |page=16}}</ref><ref name=hipress>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S_lVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qOIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4669%2C290798 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |title=High pressure of running club one reason Van quit LA Rams |date=January 3, 1958 |page=9}}</ref>
During his twelve-year career, Van Brocklin played on two championship teams in the [[National Football League]]: the 1951 Los Angeles Rams and the 1960 Philadelphia Eagles. Following the latter triumph, he retired. As it turned out, his Eagles team would be the only team to defeat the Packers in a playoff game during [[Vince Lombardi]]'s tenure as Green Bay's head coach.<ref>Longman, Jere. [http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/sports/football/07eagles.html "Eagles’ 1960 Victory Was an N.F.L. Turning Point"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', January 6, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2011.</ref> Van Brocklin led the NFL in passing three times and in punting twice. On nine occasions, he was selected to the Pro Bowl.
 
  +
  +
===Philadelphia Eagles===
  +
Less than five months later in late May, Van Brocklin changed his mind and was traded to the [[1958 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] for two players (offensive lineman [[Buck Lansford]] and defensive end [[Jimmy Harris (defensive back)|Jimmy Harris]]) and a [[1959 NFL draft#Round one|first round draft pick]].<ref name=eggtvbrl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p3xRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SxAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5891%2C3760659 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=press dispatches |title=Eagles get Van Brocklin |date=May 27, 1958 |page=3, part 2}}</ref><ref name=vbttobrm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dXQzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ruIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5583%2C4739431 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |title=Van Brocklin traded to Eagles by Rams |date=May 26, 1958 |page=2B}}</ref> It was disclosed he did not want to play another season for the Rams under head coach [[Sid Gillman]]'s offense, but it was not a personality issue with Gillman.<ref name=eggtvbrl /> Under famed head coach [[Buck Shaw]], Van Brocklin was given total control of the offense in Philadelphia in [[1958 Philadelphia Eagles season|1958]], and he steadily improved the Eagles' attack. In his third and final season with Philly in [[1960 Philadelphia Eagles season|1960]], the team had the best regular season record in league at 10-2, and hosted the [[1960 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] in the [[1960 NFL Championship Game|NFL Championship Game]] at [[Franklin Field]]. Throwing to his favorite receiver, {{height|ft=5|in=9}} {{convert|176|lb|abbr=on}} [[Tommy McDonald (American football)|Tommy McDonald]], Van Brocklin led the Eagles to victory. In a game dominated by defense, he led a fourth quarter comeback, resulting in a final score of 17-13.<ref name=eagwinms>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PBEwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2xAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2948%2C3129427 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |last=Lea |first=Bud |title=Eagles win NFL title |date=December 27, 1960 |page=1, part 1}}</ref>
  +
  +
During his twelve-year career, Van Brocklin played on two NFL championship teams: the [[1951 Los Angeles Rams season|1951 Los Angeles Rams]] and the [[1960 Philadelphia Eagles season|1960 Philadelphia Eagles]]. Following the latter triumph, he retired. As it turned out, the Eagles were the only team to defeat the Packers in a playoff game during [[Vince Lombardi]]'s tenure as Green Bay's head coach.<ref>Longman, Jere. [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/sports/football/07eagles.html "Eagles’ 1960 Victory Was an N.F.L. Turning Point"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', January 6, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2011.</ref> Van Brocklin led the NFL in passing three times and in punting twice. On nine occasions, he was selected to the Pro Bowl.
   
 
==Coaching career==
 
==Coaching career==
Van Brocklin cut his ties with the Eagles after his belief that the team had reneged on an agreement to name him head coach to replace the retiring [[Buck Shaw]]. On January 18, 1961, he accepted the head coaching position for the expansion [[Minnesota Vikings]] and over the next six years Van Brocklin compiled a record of 29-51-4. The tenure was highlighted by his contentious relationship with quarterback [[Fran Tarkenton]]. Van Brocklin was displeased with Tarkenton's penchant for [[quarterback scramble|scrambling]], preferring that he stay in the pocket. The feud culminated with Van Brocklin's resignation on February 11, 1967. Tarkenton was traded to the [[New York Giants]] shortly after Van Brocklin's departure, but was reacquired by Van Brocklin's successor, [[Bud Grant]], in 1972.
 
   
  +
===Minnesota Vikings===
During his first year off the field in over two decades, Van Brocklin served as a commentator on 1967 NFL broadcasts for [[CBS]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.oregonsportshall.org/norm_van_brocklin.html|title=Norm Van Brocklin - Football|publisher= Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum|accessdate= September 6, 2012}}</ref>
 
