Norm Van Brocklin

The Man Who Led Two Franchises to Glory

In the pantheon of NFL quarterbacks, few names evoke the same sense of leadership, toughness, and passing excellence as Norm Van Brocklin. A two-time NFL Champion, nine-time Pro Bowler, and Hall of Fame quarterback, Van Brocklin was the embodiment of the gunslinger mentality, boasting one of the most powerful and precise arms in football history.

Nicknamed “The Dutchman”, Van Brocklin wasn’t just a great quarterback—he was a revolutionary passer, an on-field general, and the ultimate competitor. He remains the only quarterback in NFL history to lead two different franchises to an NFL Championship, first with the Los Angeles Rams in 1951, then with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960, handing Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers their only championship game loss.

Beyond his accolades, Van Brocklin was a pioneer of the vertical passing game, stretching defenses with his deep-ball precision while commanding his teams with a fiery intensity that demanded excellence. His legacy as a player, coach, and innovator of the passing game shaped the future of the quarterback position, influencing countless greats who followed in his footsteps.

This collection honors Norm Van Brocklin, the fearless field general who revolutionized the passing game, shattered records, and led two franchises to championship glory.

The Early Years – From Oregon Farm Boy to College Star

Long before Norm Van Brocklin was dominating NFL defenses, he was just a farm boy from South Dakota, growing up in an era where the sport of football was still evolving.

Born to Be Tough

Born on March 15, 1926, in Parade, South Dakota, Van Brocklin was raised in a hard-working, blue-collar environment.
His family moved to Northern California, where he attended Acalanes High School.
Known for his strong arm and fierce competitiveness, he excelled in football and baseball, but World War II put his athletic career on hold.

Military Service Before College

Like many young men of his generation, Van Brocklin enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 at the height of World War II.
After serving for two years, he returned home determined to continue his football career.

Oregon Ducks – The College Years

Van Brocklin enrolled at the University of Oregon in 1946, where he quickly emerged as a star quarterback.
He played under coach Jim Aiken, leading the Ducks to a 16-5 record over two seasons.
In 1948, he threw for 1,749 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning All-American honors.
His intelligence, leadership, and ability to read defenses before the snap made him one of the most NFL-ready quarterbacks in the country.

By the time the 1949 NFL Draft arrived, teams knew Van Brocklin was special—but his future would take an unexpected twist.

The Los Angeles Rams Years – A Two-Quarterback Dynasty

Van Brocklin was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 1949 NFL Draft, but unlike most young quarterbacks, he didn’t step into a starting role right away.

Sharing the Backfield with Bob Waterfield

When Van Brocklin arrived in Los Angeles, the Rams already had a star quarterback in Bob Waterfield, a future Hall of Famer.
Instead of riding the bench, Van Brocklin split time with Waterfield, forming one of the most unique and successful quarterback tandems in history.
The two quarterbacks had contrasting styles—Waterfield was more of a traditional pocket passer, while Van Brocklin had a stronger arm and a more aggressive playing style.

The 1951 NFL Championship – The Birth of a Superstar

In 1951, Van Brocklin took on a bigger role, leading the NFL in passing yards (1,725) and passer rating (86.3) despite sharing duties with Waterfield.
In the NFL Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns, Van Brocklin threw a game-winning 73-yard touchdown pass to Tom Fears, sealing a 24-17 victory and securing the first championship in Rams history.
With this victory, Van Brocklin established himself as
one of the league’s premier quarterbacks.

The Record-Setting 1950s – Redefining the Passing Game

Following Waterfield’s retirement in 1952, Van Brocklin became the Rams’ full-time starter, and his numbers exploded.

A Passing Revolution

Van Brocklin led the league in passing yards (2,845) in 1952 and continued to improve every season.
He was known for his fearless deep-ball accuracy, often launching passes 50+ yards downfield with pinpoint precision.
His command of the offense and ability to read defenses made him one of the smartest quarterbacks in the game.

The Untouchable Passing Record (1951)

On September 28, 1951, Van Brocklin set an NFL record that still stands today—throwing for 554 yards in a single game against the New York Yanks.
No quarterback has ever surpassed that mark, making it one of the oldest records in NFL history.

By 1957, Van Brocklin was tired of clashing with the Rams' front office, and after nine seasons in Los Angeles, he shocked the football world by demanding a trade.

The Philadelphia Eagles Years – The Ultimate Leader

At 32 years old, many thought Van Brocklin was past his prime—but he was about to prove everyone wrong.

The Trade to Philadelphia (1958)

The Eagles traded for Van Brocklin, hoping he could mentor young quarterbacks while keeping the team competitive.
Instead of simply mentoring, he took full command of the team, turning the Eagles into an immediate contender.

The 1960 Season – A Storybook Ending

In 1960, at age 34, Van Brocklin had the greatest season of his career:
- 2,471 passing yards
- 24 touchdowns
- NFL MVP runner-up
- Led the Eagles to a 10-2 record
In the 1960 NFL Championship Game, Van Brocklin led the Eagles to a 17-13 upset victory over Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers.
This remains the only championship game Lombardi ever lost.
After the game, Van Brocklin retired as a champion, walking away from football on top of the world.

The Coaching Years – The Toughest Coach in the League

After retiring as a player, Van Brocklin immediately transitioned into coaching.

First Coach in Vikings History

In 1961, he became the first head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.
He mentored rookie Fran Tarkenton, teaching him the fundamentals of the passing game.
Though his coaching career was less successful than his playing career, he remained one of the most respected minds in football.

Defining Moments of Van Brocklin’s Career

1949 – Drafted by the Rams: Begins his legendary NFL journey.
1951 – Wins NFL Championship with the Rams: Throws a game-winning TD in the title game.
1951 – Sets Untouchable Passing Record (554 Yards in a Single Game).
1960 – Wins NFL Championship with the Eagles: Becomes the only QB to win titles with two franchises.
1961 – Becomes Vikings’ First Head Coach: Starts a new chapter as a mentor.
1971 – Inducted into the Hall of Fame: Recognized as one of the all-time greats.

A Legacy That Changed the Quarterback Position Forever

Norm Van Brocklin wasn’t just a champion—he was an innovator.

He introduced the vertical passing attack, paving the way for modern deep-ball quarterbacks.
He remains the only QB to win NFL titles with two different teams.
His 554-yard passing record still stands today, proving his historic dominance.

A Champion, A Gunslinger, and One of the Greatest Quarterbacks in NFL History.