Joe Theismann as a Punt Returner? This Happened
Vložit
- čas přidán 19. 11. 2019
- In 1974, with former Argonauts QB Joe Theismann sitting on the bench for the Redskins behind Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer, he saw action in his first season in the NFL... as a punt returner. This is the story about how this future MVP got his start on special teams
NOTE: One part near the middle of the video had to be trimmed due to copyright. The 20 seconds that got cut out were explaining how in 1974, the number one punt returner in the NFL from a yards-per-return standpoint was Lemar Parrish of the Cincinnati Bengals
The views on this video have shot up over the past few days for some reason, so for everyone watching this video, thanks and welcome to the channel! I do NFL history videos like this regularly; every day, I try to get two videos out, with one of them being a highlight video of a historical player, and another being an NFL history video, with some being longer than others. If you like what you see, or have ideas for future videos, be sure to let me know, and like, subscribe, and hit the notification icon. Enjoy!
You keep killing it every video.🏈👍👌Thanks & appreciate all your hard work. I can't get enough of vintage NFL. #7 was a great athlete till #56 got a hold of him.
There is a clip of Theismann actually doing the punting.
Notice Yogi Berra's son Tim on the list of 1974 NFL returners
I love that Theismann just wanted to get in the games. As a former football player who LOVED to play, I respect the hell out of that.
Joe was a supreme athlete. That's why he ran in the CFL and returned punts in the NFL. It's not hard to figure out. Those were different times. Ken Stabler matured as a Continental Football League player.
In those days the team was led by two seasoned vets, Sonny and Billy. Joe replaced a well-respected backup named Sam Wyche. Despite playing for three years as a pro in Canada Joe went to camp in 1974 while his future teammates were on strike. The ever eager and talkative, book-writing Joe Theismann would not win favor with the Over the Hill Gang, for years. In the meantime he returned punts, ran the scout team and sported a single-bar face mask on the sideline.
I wish Vince Lombardi would have live four or more years longer.
So Joe Theismann was Taysom Hill before Taysom Hill.
I thought sammy baugh played QB, FS and returner?
In his rookie year with Toronto in 1971, Joe Theismann scored 8 points; he rushed 84 yards for his only TD, ran for a convert (1 point in those days), and punted 3 times for a 60.7-yard average, including a 69-yard single.
I think he co quarterback Ed with Greg Barton. Coach Leo Cahill used them both at first so he was not full time if I recall.
@@joeharvie8362 You recall correctly; they often alternated series. Theismann took over pretty much full-time late in the 1971 season after Barton broke a finger and missed a couple of games.
You've NEVER seen a faster FIRST step out of the pocket than Joe Theismann. I started 4 years at UNC as quarterback, and just had no urge to play in the NFL. I wanted to be a Marine, and became an officer. I was drafted to the Chiefs but turned it down. I played with Joe in All-Star games, and mind you, I am NOT a Redskins fan. I'm a diehard Steeler fan, but Joe was one of the BEST qb's when he played. His being so talkative hurts him, because people take him as a joke at times. This man was one of the BEST ever at one of the toughest times to be a QB, and he played with that single bar, which you had to be tough as nails to do what he did. God bless you Joe, and I REALLY believe you belong in the HOF!
It’s worth noting that the rules changed in 1974 and made it much, much easier to return punts. Before 1974, the kicking team could all take off downfield at the snap to cover punts. That year the rules changed and only two players on the kicking team were allowed to cross the line of scrimmage before the ball was kicked (these are the “gunners” you hear about today). Returners suddenly had a lot more space to maneuver so it’s not surprising that Theismann did better than the guys in the previous couple of years. Anyone would have, really.
Great knowledge fact
yeah but his stats were better than half the punt returners in the league IN 74 so he was pretty good
Theismann didn’t want to back up Bob Griese forever in Miami, so he went to Canada. The irony is that Griese broke his leg in Game Five of the Perfect Season, and Theismann would’ve been the Dolphins’ starting QB (instead of aging backup Earl Morrall) on perhaps the most loaded team in NFL history. And then he had to come back as a punter/punt returner.
He has no regrets though; he beat Miami in SB XVII
@@nickcurran3105 How Ironic.😅
Great point.......wow.
Now do Joe Theismann as a punter. 1985 vs Chicago Bears. Punting yards ..... One yard.
Theismann did Monday Night Football with Paul Maguire, and Paul was a punter. Joe constantly reminded Paul of his punt. Maguire threw one pass in his career, which was a 19 yard completion, giving Paul a career QB rating of 118.7; much better than Joe's 77.4 rating.
Y entonces??????
Joe Theisman was one heck of an athlete. One of my all time favorite Redskins!
Thanks for this vid! I was a little kid during the Theismann years, so I almost forgot about this. Actually, this vid reminded me of all the times Joe was downfield blocking with the Hogs for Riggins & Co. I was at the infamous game where LT broke his leg; alas, I couldn’t see the play as I was in the 5th row and couldn’t see over the Redskins bench (RFK was awesome but sightlines were horrible lol)
TIL, wow great video champ. I am a Redskins fan until the day that I pass. Never knew Theisman was a baller. #GoodContent champ.