  +
Van Brocklin cut his ties with the Eagles after his belief that the team had reneged on an agreement to name him head coach to replace the retiring [[Buck Shaw]]. On January 18, 1961, he accepted the head coaching position for the expansion [[1961 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]],<ref name=vbsavc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9PMZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UCMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3750%2C803150 |newspaper=Times-News |location=Hendersonville, North Carolina |title=Van Brocklin signs as Vikings' coach |date=January 19, 1961 |page=10}}</ref><ref name=vbhtcw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4f9VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0-IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6703%2C2921944 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |title=Van Brocklin hired to coach Vikings |date=January 18, 1961 |page=1D}}</ref> less than a month after winning the NFL Championship game. During his six years with Minnesota, Van Brocklin compiled a record of 29-51-4 ({{winning percentage|29|51|4}}). The tenure was highlighted by his contentious relationship with quarterback [[Fran Tarkenton]].<ref name=twrunc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8KlVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2181%2C1963318 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |title=Tarkenton will return 'under no circumstances' |date=February 11, 1967 |page=3B}}</ref> Van Brocklin was displeased with Tarkenton's penchant for [[quarterback scramble|scrambling]], preferring that he stay in the pocket. The feud culminated with Tarkenton's demand for a trade<ref name=twrunc /> and Van Brocklin's surprise resignation on February 11, 1967.<ref name=nvsurvk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8alVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2160%2C2085114 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |title=Van Brocklin surprises Viks – resigns |date=February 12, 1967 |page=3B}}</ref> Tarkenton was traded to the [[1967 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] shortly after Van Brocklin's departure,<ref name=gtdchftk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wJocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ymUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7232%2C1897567 |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |location=Florida |agency=Associated Press |title=Giants trade draft picks for Tarkenton |date=March 8, 1967 |page=18}}</ref> but was reacquired by Van Brocklin's successor, [[Bud Grant]], five years later in [[1972 Minnesota Vikings season|1972]].
  +
  +
During his first year off the field in over two decades, Van Brocklin served as a commentator on NFL broadcasts in [[1967 NFL season|1967]] for [[NFL on CBS|CBS]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oregonsportshall.org/norm_van_brocklin.html |title=Norm Van Brocklin – Football |publisher=Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum |accessdate=September 6, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315134710/http://oregonsportshall.org/norm_van_brocklin.html |archivedate=March 15, 2012 |df= }}</ref>
  +
  +
===Atlanta Falcons===
  +
In [[1968 NFL season|1968]], he took over as head coach of the [[1968 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] on October 1, replacing [[Norb Hecker]], who had started the season with three defeats, extending the team losing streak to ten games.<ref name=rsprvb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U9hVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5185%2C311260 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |last=Speer |first=Ron |title=Van to have 5-year pact |date=October 2, 1968 |page=1D}}</ref> Over the next seven seasons, Van Brocklin had mixed results, putting together a 37-49-3 mark. He led the team to its first winning season in [[1971 Atlanta Falcons season|1971]] with a 7-6-1 record, then challenged for a playoff spot in [[1973 Atlanta Falcons season|1973]] with a 9-5 mark. His 1973 Falcons handed the Fran Tarkenton-led, 9-0 Minnesota Vikings its first defeat, on ''[[Monday Night Football]]''. However, after winning just two of his first eight games in [[1974 Atlanta Falcons season|1974]], he was fired. One thing Van Brocklin was known for was his disdain for soccer-style kickers (now the standard in the NFL). In one game, a soccer-style kicker beat Van Brocklin's team and after the game, a reporter asked about how felt about losing the game on a last-second field goal, and he replied "They ought to change the god-damned immigration laws in this country".<ref name=vbfred>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ONseAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t0YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6851%2C845318 |newspaper=Daily News |location=Bowling Green, Kentucky |agency=Associated Press |last=Shearer |first=Ed |title=Van Brocklin fired by Atlanta |date=November 6, 1974 |page=21}}</ref>
   
  +
==Head coaching record==
On October 1, 1968, he took over as head coach of the [[Atlanta Falcons]], replacing [[Norb Hecker]], who had started the season with three defeats, extending the team losing streak to ten games. Over the next seven seasons, Van Brocklin had mixed results, putting together a 37-49-3 mark. He led the team to its first winning season in 1971 with a 7-6-1 record, then challenged for a playoff spot two years later with a 9-5 mark. However, after winning just two of his first eight games in 1974, he was fired.
 
  +
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
  +
|-
  +
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular Season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
  +
|-
  +
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
  +
|-
  +
![[1961 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]||[[1961 NFL season|1961]]
  +
||3||11||0||{{winpct|3|11|0}}||7th in NFL Western|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1962 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]||[[1962 NFL season|1962]]
  +
||2||11||1||{{winpct|2|11|1}}||6th in NFL Western|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1963 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]||[[1963 NFL season|1963]]
  +
||5||8||1||{{winpct|5|8|1}}||4th in NFL Western|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1964 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]||[[1964 NFL season|1964]]
  +
||8||5||1||{{winpct|8|5|1}}||2nd in NFL Western|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1965 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]||[[1965 NFL season|1965]]
  +
||7||7||0||{{winpct|7|7|0}}||5th in NFL Western|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1966 Minnesota Vikings season|MIN]]||[[1966 NFL season|1966]]
  +
||4||9||1||{{winpct|4|9|1}}||6th in NFL Western|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
! colspan="2"|MIN Total||29||51||4||{{winpct|29|51|4}}|||| – || – || – ||
  +
|-
  +
![[1968 Atlanta Falcons season|ATL]]||[[1968 NFL season|1968]]
  +
||2||9||0||{{winpct|2|9|0}}||4th in NFL Coastal|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1969 Atlanta Falcons season|ATL]]||[[1969 NFL season|1969]]
  +
||6||8||0||{{winpct|6|8|0}}||3rd in NFL Coastal|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1970 Atlanta Falcons season|ATL]]||[[1970 NFL season|1970]]
  +
||4||8||2||{{winpct|4|8|2}}||3rd in NFC West|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1971 Atlanta Falcons season|ATL]]||[[1971 NFL season|1971]]
  +
||7||6||1||{{winpct|7|6|1}}||3rd in NFC West|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1972 Atlanta Falcons season|ATL]]||[[1972 NFL season|1972]]
  +
||7||7||0||{{winpct|7|7|0}}||2nd in NFC West|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1973 Atlanta Falcons season|ATL]]||[[1973 NFL season|1973]]
  +
||9||5||0||{{winpct|9|5|0}}||2nd in NFC West|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
![[1974 Atlanta Falcons season|ATL]]||[[1974 NFL season|1974]]
  +
||2||6||0||{{winpct|2|6|0}}||4th in NFC West|| – || – || – || –
  +
|-
  +
! colspan="2"|ATL Total||37||49||3||{{winpct|37|49|3}}|||| – || – || – ||
  +
|-
  +
! colspan="2"|Total<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/VanBNo0.htm|title=Norm Van Brocklin Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks - Pro-Football-Reference.com|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref>||66||100||7||{{winpct|66|100|7}}|||| – || – || – ||
  +
|-
  +
|}
   
