Professional Football History
American Football might just be the most popular sports league in the history of American sports. Founded in 1920, American Football started with just 10 teams and has since grown to 32 teams after expansions and a notable merger with the AFL.
There were at least three incarnations of the American Football League (AFL) and another known as the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), attempting to challenge the NFL for professional dominance throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, but none of them succeeded.
In addition to its games in 32 home stadiums across the United States. Today’s American football is made up of two conferences, the American football Conference and the National Football Conference, better known as the AFC and the NFC.
Each American football conference comprises 16 teams and four divisions: the East, West, North, and South divisions.
Nowadays, American Football competition is the Major sport in the country with its main event the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is the annual final playoff game of the American Football League to determine the league and national champion.
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Pro Football All Time Records
| SB | Date | Site | Winner | Loser | Score | MVP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LVII | Feb. 12, 2023 | State Farm Stadium | Super Bowl 57 | |||
| LVI | Feb. 13, 2022 | SoFi Stadium | Rams | Bengals | 23-20 | Cooper Kupp |
| LV | Feb. 7, 2021 | Raymond James Stadium | Buccaneers | Chiefs | 31-9 | Tom Brady |
| LIV | Feb. 2, 2020 | Hard Rock Stadium | Chiefs | 49ers | 31-20 | Patrick Mahomes |
| LIII | Feb. 3, 2019 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Patriots | LA Rams | 13-3 | Julian Edelman |
| LII | Feb. 4, 2018 | US Bank Stadium | Eagles | Patriots | 41-33 | Nick Foles |
| LI | Feb. 5, 2017 | NRG Stadium | Patriots | Falcons | 34-28 | Tom Brady |
| 50 | Feb. 7, 2016 | Levi’s Stadium | Broncos | Panthers | 24-10 | Von Miller |
| XLIX | Feb. 1, 2015 | Univ of Phoenix Stadium | Patriots | Seahawks | 28-24 | Tom Brady |
| XLVIII | Feb. 2, 2014 | MetLife Stadium | Seahawks | Broncos | 43-8 | Malcolm Smith |
| XLVII | Feb. 3, 2013 | Louisiana Superdome | Ravens | 49ers | 34-31 | Joe Flacco |
| XLVI | Feb. 5, 2012 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Giants | Patriots | 21-17 | Eli Manning |
| XLV | Feb. 6, 2011 | Cowboys Stadium | Packers | Steelers | 31-25 | Aaron Rodgers |
| XLIV | Feb. 7, 2010 | Dolphin Stadium | Saints | Indy Colts | 31-17 | Drew Brees |
| XLIII | Feb. 1, 2009 | Raymond James Stadium | Steelers | Cardinals | 27-23 | Santonio Holmes |
| XLII | Feb. 3, 2008 | Univ of Phoenix Stadium | Giants | Patriots | 17-14 | Eli Manning |
| XLI | Feb. 4, 2007 | Dolphin Stadium | Indy Colts | Bears | 29-17 | Peyton Manning |
| XL | Feb. 5, 2006 | Ford Field | Steelers | Seahawks | 21-10 | Hines Ward |
| XXXIX | Feb. 6, 2005 | Alltel Stadium | Patriots | Eagles | 24-21 | Deion Branch |
| XXXVIII | Feb. 1, 2004 | Reliant Stadium | Patriots | Panthers | 32-29 | Tom Brady |
| XXXVII | Jan. 26, 2003 | Qualcomm Stadium | Buccaneers | Raiders | 48-21 | Dexter Jackson |
| XXXVI | Feb. 3, 2002 | Louisiana Superdome | Patriots | STL Rams | 20-17 | Tom Brady |
| XXXV | Jan. 28, 2001 | Raymond James Stadium | Ravens | Giants | 34-7 | Ray Lewis |
| XXXIV | Jan. 30, 2000 | Georgia Dome | STL Rams | Titans | 23-16 | Kurt Warner |
