Top 30 NFL players of the 1900s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1900s

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers passes during pregame warm up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 13, 1987 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the 49ers 30-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

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San Diego Chargers wide receiver Lance Alworth (19) makes a catch during a game against the Boston Patriots on December 7, 1969. This was the 95th consecutive game with a catch for Alworth, tying Don Hutson’s record. (Photo by Charles Aqua Viva/Getty Images) /

29. Lance Alworth

If you are looking for receivers who dominated the 1960s, the conversation begins and ends with Lance Alworth. The Arkansas product was drafted by both the NFL and AFL in 1962, opting to join the AFL’s San Diego Chargers instead of the San Francisco 49ers.

It didn’t take long for the now legendary receiver to leave his imprint on the Chargers history books. In just his second season, Alworth set single-season franchise records for receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He went on to put together a career of accolades that no Chargers receiver has yet to mirror.

Alworth was a seven-time AFL All-Star and a six-time All-AFL first-team selection. He led the AFL in receptions, yards, and touchdowns three times a piece while winning an AFL Championship in 1963 with San Diego. He was also part of the Dallas Cowboys team that won Super Bowl VI in the 1971 season.

Alworth retired with 585 receptions and just under 10,300 yards, and he is still 15th all-time in receiving touchdowns with 85. The man they called “Bambi” was the best wide receiver of his generation, and his No. 19 jersey is retired by the Chargers. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.

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