 
==Final years==
 
==Final years==
  +
Following his dismissal, Van Brocklin returned to his [[pecan]] farm in [[Social Circle, Georgia]], east of [[Atlanta]]. His only connections to football during this era were as a running backs coach for [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]] under head coach [[Pepper Rodgers]] in 1979,<ref name=vbioffhr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oYYHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zzIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4702%2C168432 |newspaper=Robe News-Tribune |location=Georgia |agency=Associated Press |title=Van Brocklin is officially hired |date=March 2, 1979 |page=7A}}</ref> who was fired that December.<ref name=vbsbg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2pxjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5OEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6616%2C4478287 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |title=Van Brocklin says goodbye to college life |date=January 17, 1980 |page=4B}}</ref> It was his only stint as an assistant coach. Rodgers's successor [[Bill Curry]] brought in a new staff in 1980 and Van Brocklin then was a college football analyst on "Superstation" [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|WTBS]] in Atlanta.<ref name=shjobitap /><ref name=uogvbdi>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=G8cUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MOIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4782%2C423093 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=wire services |title=Former UO great Van Brocklin dies |date=May 2, 1983 |page=1B}}</ref>
Following his dismissal, Van Brocklin returned to his pecan farm in [[Social Circle, Georgia]]. His only connections to football during this era were as a running backs coach for [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] in 1979, and as a college football broadcaster.
 
   
Van Brocklin suffered a number of illnesses, including a brain tumor. After it was removed, he told the press, "It was a brain transplant. They gave me a sportswriter's brain, to make sure I got one that hadn't been used." He died on May 2, 1983, the day after suffering a [[stroke]].
+
Van Brocklin, a heavy cigarette smoker, suffered a number of illnesses, including a [[brain tumor]]. After it was removed, he told the press, "It was a brain transplant. They gave me a sportswriter's brain, to make sure I got one that hadn't been used."<ref name=bestwt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gYsqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fF0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6895%2C4195617 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Press |agency=UPI |title=Best and worst of 1981 sports quotes |date=December 27, 1981 |page=D9}}</ref> He died of a heart attack in 1983 at age 57,<!--the day after suffering a [[stroke]],--><ref name=shjobitap /><ref name=uogvbdi /> five weeks after former teammate Bob Waterfield.<ref name=twnoldmn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gmcaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9CkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6679%2C4231326 |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal |last=Johnson |first=Chuck |title=there's was no one like the Dutchman |date=May 5, 1983 |page=3, part 3}}</ref><ref name=frswtfdi>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=os1OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hxMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4807%2C7300995 |newspaper=Wilmington Morning Star |location=North Carolina |agency=Associated Press |title=Former Rams star Waterfield dies |date=March 26, 1983 |page=4D}}</ref>
   
Van Brocklin was posthumously elected to the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=23959128|title= Norm "The Dutchman" Van Brocklin
+
Van Brocklin was posthumously elected to the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23959128 |title=Norm "The Dutchman" Van Brocklin |publisher=Find A Grave |accessdate=September 6, 2012}}</ref>
  +
|publisher= Find A Grave|accessdate= September 6, 2012}}</ref>
 
