Norm Van Brocklin is a former NFL quarterback who played for the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, and Minnesota Vikings. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 and his record as a passer still stands today.
Brief Career
Van Brocklin played college football at Oregon State University and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1951 NFL Draft. He played for the Rams from 1951 to 1960 and was named the NFL MVP in 1957. He then played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1961 to 1967 and was named the NFL MVP again in 1960. He finished his career with the Minnesota Vikings from 1968 to 1970.
Van Brocklin was a prolific passer and is still the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards. He retired with 9,920 passing yards and was named to the Pro Bowl six times. He was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Longest Throw in NFL
The longest throw in NFL history was made by Norm Van Brocklin on September 28, 1951. The quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tom Fears. This record still stands today.
There have been some pretty impressive long throws in NFL history since then, but none have come close to topping Van Brocklin’s record. The second-longest throw in NFL history was made by Jon Kitna, who threw a 95-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh on November 25, 2007.
What Was the Quarterback’s Reasoning for Throwing Such a Long Pass
Norm Van Brocklin was known for his strong arm and he often liked to take advantage of this by throwing long passes. He once said, “I can throw a football farther than any man alive.”
He also believed that it was important to keep the defense guessing and to take advantage of any opportunities that presented themselves. By throwing a long pass instead of running with the ball himself or handing it off to a teammate, he was able to catch the defense off guard and potentially score a touchdown.
Did Anyone Think That This Play Would Be Successful
When Norm Van Brocklin threw the 99-yard touchdown pass to Tom Fears, not many people thought that it would be successful. The Rams were losing the game 17-14 at the time and were on their own 10-yard line. Van Brocklin decided to take a chance and throw a long pass instead of punting the ball. The pass was successful and the Rams ended up winning the game.
Other Longest Passes in NFL History and How They Compare to This One
There have been a few other long passes in NFL history that come close to topping Norm Van Brocklin’s record. Here is a list of the longest NFL throws, with the corresponding distance in yards:
- Jon Kitna 95 yards (2007)
- Daunte Culpepper 90 yards (2004)
- Joe Montana 89 yards (1990)
- Matthew Stafford 88 yards (2013)
- Warren Moon 87 yards (1984)
- Drew Brees 86 yards (2004)
- Tom Brady 81 yards (2007)
- Tony Romo 80 yards (2008)
Norm Van Brocklin’s 99-yard touchdown pass to Tom Fears still stands as the longest throw in NFL history. It is a record that is unlikely to be broken anytime soon.
What Do You Think is Necessary for a Quarterback to Successfully Complete a Long Pass Like This
There are a few things that a quarterback needs to do in order to successfully complete a long pass like this. First, they need to have a strong arm and be able to throw the ball a long distance. They also need to be able to accurately throw the ball to their receiver. Finally, they need to have good timing and be able to anticipate the receiver’s movements. If the quarterback can do all of these things, they will be more likely to successfully complete a long pass like this.
What Was the Reaction of the Other Players on the Field and in the Stands
When Norm Van Brocklin threw the 99-yard touchdown pass to Tom Fears, the other players on the field and in the stands were amazed. This was an incredible feat and it was something that had never been done before. Van Brocklin was considered to be a long-shot to make the play work, but he pulled it off and everyone was in awe.
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