Joe Theisman should be in the hall of fame
He returned a punt in a college all -- star game (Hula Bowl?) when he was a senior in college. And I'm old enough to have seen it.
He had great talent and drive. Sadly today he might be overlooked. He is listed as 5 11 but that is in cleats. Today the NFL wants it all. A 6 foot 5 235 QB who is mobile and has a great arm. Look at Cam Newton as the prototype. He has those physical attributes but he lacks in many areas that Joe was superior in. Drive, guts, toughness and ability to use the talent around you Joe was far better. Personally I would take Joe over Cam any day. Even some of today's talent that resembles him does not compare. Look at Johnny Manziel who bombed out in the CFL. He got knocked out and did not play. Joe was an elite CFL player and very well suited to the wide open CFL game.
I think Joe Theismann's pretty unique: started in back-to-back Super Bowls, winning one; began his NFL career as a punt returner; wore a single-bar facemask. His career is unique as well, since he was drafted by a Dolphins team that immediately went undefeated and he played in the CFL. There isn't any other QB who can say that they played in the CFL and also won a Super Bowl.
Warren Moon.
@@joeharvie8362 Moon didn’t win a Super Bowl.
I met Joe and Co quarterback Greg Barton along with other team members for the Toronto argonauts at the Dave Raimy football school in Toronto in the summer of 1971. DAVE was loved by so many of his team they all came out to support him. Including coach Leo Cahill. Great memories.
I absolutely remember Joe returning punts in the 70s. I didn’t know the story behind it but I thought it was cool that a backup QB was the punt returner.
Good Job on this video! You got yourself a new subscriber :) There is a hole in CZcams for this content. We wish you good luck :)
Joe was the original Doug Flutie
Until I read these comments I didn't realize that Joe wasn't in the PFHOF. He deserves to be, and I'm a COWBOYS fan.
Dallas has a lot to be proud of. But sorry, I grew up a Steelers/Dolphins/Oilers fan
I always did like Danny White thought, if for no other reason than his intelligence & versatility.
I used to eat at Joe's restaurant in Fairfax county back in day. Got to know him a little.
He gets a bad rap, he was a very gracious and humble guy.
i thought his last name was Theisman.
He returned punts at Notre Dame early in his career.
I had no idea until Clinton Yates said something on Around the Horn today! I wish Mitchell and Ness would do CFL jerseys.
Theismann is so overlooked and under-rated. He won a ring....quarterbacked his team to back to back Superbowls, winning the 1st one against Don Shula's Dolphins. The following season after that Superbowl win, Theismann led an offense that set the record for points scored in a season! (they were the Greatest Show on Turf way before Kurt Warner entered the league) His career completion percentage is almost identical to Troy Aikman's. He was the league MVP that season.....and yet guys like Warren Moon, Fran Tarkenton, and Jim Kelly are in THE HALL OF FAME while never winning a Superbowl and Theismann is not. If Moon, Kelly, and Tarkenton deserve to be in THE HALL, Theismann does too......
That’s proof perception is everything. The fact the media would induct Aikman first ballot and Theisman can’t sniff the hall is crazy. I believe Aikman is overrated from my perspective.
Yeah tjat Aikman character was no good qb. People tjat played with him were the good ones.
The heart of a champion.
Great video! 👍
Why isn't he in the HALL???
My guess is his mouth. Remember, this is the same guy who joked with a reporter on-air that a hypothetical salary increase, 'still wasn't enough'.....during the recession years of 1981 to 1982.
I'm a capitalist moderate Republican, and even I cringed. You can't take ( unintentional ) target practice at those poor souls who'd give anything for a job.
QBs were compared to Joe Montana during the mid 1980's to early 1990's. He set a pretty high bar.
I was an All-American Placekicker my junior year (1983) in high school. Another thing Theismann did is he was holder on kicking attempts. As a kicker THE HOLDER makes the kicker. Surprised Mosely never acknowledged this.
I think if they would have won the Super Bowl in ‘83 he might have had a chance at the HOF
Absolutely and possibly the Skins would have been able to claim team of the decade
Only 3 players drafted in the first round over that length of time is incredible, especially today. However, look at the 3 players! 3:18 If you're only gonna pick 3, you could do a WHOLE lot worse.
I was thinking the same thing. May was on 2 Super Bowl champions, made the Pro Bowl, and played with Washington for the entire decade of the 80s. Monk and Green made the Hall of Fame.
Lol especially since the Steelers had 5 hofs from the 75 draft alone
Green was in that loaded 1983 draft and was the last pick of that first round. If Elway and Marino weren't in that draft and you picked Green 1st overall it would have been considered a home run pick looking at his HOF career.
Apparently, Theismann's top receiver in Toronto was . . . no. 75?
7:17 vicious block by the ref!
I tried to drop this nugget of information on somone years ago and they thought I was an idiot. Smh.
Joe Theismann was a Terrific QB at Notre Dame..Beat #1 Texas in the Cotton Bowl in his last College Game.. ND Legend!!