  +
==NFL career statistics==
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
! colspan="2"|<center>Legend</center>
  +
|-
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
  +
|Led the league
  +
|-
  +
| style="background:#FFE6BD; width:3em;"|
  +
| NFL champion
  +
|-
  +
| style="background:#FFFF00; width:3em;"|
  +
| AP [[NFL MVP]]
  +
|-
  +
| '''Bold'''
  +
|Career high
  +
|}
  +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
  +
! colspan=4|
  +
! colspan=9|Passing
  +
! colspan=4|Punting
  +
|-
  +
! Year
  +
! Team
  +
! G
  +
! W-L-T
  +
! Cmp
  +
! Att
  +
! Cmp%
  +
! Yds
  +
! TD
  +
! Int
  +
! Lng
  +
! Y/A
  +
! Rate
  +
! Punts
  +
! Yds
  +
! Lng
  +
! Avg
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1949}}
  +
| [[1949 Los Angeles Rams season|LA]]
  +
| 8
  +
|
  +
| 32
  +
| 58
  +
| 55.2
  +
| 601
  +
| 6
  +
| 2
  +
| 51
  +
| 10.4
  +
| 111.4
  +
| 2
  +
| 91
  +
| 46
  +
| 45.5
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1950}}
  +
| [[1950 Los Angeles Rams season|LA]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 5-1-0
  +
| 127
  +
| 233
  +
| 54.5
  +
| 2,061
  +
| 18
  +
| 14
  +
| 58
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|8.8
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''85.1'''
  +
| 11
  +
| 466
  +
| 51
  +
| 42.4
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1951}}
  +
| style="background:#FFE6BD; width:3em;"|[[1951 Los Angeles Rams season|LA]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 1-1-0
  +
| 100
  +
| 194
  +
| 51.5
  +
| 1,725
  +
| 13
  +
| 11
  +
| 81
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|8.9
  +
| 80.8
  +
| 48
  +
| 1,992
  +
| 62
  +
| 41.5
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1952}}
  +
| [[1952 Los Angeles Rams season|LA]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 6-0-0
  +
| 113
  +
| 205
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''55.1'''
  +
| 1,736
  +
| 14
  +
| 17
  +
| 84
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|8.5
  +
| 71.5
  +
| 29
  +
| 1,250
  +
| 66
  +
| 43.1
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1953}}
  +
| [[1953 Los Angeles Rams season|LA]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 8-3-1
  +
| 156
  +
| 286
  +
| 54.5
  +
| 2,393
  +
| 19
  +
| 14
  +
| 70
  +
| 8.4
  +
| 84.1
  +
| 60
  +
| 2,529
  +
| 57
  +
| 42.2
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1954}}
  +
| [[1954 Los Angeles Rams season|LA]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 6-4-1
  +
| 139
  +
| 260
  +
| 53.5
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''2,637'''
  +
| 13
  +
| '''21'''
  +
| 80
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''10.1'''
  +
| 71.9
  +
| 44
  +
| 1,874
  +
| 61
  +
| 42.6
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1955}}
  +
| [[1955 Los Angeles Rams season|LA]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 8-3-1
  +
| 144
  +
| 272
  +
| 52.9
  +
| 1,890
  +
| 8
  +
| 15
  +
| 74
  +
| 6.9
  +
| 62.0
  +
| '''60'''
  +
| '''2,676'''
  +
| 61
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''44.6'''
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1956}}
  +
| [[1956 Los Angeles Rams season|LA]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 2-2-0
  +
| 68
  +
| 124
  +
| 54.8
  +
| 966
  +
| 7
  +
| 12
  +
| 58
  +
| 7.8
  +
| 59.5
  +
| 48
  +
| 2,070
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''72'''
  +
| 43.1
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1957}}
  +
| [[1957 Los Angeles Rams season|LA]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 6-6-0
  +
| 132
  +
| 265
  +
| 49.8
  +
| 2,105
  +
| 20
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''21'''
  +
| 70
  +
| 7.9
  +
| 68.8
  +
| 54
  +
| 2,392
  +
| 71
  +
| 44.3
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1958}}
  +
| [[1958 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 2-9-1
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''198'''
  +
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''374'''
  +
| 52.9
  +
| 2,409
  +
| 15
  +
| 20
  +
| 91
  +
| 6.4
  +
| 64.1
  +
| 54
  +
| 2,225
  +
| 58
  +
| 41.2
  +
|-
  +
| {{NFL year|1959}}
  +
| [[1959 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 7-5-0
  +
| 191
  +
| 340
  +
| 56.2
  +
| 2,617
  +
| 16
  +
| 14
  +
| 71
  +
| 7.7
  +
| 79.5
  +
| 53
  +
| 2,263
  +
| 59
  +
| 42.7
  +
|-
  +
| style="background:#FFFF00; width:3em;"|{{NFL year|1960}}
  +
| style="background:#FFE6BD; width:3em;"|[[1960 Philadelphia Eagles season|PHI]]
  +
| 12
  +
| 10-2-0
  +
| 153
  +
| 284
  +
| 53.9
  +
| 2,471
  +
| '''24'''
  +
| 17
  +
| 64
  +
| 8.7
  +
| 86.5
  +
| '''60'''
  +
| 2,585
  +
| 70
  +
| 43.1
  +
|-
  +
! colspan=2|Career
  +
! 140
  +
! 61-36-4
  +
! 1,553
  +
! 2,895
  +
! 53.6
  +
! 23,611
  +
! 173
  +
! 178
  +
! 91
  +
! 8.2
  +
! 75.1
  +
! 523
  +
! 22,413
  +
! 72
  +
! 42.9
  +
|}
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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==References==
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
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==External links==
 
==External links==
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{{Commons category}}
 
{{Footballstats |nfl=VAN269376 |cfl= |afl= |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=V/VanBNo00 |rotoworld=}}
 
 
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* {{IMDb name|nm0885788}}
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{{Oregon Ducks quarterback navbox}}
 
