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Top 30 duos in NFL history

By Jarrett Bailey

BALTIMORE - 1960's: (L to R) Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 and wide receiver Raymond Berry #82 of the Baltimore Colts on the sidelines during a game circa 1960's at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE - 1960's: (L to R) Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 and wide receiver Raymond Berry #82 of the Baltimore Colts on the sidelines during a game circa 1960's at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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San Diego Chargers head coach Sid Gillman congratulates flanker Lance Alworth (19) and quarterback John Hadl (21) following a 31-14 victory over the Houston Oilers on October 3, 1965, at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Charles Aqua Viva/Getty Images)
San Diego Chargers head coach Sid Gillman congratulates flanker Lance Alworth (19) and quarterback John Hadl (21) following a 31-14 victory over the Houston Oilers on October 3, 1965, at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Charles Aqua Viva/Getty Images) /

12. John Hadl and Lance Alworth

Hadl and Alworth belong on the list if not only for the fact that Hadl wore 21 as a quarterback and Alworth’s 19 jersey is one of the coolest in history.

Incredible on-field style aside, these two made magic together in the 1960s. While the NFl was a more tried and true league, and was more focused on three yards and a cloud of dust, the AFL was the league of passing and more advanced offense. The Chargers of the 1960s epitomized everything the AFL was.

From 1963-68, Alworth was an All-Pro every season. He led the AFL in receiving yards on three occasions, as well as receptions and touchdowns three times a piece. Hadl led the AFL in passing yards twice from 1965-68, also leading the league in touchdown passes with 27 in 1968.

Together, Hadl and Alworth helped the Chargers win an AFL Championship. They were the most dynamic quarterback-receiver duo in the AFL in that era, and helped popularize the passing game and helped it become what it eventually became in the modern day.

Alworth was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. While Hadl is not in the Hall of Fame, Alworth greatly benefited from catching passes from him.

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