| XXXIII | Jan. 31, 1999 | Pro Player Stadium | Broncos | Falcons | 34-19 | John Elway |
| XXXII | Jan. 25, 1998 | Qualcomm Stadium | Broncos | Packers | 31-24 | Terrell Davis |
| XXXI | Jan. 26, 1997 | Louisiana Superdome | Packers | Patriots | 35-21 | Desmond Howard |
| XXX | Jan. 28, 1996 | Sun Devil Stadium | Cowboys | Steelers | 27-17 | Larry Brown |
| XXIX | Jan. 29, 1995 | Joe Robbie Stadium | 49ers | SD Chargers | 49-26 | Steve Young |
| XXVIII | Jan. 30, 1994 | Georgia Dome | Cowboys | Bills | 30-13 | Emmitt Smith |
| XXVII | Jan. 31, 1993 | Rose Bowl | Cowboys | Bills | 52-17 | Troy Aikman |
| XXVI | Jan. 26, 1992 | Metrodome | Washington | Bills | 37-24 | Mark Rypien |
| XXV | Jan. 27, 1991 | Tampa Stadium | Giants | Bills | 20-19 | Ottis Anderson |
| XXIV | Jan. 28, 1990 | Louisiana Superdome | 49ers | Broncos | 55-10 | Joe Montana |
| XXIII | Jan. 22, 1989 | Joe Robbie Stadium | 49ers | Bengals | 20-16 | Jerry Rice |
| XXII | Jan. 31, 1988 | Jack Murphy Stadium | Washington | Broncos | 42-10 | Doug Williams |
| XXI | Jan. 25, 1987 | Rose Bowl | Giants | Broncos | 39-20 | Phil Simms |
| XX | Jan. 26, 1986 | Louisiana Superdome | Bears | Patriots | 46-10 | Richard Dent |
| XIX | Jan. 20, 1985 | Stanford Stadium | 49ers | Dolphins | 38-16 | Joe Montana |
| XVIII | Jan. 22, 1984 | Tampa Stadium | LA Raiders | Washington | 38-9 | Marcus Allen |
| XVII | Jan. 30, 1983 | Rose Bowl | Washington | Dolphins | 27-17 | John Riggins |
| XVI | Jan. 24, 1982 | Pontiac Silverdome | 49ers | Bengals | 26-21 | Joe Montana |
| XV | Jan. 25, 1981 | Louisiana Superdome | Raiders | Eagles | 27-10 | Jim Plunkett |
| XIV | Jan. 20, 1980 | Rose Bowl | Steelers | LA Rams | 31-19 | Terry Bradshaw |
| XIII | Jan. 21, 1979 | Orange Bowl | Steelers | Cowboys | 35-31 | Terry Bradshaw |
| XII | Jan. 15, 1978 | Superdome | Cowboys | Broncos | 27-10 | Randy White Harvey Martin |
| XI | Jan. 9, 1977 | Rose Bowl | Raiders | Vikings | 32-14 | Fred Biletnikoff |
| X | Jan. 18, 1976 | Orange Bowl | Steelers | Cowboys | 21-17 | Lynn Swann |
| IX | Jan. 12, 1975 | Tulane Stadium | Steelers | Vikings | 16-6 | Franco Harris |
| VIII | Jan. 13, 1974 | Rice Stadium | Dolphins | Vikings | 24-7 | Larry Csonka |
| VII | Jan. 14, 1973 | Memorial Coliseum | Dolphins | Washington | 14-7 | Jake Scott |
| VI | Jan. 16, 1972 | Tulane Stadium | Cowboys | Dolphins | 24-3 | Roger Staubach |
| V | Jan. 17, 1971 | Orange Bowl | Balt. Colts | Cowboys | 16-13 | Chuck Howley |
| IV | Jan. 11, 1970 | Tulane Stadium | Chiefs | Vikings | 23-7 | Len Dawson |
| III | Jan. 12, 1969 | Orange Bowl | Jets | Balt. Colts | 16-7 | Joe Namath |
| II | Jan. 14, 1968 | Orange Bowl | Packers | Raiders | 33-14 | Bart Starr |
| I | Jan. 15, 1967 | Memorial Coliseum | Packers | Chiefs | 35-10 | Bart Starr |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Aaron Rodgers, Packers |
| 2020 | Aaron Rodgers, Packers |
| 2019 | Lamar Jackson, Ravens |
| 2018 | Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs |
| 2017 | Tom Brady, Patriots |
| 2016 | Matt Ryan, Falcons |
| 2015 | Cam Newton, Panthers |
| 2014 | Aaron Rodgers, Packers |
| 2013 | Peyton Manning, Broncos |
| 2012 | Adrian Peterson, Vikings |
| 2011 | Aaron Rodgers, Packers |
| 2010 | Tom Brady, Patriots |
| 2009 | Peyton Manning, Colts |
| 2008 | Peyton Manning, Colts |
| 2007 | Tom Brady, Patriots |
| 2006 | LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers |
| 2005 | Shaun Alexander, Seahawks |
| 2004 | Peyton Manning, Colts |
| 2003 | Peyton Manning, Colts and Steve McNair, Titans |