{{Oregon Ducks quarterback navbox}}
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| title = Norm Van Brocklin—championships, awards, and honors
 
| title = Norm Van Brocklin—championships, awards, and honors
 
| list1 =
 
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{{Los Angeles Rams 1949 draft navbox}}
 
{{1951 Los Angeles Rams}}
 
{{1951 Los Angeles Rams}}
 
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}}
   
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{{authority control}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
 
| NAME = Van Brocklin, Norm
 
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Van Brocklin, Norman Mack
 
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American football player, coach, executive
 
| DATE OF BIRTH = March 15, 1926
 
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Parade, South Dakota
 
| DATE OF DEATH = May 2, 1983
 
| PLACE OF DEATH = Social Circle, Georgia
 
}}
 
   
 
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[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
 
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
 
[[Category:American football punters]]
 
[[Category:American football punters]]
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[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]]
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[[Category:American people of Dutch descent]]
 
[[Category:Atlanta Falcons coaches]]
 
[[Category:Atlanta Falcons coaches]]
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[[Category:Atlanta Falcons head coaches]]
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[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
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[[Category:Eastern Conference Pro Bowl players]]
 
[[Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football coaches]]
 
[[Category:Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football coaches]]
 
[[Category:Los Angeles Rams players]]
 
[[Category:Los Angeles Rams players]]
 
[[Category:Minnesota Vikings coaches]]
 
[[Category:Minnesota Vikings coaches]]
[[Category:Oregon Ducks football players]]
 
[[Category:Philadelphia Eagles players]]
 
 
[[Category:National Football League announcers]]
 
[[Category:National Football League announcers]]
 
[[Category:National Football League general managers]]
 
[[Category:National Football League general managers]]
[[Category:Eastern Conference Pro Bowl players]]
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[[Category:New Orleans Saints broadcasters]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
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[[Category:Oregon Ducks football players]]
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[[Category:People from Dewey County, South Dakota]]
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[[Category:Philadelphia Eagles players]]
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[[Category:Players of American football from South Dakota]]
 
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
 
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]]
 
 
[[Category:Western Conference Pro Bowl players]]
 
[[Category:Western Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:People from Dewey County, South Dakota]]
 
[[Category:Players of American football from South Dakota]]
 
[[Category:American people of Dutch descent]]
 

Latest revision as of 22:27, 4 September 2019

Norm Van Brocklin
File:Norm Van Brocklin 1974.JPG
Van Brocklin in 1974
No. 11, 25     
Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1926-03-15)March 15, 1926
Place of birth: Parade, South Dakota[1]
Date of death: May 2, 1983(1983-05-02) (aged 57)
Place of death: Social Circle, Georgia
Career information
College: Oregon
NFL Draft: 1949 / Round: 4 / Pick: 37
No regular season or postseason appearances
Career history
 As player:
* Los Angeles Rams ( 1949 1957)
 As coach:
* Minnesota Vikings ( 1961 1966)
Career highlights and awards
* 2× NFL champion (1951, 1960)
Pass attempts     2,895
Pass completions     1,553
Percentage     53.6
TDINT     173–178
Passing yards     23,611
Passer rating     75.1
Stats at NFL.com
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Norman Mack Van Brocklin (March 15, 1926 – May 2, 1983), nicknamed "The Dutchman" was an American football quarterback, punter, and coach in the National Football League. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.[2]

Early life

Born in Parade, South Dakota,[1] Van Brocklin was one of nine children of Mack and Ethel Van Brocklin. His father was a watchmaker.[3] The family moved to Northern California and settled in Walnut Creek, east of Oakland.[4][5][6] Van Brocklin was a three-sport standout at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, where he quarterbacked the football team to a 5-3 record as a sophomore and a 4-2-2 record as a junior.[7][8] He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 through 1945, foregoing his senior year of high school.[9]

College career

Following World War II, Van Brocklin followed two former high school teammates north and enrolled at the University of Oregon in Eugene.[9] He became the starting quarterback in 1947 under first-year head coach Jim Aiken,[10][11] and led the Ducks to a 16-5 record in his two seasons as a starter. In 1948, Oregon tied with California for the title of the Pacific Coast Conference, forerunner of the Pac-12. California was undefeated overall, and Oregon's only loss was at undefeated Michigan,[12][13] that year's national champions, and the Ducks had seven victories in the PCC to Cal's six.[14] Oregon did not go to the Rose Bowl, however, because Cal was voted by the other schools to represent the PCC in the game. Oregon needed only a 5-5 tie vote, as Cal had been to the game more recently, and with six Northwest schools and four in California, appeared favored to advance. Oregon had opted for a playoff game, but California declined.[15] Among the Cal voters was the University of Washington, which elevated the intensity of the Oregon-Washington rivalry. Breaking with tradition, the PCC allowed Oregon to accept an invitation to play SMU in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. It was the first time that a Pacific Coast team played in a major bowl game other than the Rose Bowl (a policy which was continued by the Pac-8 through 1974). Both Oregon and California lost their New Year's Day bowl games.[16][17] That season, Van Brocklin was honored with an All-America selection[18] and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting.[19] Coincidentally, the Heisman Trophy winner that year was SMU running back Doak Walker. Both Walker and Van Brocklin got Outstanding Player recognition for their performance in the Cotton Bowl Classic.[20]

