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Number Crunching: #1 – #2
by Chris Brophy
31/3/2009
After starting the journey down the road of numbers last time out with numbers which can no longer be used we head on into the first real numbers of this project.
Numbers ranging from 1 19 are usually reserved for players who play quarterback or kicker but NFL history will throw up a few knuckleballs to keep things interesting and the recent spread of those numbers to wide receivers also gives these early numbers some more depth to their respective battlers.
So, without further ado, let’s examine numbers one and two and find out why the CFL and overcoming prejudice was a major part of both our chosen players careers:
 FD’s All Time #1: Warren Moon, Quarterback (Houston Oilers , Minnesota Vikings , Seattle Seahawks , Kansas City Chiefs)
Number one is a very apt number for Warren Moon because his career achievements feature a list of him being the first to make certain marks in pro football history. He is the first Canadian Hall Of Famer, first undrafted quarterback and first African-American quarterback to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame and he did that at the first time of asking in 2006.
When he had finished his professional playing career in 2000 (that had spanned 22 years including his CFL years) he was first in pro football history in yardage (since surpassed by the CFL’s Damon Allen, brother of former Raider and Chief running back Marcus Allen), touchdowns , pass completions and pass attempts (all since surpassed by Brett Favre).
Moon also had to break through the barrier of being accepted as a quarterback despite his skin colour. He had a hard time getting college’s to take him seriously at the position and even though he would have a fine college career and win Rose Bowl MVP he then found the NFL would not draft him.
Moon instead went to Canada and dominated, winning five Grey Cups in his six seasons and setting a single season yardage record (5,648 yards) in his final year as an Edmonton Eskimo. By the time he had decided to come back south and try for the NFL the interest was far greater and eventually he was wooed by the Houston Oilers.
Moon had to overcome the changes in rules and length and width of the playing field but he was successful from the off. The Oilers hadn’t been a play-off team since 1980 but behind Moon’s arm they would make the post season seven straight years from 1987-1993. Moon would leave Houston but find more success in Minnesota with the Vikings before finishing up with stints as a Seahawk and Chief. Moon would be all-pro three times and a nine time pro bowler, he overcame many barriers to be one of the best of all time and is an inspiration for many young black athletes today who have had doors opened for them by the success of Moon and guys like Doug Williams. He is the undoubted #1 on our list.
#1 Honourable Mentions: Gary Anderson, Kicker (Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans) Garo Yepremian, Kicker (Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Jason Elam (Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons)
Two kickers with infamous moments dominate our nearly list. Gary Anderson is the leagues all time leading scorer and owner of a perfect kicking season but his infamous miss in the NFC Championship Game which cost the Vikings a Super Bowl berth might be what he is best remembered for. Garo Yepremian was part of the Dolphins perfect season and had a chance to make the score 17-0 in a 17-0 season but his blocked kick and failed attempt at a pass in Super Bowl VII seen the Redskins Mike Bass return it for a TD. However, it’s worth remembering Yepremian come through from nowhere to make it as a pro kicker and was a member of the all-70’s team. Jason Elam is one of the best kickers in modern football and is high on many of the all time kicking records lists.
 FD’s All Time #2: Darren Bennett, Punter (San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings)
When this project was started I didn’t think any pure punters would make this list apart from honourable mentions. This might say more about the lack of strength at this number but Bennett is still a quality story and one of the best at his position in recent history.
Bennett started his professional sporting career in his native Australia as an Aussie Rules player. He had a very solid career but serious knee injuries caught up with him and he eventually retired in 1993.
Looking for a new challenge Bennett decided to take his kicking skills to the NFL but his lack of experience meant he had to find a way in. After going on honeymoon tom California he asked the Chargers for a tryout and he impressed, winning a spot on the team’s practice squad for the 1994 season. They then sent him over to NFL Europe with the Amsterdam Admirals in 1995 so as to gain some real game experience. He showed there he could play as he won all-league honours. He then returned to the Chargers where he won a roster spot and entered the 1995 season as their punter.
Straight away he showed he belonged in the NFL and was consistently near the top of the leagues punting tables over the next several seasons. He would make the Pro Bowl twice and despite only playing half of the decade he won the punting spot on the All-1990’s Decade Team. Bennett would remain with the Chargers until 2003 before finishing his career with a stint at the Minnesota Vikings.
Bennett also introduced new techniques to punting in the NFL. Many now copy his style when pooch punting where he introduced the drop kick style in order to get the ball out fast, low and accurately before the rush comes.
Darren Bennett is unlikely to ever make the Hall of Fame (he becomes eligible in 2011) but he has an interesting story and is a true two sport star. He’s also one of the few true punters in the NFL that could tackle and for that alone, he’s worthy of his spot on this list.
#2 Honourable Mentions: Mike Horan, Punter (Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, New York Giants, St Louis Rams, Chicago Bears) Doug Flutie, Quarterback (Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers)
Horan enjoyed a 16 year NFL career including a trip to the pro bowl in 1988. Flutie had as much of his success wearing other numbers (22, 20 and #7) but we’ll slot him into the honourable mentions here because frankly, there isn’t much else. Flutie overcame a lack of height to make it as a pro QB and whilst most of his personal success came in the CFL he showed in stints with the Bills and Chargers afterwards he could still cut it with the best. Any player who drop kicks extra points and has a cereal named after him has to get a mention somewhere in this list.
Learn More about past NFL greats in our History Archive
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