| 2002 | Rich Gannon, Raiders |
| 2001 | Kurt Warner, Rams |
| 2000 | Marshall Faulk, Rams |
| 1999 | Kurt Warner, Rams |
| 1998 | Terrell Davis, Broncos |
| 1997 | Brett Favre, Packers and Barry Sanders, Lions |
| 1996 | Brett Favre, Packers |
| 1995 | Brett Favre, Packers |
| 1994 | Steve Young, 49ers |
| 1993 | Emmitt Smith, Cowboys |
| 1992 | Steve Young, 49ers |
| 1991 | Thurman Thomas, Bills |
| 1990 | Joe Montana, 49ers |
| 1989 | Joe Montana, 49ers |
| 1988 | Boomer Esiason, Bengals |
| 1987 | John Elway, Broncos |
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor, Giants |
| 1985 | Marcus Allen, Raiders |
| 1984 | Dan Marino, Dolphins |
| 1983 | Joe Theismann, Washington |
| 1982 | Mark Moseley, Washington |
| 1981 | Ken Anderson, Bengals |
| 1980 | Brian Sipe, Browns |
| 1979 | Earl Campbell, Oilers |
| 1978 | Terry Bradshaw, Steelers |
| 1977 | Walter Payton, Bears |
| 1976 | Bert Jones, Colts |
| 1975 | Fran Tarkenton, Vikings |
| 1974 | Ken Stabler, Raiders |
| 1973 | O.J. Simpson, Bills |
| 1972 | Larry Brown, Washington |
| 1971 | Alan Page, Vikings |
| 1970 | John Brodie, 49ers |
| 1969 | NFL: Roman Gabriel, Rams; AFL: Joe Namath, Jets |
| 1968 | NFL: Earl Morrall, Colts; AFL: Joe Namath, Jets |
| 1967 | NFL: Johnny Unitas, Colts; AFL: Daryle Lamonica, Raiders |
| 1966 | NFL: Bart Starr, Packers; AFL: Jim Nance, Patriots |
| 1965 | NFL: Jim Brown, Browns |
| 1964 | NFL: Y.A. Tittle, Giants |
| 1963 | NFL: Y.A. Tittle, Giants |
| 1962 | NFL: Jim Taylor, Packers |
| 1961 | NFL: Paul Hornung, Packers |
| 1960 | Norm Van Brocklin, Eagles |
| 1959 | Charley Conerly, Giants |
| 1958 | Jim Brown, Browns |
| 1957 | Jim Brown, Browns |
| Class | Inductees |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Bryant Young, Cliff Branch, Art McNally, Dick Vermeil |
| 2021 | Alan Faneca, Tom Flores, Calvin Johnson, John Lynch, Peyton Manning, Bill Nunn, Drew Pearson, Charles Woodson |
| 2020 | Steve Atwater, Isaac Bruce, Bill Cowher, Steve Hutchinson, Edgerrin James, Jimmy Johnson, Troy Polamalu, Steve Sabol, Paul Tagliabue and George Young |
| 2019 | Champ Bailey, Pat Bowlen, Gil Brandt, Tony Gonzalez, Ty Law, Kevin Mawae, Ed Reed, Johnny Robinson |
| 2018 | Bobby Beathard, Robert Brazile, Brian Dawkins, Jerry Kramer, Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Brian Urlacher |
| 2017 | Morten Andersen, Terrell Davis, Kenny Easley, Jerry Jones, Jason Taylor, LaDainian Tomlinson, Kurt Warner |
| 2016 | Edward DeBartolo Jr., Tony Dungy, Brett Favre, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace, Ken Stabler, Dick Stanfel |
| 2015 | Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Charles Haley, Bill Polian, Junior Seau, Will Shields, Mick Tingelhoff, Ron Wolf |
| 2014 | Derrick Brooks, Ray Guy, Claude Humphrey, Walter Jones, Andre Reed, Michael Strahan, Aeneas Williams |
| 2013 | Larry Allen, Cris Carter, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson, Warren Sapp |
| 2012 | Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf |
| 2011 | Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Chris Hanburger, Les Richter, Ed Sabol, Deion Sanders, Shannon Sharpe |
| 2010 | Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Dick LeBeau, Floyd Little, John Randle, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith |
| 2009 | Bob Hayes, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas, Ralph Wilson, Rod Woodson |
| 2008 | Fred Dean, Darrell Green, Art Monk, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett, Gary Zimmerman |