Van Brocklin left Oregon for the NFL with one remaining year of college eligibility. At that time, a player was not allowed to join the NFL until four years after graduating from high school. Though he had only been at the University of Oregon for three years, he was eligible due to his time in the Navy during World War II. At age 23, he completed his bachelor's degree in June 1949.[21][22]

Professional playing career

File:Van Brocklin 1951 Bowman.jpg

Van Brocklin depicted in 1951

Los Angeles Rams

Van Brocklin was selected 37th overall in the 1949 NFL Draft, taken in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Rams.[23] Teams were not sure if he planned to play the 1949 season in college or not, so he fell in the draft,[21] conducted in December 1948. Van Brocklin signed with the Rams in July and joined a team that already had a star quarterback, Bob Waterfield. Beginning in 1950, new Rams coach Joe Stydahar solved his problem by platooning Waterfield and Van Brocklin. The 1950 Rams scored a then-record 466 points (38.8 per game – which is still a record) with a high octane passing attack featuring Tom Fears and Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch. Fears led the league and set a new NFL record with 84 receptions. Van Brocklin and Waterfield finished 1-2 in passer rating as well. They were defeated by the Cleveland Browns in the 1950 title game, 30-28.[24]

In 1951, Van Brocklin and Waterfield again split quarterbacking duties and the Rams again won the West. That year, Hirsch set an NFL record with 1,495 receiving yards and tied Don Hutson's record of 17 touchdown receptions. This time, the Rams won the title rematch against Cleveland, 24-17.[25] Waterfield (9-24, 125 yards) took most of the snaps at the L.A. Coliseum, but Van Brocklin (4-6, 128 yards) threw a game-winning 73-yard touchdown pass to Fears.[25] It was the Rams' only NFL championship while based in southern California; their next came in 1999, several years after the move east to St. Louis.

Earlier in 1951 on opening night, Van Brocklin threw for an NFL record 554 yards on September 28, breaking Johnny Lujack's single-game record of 468 set two years earlier. Waterfield was injured so Van Brocklin played the entire game and completed 27 of 41 attempts with five touchdowns. Despite the increase in passing attacks by NFL teams in recent years, the yardage record still stands, set Template:Years or months ago.[26][27]

Waterfield retired after the 1952 season and Van Brocklin continued to quarterback the Rams, leading them to the title game again in 1955, hosted at the L.A. Coliseum. In that game, the visiting Browns crushed the Rams 38-14 as Van Brocklin threw six interceptions.[28] In early January 1958, he announced his retirement from pro football after nine seasons and had plans to enter private business in Oregon at Portland.[29][30]

Philadelphia Eagles

Less than five months later in late May, Van Brocklin changed his mind and was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for two players (offensive lineman Buck Lansford and defensive end Jimmy Harris) and a first round draft pick.[31][32] It was disclosed he did not want to play another season for the Rams under head coach Sid Gillman's offense, but it was not a personality issue with Gillman.[31] Under famed head coach Buck Shaw, Van Brocklin was given total control of the offense in Philadelphia in 1958, and he steadily improved the Eagles' attack. In his third and final season with Philly in 1960, the team had the best regular season record in league at 10-2, and hosted the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship Game at Franklin Field. Throwing to his favorite receiver, 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 176 lb (80 kg) Tommy McDonald, Van Brocklin led the Eagles to victory. In a game dominated by defense, he led a fourth quarter comeback, resulting in a final score of 17-13.[33]

During his twelve-year career, Van Brocklin played on two NFL championship teams: the 1951 Los Angeles Rams and the 1960 Philadelphia Eagles. Following the latter triumph, he retired. As it turned out, the Eagles were the only team to defeat the Packers in a playoff game during Vince Lombardi's tenure as Green Bay's head coach.[34] Van Brocklin led the NFL in passing three times and in punting twice. On nine occasions, he was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Coaching career

Minnesota Vikings

Van Brocklin cut his ties with the Eagles after his belief that the team had reneged on an agreement to name him head coach to replace the retiring Buck Shaw. On January 18, 1961, he accepted the head coaching position for the expansion Minnesota Vikings,[35][36] less than a month after winning the NFL Championship game. During his six years with Minnesota, Van Brocklin compiled a record of 29-51-4 (.369). The tenure was highlighted by his contentious relationship with quarterback Fran Tarkenton.[37] Van Brocklin was displeased with Tarkenton's penchant for scrambling, preferring that he stay in the pocket. The feud culminated with Tarkenton's demand for a trade[37] and Van Brocklin's surprise resignation on February 11, 1967.[38] Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants shortly after Van Brocklin's departure,[39] but was reacquired by Van Brocklin's successor, Bud Grant, five years later in 1972.