He also tried to punt once...we won't talk about that
All that with a single bar helmet too
bring single bar back
I would be willing to bet there is a good chance Joe Theismann is the only player in NFL history to throw a pass, run the ball, punt the ball, return a punt, and make a tackle in his career.
Sammy Baugh probably did all in one game. He one threw 4 TD passes and picked off 4 passes in one game.
Do a video of the time Theisman convinced Joe Gibbs that he could be the Skins punter. Not punt returner, but .... PuntER
🤣😂🤣 it was a classic Theisman scenario 🤣😂🤣
Joe was great, he threw the most sweet spirals, was a team leader, suffered one of the most brutal career ending injuries,
-2X NFC champion
-1 SB win 🏆
-1983 league MVP
-Best Redskin punter ever 😬
Mike Nelms was The Redskins Best kick and punt returner. Brian Mitchell was up there too, but Mike Nelms was the best.
I'd agree with you about Nelms being the "best" return specialist in team history but it's hard to argue against B. Mitchell. His team stats are far and away better than those of Nelms.
Nelms was fearless. I'm sure he called the occasional fair catch, but I sure don't remember it.
@@joeyrincones9308 Nelms only played five years in Washington. Had he played longer things may have been different
I grew up in the same neighborhood as Mr Nelms... he was a great dude
Washington had 3 first round picks and two of them were pro bowlers. Nice
There's an editing error at 6:10.
Joe was a gamer. Joe was fearless. I don't remember him muffing a punt. He also punted himself. He also held for the kicker. I never saw him bobble a kicking snap. He would do anything out there. Not the most gifted player, he had a lot of self confidence that others loved. Look what it took to get hin out of the game.
George allen always wanted kilmer as the starter. It wasn't until 1978 where he was an actual starter. Allen was fired after 1977
Many players that played REAL football, had to play other positions to get in a game. Billy Kilmer also played FB/RB with SF before he got to take a starting role with the saints & Redskins.
On Jim Marshall’s wrong way run in 1964 it was Billy Kilmer who fumbled on the play. Kilmer was playing WR and caught the pass from Jurgenson.
Ey man haz bien tu homework. Youee herrated with h of a hoese.
#DifferentPositionFromSoManyYearsAgo!
And he volunteered to return punts.
It would have been nice if you had included actual FOOTAGE of Joe ACTUALLY returning punts!
Good tackle Joe...
They tried to convert doug flutie into a special teamer
21 and 7 made the tackle
@4:44 that's a pure head injury and why concussions are so serious. You can't see the damage and they were probably like, 'get your lazy a$$ up, you scored a touchdown, you should be happy' but that guy took a helmet to helmet when the helmet wasn't made with the science available now. That dude was out of there, he couldn't even bend his arm and didn't know if he was standing or on the ground. That footage rught there proves why the NFL should do more to take care of anyone who ever played in the league rather or not they reported the injuries or not. They should do that in wrestling too. The WWE owns all the old footage since they bought up all the territories so they should be responsible. They're supposedly are making record profits some how so they should take care of all the alumni rather the injuries were reported officially or not
Legally, the fact that the rules are changed is the safety blanket. It's so many bad lawyers though that many of those guys don't have the proper legal argument ready to get what they're owed. Again, rules like no helmet to helmet hits us a big indictment of guilt so those who played before changes like that have a sure fire victory but the court systems aren't for babies. You have to explain every angle and the judge can't help you by adding it up for you. You and your attorney have to connect all the dots. Even if the judge knows then they can't give it to you if you don't explain every aspect of every angle yourself
don't forget MIAMI drafted him.......
I heard they wanted to move Thiemann to another position and that was one reason he went to Canada.
They may have had only 3 first round picks in that long stretch but they scored big with all of them. Art monk, mark may (as much of a buckeye-hating douche as he is), and darrel green
Drafted by Miami? No offense to Joe Gibbs, but I wonder how good he could have been under a teacher like Shula.
Those 3 picks are all Washington ring of honor guys too so yeah draft picks are useless. Lol. Also as an Eagles fan I despise the "Commanders" but I have a ton of respect for the way Joe played the game. He was great & saying that sounds a little bit like I'm selling him short. Theissman is/was way better than Kilmer & (a 40 year old) Jourgenson. Lastly I love Riggins. Greatest weirdo in NFL history.
2:20 You shouldn't use "Theismann" and "snapped" in the same sentence.......
Lol
That.....is brutal, Cowsays......Damn. But I hope you respect Joe's toughness as obviously a fan?
@@67marlins81 At Joe's restaurant he would yell "make it snappy!" towards the kitchen if a customer was waiting for an order.
You missed the best part of Theismann's punt returning. He was, and probably still is, a total douche bag. Kilmer and Jurgesen used to drink every Saturday night. But that year they made a pact that one would stay sober every week, so they could guarantee Theismann wouldn't play. He was that disliked. Even in his MVP year he wasn't allowed in the 5o'clock club.
Stop killing the the videos with the promos for other videos it's sickening not to watch till the end!
I'm not totally sure he can regulate that....I'm serious.