During his first year off the field in over two decades, Van Brocklin served as a commentator on NFL broadcasts in 1967 for CBS.[40]

Atlanta Falcons

In 1968, he took over as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons on October 1, replacing Norb Hecker, who had started the season with three defeats, extending the team losing streak to ten games.[41] Over the next seven seasons, Van Brocklin had mixed results, putting together a 37-49-3 mark. He led the team to its first winning season in 1971 with a 7-6-1 record, then challenged for a playoff spot in 1973 with a 9-5 mark. His 1973 Falcons handed the Fran Tarkenton-led, 9-0 Minnesota Vikings its first defeat, on Monday Night Football. However, after winning just two of his first eight games in 1974, he was fired. One thing Van Brocklin was known for was his disdain for soccer-style kickers (now the standard in the NFL). In one game, a soccer-style kicker beat Van Brocklin's team and after the game, a reporter asked about how felt about losing the game on a last-second field goal, and he replied "They ought to change the god-damned immigration laws in this country".[42]

Head coaching record

Team Year Regular Season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
MIN 1961 3 11 0 .214 7th in NFL Western
MIN 1962 2 11 1 .179 6th in NFL Western
MIN 1963 5 8 1 .393 4th in NFL Western
MIN 1964 8 5 1 .607 2nd in NFL Western
MIN 1965 7 7 0 .500 5th in NFL Western
MIN 1966 4 9 1 .321 6th in NFL Western
MIN Total 29 51 4 .369
ATL 1968 2 9 0 .182 4th in NFL Coastal
ATL 1969 6 8 0 .429 3rd in NFL Coastal
ATL 1970 4 8 2 .357 3rd in NFC West
ATL 1971 7 6 1 .536 3rd in NFC West
ATL 1972 7 7 0 .500 2nd in NFC West
ATL 1973 9 5 0 .643 2nd in NFC West
ATL 1974 2 6 0 .250 4th in NFC West
ATL Total 37 49 3 .433
Total[43] 66 100 7 .402

Final years

Following his dismissal, Van Brocklin returned to his pecan farm in Social Circle, Georgia, east of Atlanta. His only connections to football during this era were as a running backs coach for Georgia Tech under head coach Pepper Rodgers in 1979,[44] who was fired that December.[45] It was his only stint as an assistant coach. Rodgers's successor Bill Curry brought in a new staff in 1980 and Van Brocklin then was a college football analyst on "Superstation" WTBS in Atlanta.[3][46]

Van Brocklin, a heavy cigarette smoker, suffered a number of illnesses, including a brain tumor. After it was removed, he told the press, "It was a brain transplant. They gave me a sportswriter's brain, to make sure I got one that hadn't been used."[47] He died of a heart attack in 1983 at age 57,[3][46] five weeks after former teammate Bob Waterfield.[48][49]

Van Brocklin was posthumously elected to the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.[50]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
NFL champion
AP NFL MVP
Bold Career high
Passing Punting
Year Team G W-L-T Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD Int Lng Y/A Rate Punts Yds Lng Avg
1949 LA 8 32 58 55.2 601 6 2 51 10.4 111.4 2 91 46 45.5
1950 LA 12 5-1-0 127 233 54.5 2,061 18 14 58 8.8 85.1 11 466 51 42.4
1951 LA 12 1-1-0 100 194 51.5 1,725 13 11 81 8.9 80.8 48 1,992 62 41.5
1952 LA 12 6-0-0 113 205 55.1 1,736 14 17 84 8.5 71.5 29 1,250 66 43.1
1953 LA 12 8-3-1 156 286 54.5 2,393 19 14 70 8.4 84.1 60 2,529 57 42.2
1954 LA 12 6-4-1 139 260 53.5 2,637 13 21 80 10.1 71.9 44 1,874 61 42.6
1955 LA 12 8-3-1 144 272 52.9 1,890 8 15 74 6.9 62.0 60 2,676 61 44.6
1956 LA 12 2-2-0 68 124 54.8 966 7 12 58 7.8 59.5 48 2,070 72 43.1
1957 LA 12 6-6-0 132 265 49.8 2,105 20 21 70 7.9 68.8 54 2,392 71 44.3
1958 PHI 12 2-9-1 198 374 52.9 2,409 15 20 91 6.4 64.1 54 2,225 58 41.2
1959 PHI 12 7-5-0 191 340 56.2 2,617 16 14 71 7.7 79.5 53 2,263 59 42.7
1960 PHI 12 10-2-0 153 284 53.9 2,471 24 17 64 8.7 86.5 60 2,585 70 43.1
Career 140 61-36-4 1,553 2,895 53.6 23,611 173 178 91 8.2 75.1 523 22,413 72 42.9

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Grasso, John (June 13, 2013). Historical Dictionary of Football. Scarecrow Press. p. 413. ISBN 978-0-8108-7857-0. https://books.google.com/books?id=YTUPQ2Zm-dQC&pg=PA413.
  2. "History Release". The Official Site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.aspx?RELEASE_ID=822. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Van Brocklin dies of heart attack at age 57". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press (South Carolina): p. 2B. May 3, 1983. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bkMsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=384EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6558%2C1125696.
  4. "Norm van Brocklin calls it quits". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. February 7, 1967. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CtseAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zGUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4886,2758333. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  5. Atwater, Edward C (September 24, 1962). "Van Brocklin rare coach". Baltimore Sun. https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1709745162.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+24%2C+1962&author=&pub=The+Sun+%281837-1985%29&desc=VAN+BROCKLIN+RARE+COACH&pqatl=google. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  6. Hall, John (November 3, 1972). "Van Brocklin: The Dutchman Nobody Knows". Los Angeles Times. https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/660625982.html?dids=660625982:660625982&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+03%2C+1972&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Van+Brocklin%3A+The+Dutchman+Nobody+Knows&pqatl=google. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  7. "Acalanes '42". Acalanes High School Yearbook. 1942.
  8. "Acalanes '43". Acalanes High School Yearbook. 1943.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Clark, Bob (September 5, 1995). "After 46 years, Van Brocklin's legacy lives on". Eugene Register-Guard: p. 1D. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sEZWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E-sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3832%2C1340520.
  10. "Oregon stars a Trilby for Svengali Jim Aiken". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press: p. 2, final. November 15, 1948. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bUMaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AyUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4568%2C3672387.
  11. Clark, Bob (September 3, 1998). "Top Ducks". Eugene Register-Guard: p. 3D. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sU9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t-sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5839%2C489265.
  12. "Oregon suffers 14-0 loss, but shows real class". Eugene Register-Guard: p. 1. October 3, 1948. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5RdZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XOkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4736%2C6469256.
  13. Bellamy, Ron (September 19, 2003). "Ducks have been shut out of success against the Wolverines". Euegene Register-Guard: p. B1. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xExWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8esDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2879%2C4049256.
  14. "Final Coast Conference standings". Eugene Register-Guard: p. 1. November 21, 1948. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4-tXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4350%2C5692521.
  15. "California Bears get Rose Bowl Bid". Eugene Register-Guard. United Press: p. 1. November 22, 1948. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5OtXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6013%2C5895061.
  16. Strite, Dick (January 2, 1949). "Oregon, Cal both drop bowl games". Eugene Register-Guard: p. 1. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=erFhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6372%2C3839592.
  17. "Year-by-Year Bowl Facts", Official 2007 NCAA Division I Football Records Book, National Collegiate Athletic Association, p. 366, 2007.
  18. "Norm "The Dutchman" Van Brocklin". College Football Hall of Fame. Football Foundation. https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1695. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  19. "Winners". Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100404063128/http://www.heisman.com/winners/d-walker48.php. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  20. 1949 Classic Recap[dead link] (pdf format)
  21. 21.0 21.1 "Van Brocklin inks contract with pro Rams". Eugene Register-Guard. United Press: p. 11. July 12, 1949. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xzISAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yvADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6491%2C994459.
  22. "Norm Van Brocklin signs with Rams". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press: p. 14. July 12, 1949. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CNRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2_EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4439%2C4678489.
  23. "Norm Van Brocklin". Pro-Football-Reference.com. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/VanBNo00.htm. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  24. "Browns win pro title; Groza's kick thriller". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press: p. 25. December 25, 1950. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PORXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OfYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3288%2C3376839.
  25. 25.0 25.1 "Van Brocklin pitches L.A. Rams to victory". Spokane Daily Chronicle: p. 10. December 24, 1951. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d-VXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q_YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2185%2C3208542.
  26. "History: Norm Van Brocklin's record-setting 554 yards". Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/history/decades/1950s/norm_van_brocklin.aspx. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  27. Myers, Bob (September 29, 1951). "Rams smack Yanks in opener 54-14". Free Lance-Star. Associated Press: p. 5. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m91LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tYoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3733%2C3015498.
  28. "Browns blast Rams in record tilt". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press: p. 15. December 27, 1955. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qT9YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0PYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5207%2C6568121.
  29. "Van Brocklin retires as Rams' quarterback". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press: p. 16. January 3, 1958. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nSANAAAAIBAJ&sjid=52oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3516%2C610268.
  30. "High pressure of running club one reason Van quit LA Rams". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press: p. 9. January 3, 1958. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S_lVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qOIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4669%2C290798.
  31. 31.0 31.1 "Eagles get Van Brocklin". Milwaukee Sentinel. press dispatches: p. 3, part 2. May 27, 1958. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p3xRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SxAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5891%2C3760659.
  32. "Van Brocklin traded to Eagles by Rams". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press: p. 2B. May 26, 1958. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dXQzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ruIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5583%2C4739431.
  33. Lea, Bud (December 27, 1960). "Eagles win NFL title". Milwaukee Sentinel: p. 1, part 1. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PBEwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2xAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2948%2C3129427.
  34. Longman, Jere. "Eagles’ 1960 Victory Was an N.F.L. Turning Point", The New York Times, January 6, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2011.
  35. "Van Brocklin signs as Vikings' coach". Times-News (Hendersonville, North Carolina): p. 10. January 19, 1961. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9PMZAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UCMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3750%2C803150.
  36. "Van Brocklin hired to coach Vikings". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press: p. 1D. January 18, 1961. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4f9VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0-IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6703%2C2921944.
  37. 37.0 37.1 "Tarkenton will return 'under no circumstances'". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press: p. 3B. February 11, 1967. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8KlVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2181%2C1963318.
  38. "Van Brocklin surprises Viks – resigns". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press: p. 3B. February 12, 1967. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8alVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2160%2C2085114.
  39. "Giants trade draft picks for Tarkenton". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press (Florida): p. 18. March 8, 1967. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wJocAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ymUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7232%2C1897567.
  40. "Norm Van Brocklin – Football". Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120315134710/http://oregonsportshall.org/norm_van_brocklin.html. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  41. Speer, Ron (October 2, 1968). "Van to have 5-year pact". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press: p. 1D. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=U9hVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H-EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5185%2C311260.
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External links

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