| 2007 | Gene Hickerson, Michael Irvin, Bruce Matthews, Charlie Sanders, Thurman Thomas, Roger Wehrli |
| 2006 | Troy Aikman, Harry Carson, John Madden, Warren Moon, Reggie White, Rayfield Wright |
| 2005 | Benny Friedman, Dan Marino, Fritz Pollard, Steve Young |
| 2004 | Bob (Boomer) Brown, Carl Eller, John Elway, Barry Sanders |
| 2003 | Marcus Allen, Elvin Bethea, Joe DeLamielleure, James Lofton, Hank Stram |
| 2002 | George Allen, Dave Casper, Dan Hampton, Jim Kelly, John Stallworth |
| 2001 | Nick Buoniconti, Marv Levy, Mike Munchak, Jackie Slater, Lynn Swann, Ron Yary, Jack Youngblood |
| 2000 | Howie Long, Ronnie Lott, Joe Montana, Dan Rooney, Dave Wilcox |
| 1999 | Eric Dickerson, Tom Mack, Ozzie Newsome, Billy Shaw, Lawrence Taylor |
| 1998 | Paul Krause, Tommy McDonald, Anthony Munoz, Mike Singletary, Dwight Stephenson |
| 1997 | Mike Haynes, Wellington Mara, Don Shula, Mike Webster |
| 1996 | Lou Creekmur, Dan Dierdorf, Joe Gibbs, Charlie Joiner, Mel Renfro |
| 1995 | Jim Finks, Henry Jordan, Steve Largent, Lee Roy Selmon, Kellen Winslow |
| 1994 | Tony Dorsett, Bud Grant, Jimmy Johnson, Leroy Kelly, Jackie Smith, Randy White |
| 1993 | Dan Fouts, Larry Little, Chuck Noll, Walter Payton, Bill Walsh |
| 1992 | Lem Barney, Al Davis, John Mackey, John Riggins |
| 1991 | Earl Campbell, John Hannah, Stan Jones, Tex Schramm, Jan Stenerud |
| 1990 | Junious (Buck) Buchanan, Bob Griese, Franco Harris, Ted Hendricks, Jack Lambert, Tom Landry, Bob St. Clair |
| 1989 | Mel Blount, Terry Bradshaw, Art Shell, Willie Wood |
| 1988 | Fred Biletnikoff, Mike Ditka, Jack Ham, Alan Page |
| 1987 | Larry Csonka, Len Dawson, Joe Greene, John Henry Johnson, Jim Langer, Don Maynard, Gene Upshaw |
| 1986 | Paul Hornung, Ken Houston, Willie Lanier, Fran Tarkenton, Doak Walker |
| 1985 | Frank Gatski, Joe Namath, Pete Rozelle, O.J. Simpson, Roger Staubach |
| 1984 | Willie Brown, Mike McCormack, Charley Taylor, Arnie Weinmeister |
| 1983 | Bobby Bell, Sid Gillman, Sonny Jurgensen, Bobby Mitchell, Paul Warfield |
| 1982 | Doug Atkins, Sam Huff, George Musso, Merlin Olsen |
| 1981 | Morris (Red) Badgro, George Blanda, Willie Davis, Jim Ringo |
| 1980 | Herb Adderley, David (Deacon) Jones, Bob Lilly, Jim Otto |
| 1979 | Dick Butkus, Yale Lary, Ron Mix, Johnny Unitas |
| 1978 | Lance Alworth, Weeb Ewbank, Alphonse (Tuffy) Leemans, Ray Nitschke, Larry Wilson |
| 1977 | Frank Gifford, Forrest Gregg, Gale Sayers, Bart Starr, Bill Willis |
| 1976 | Ray Flaherty, Len Ford, Jim Taylor |
| 1975 | Roosevelt Brown, George Connor, Dante Lavelli, Lenny Moore |
| 1974 | Tony Canadeo, Bill George, Lou Groza, Dick (Night Train) Lane |
| 1973 | Raymond Berry, Jim Parker, Joe Schmidt |
| 1972 | Lamar Hunt, Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson, Clarence (Ace) Parker |
| 1971 | Jim Brown, Bill Hewitt, Frank (Bruiser) Kinard, Vince Lombardi, Andy Robustelli, Y.A. Tittle, Norm Van Brocklin |
| 1970 | Jack Christiansen, Tom Fears, Hugh McElhenny, Pete Pihos |
| 1969 | Albert Glen (Turk) Edwards, Earlie (Greasy) Neale, Leo Nomellini, Joe Perry, Ernie Stautner |
| 1968 | Cliff Battles, Art Donovan, Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch, Wayne Millner, Marion Motley, Charley Trippi, Alex Wojciechowicz |
| 1967 | Chuck Bednarik, Charles W. Bidwill, Sr., Paul Brown, Bobby Layne, Dan Reeves, Ken Strong, Joe Stydahar, Emlen Tunnell |
| 1966 | Bill Dudley, Joe Guyon, Arnie Herber, Walt Kiesling, George McAfee, Steve Owen, Hugh (Shorty) Ray, Clyde (Bulldog) Turner |
| 1965 | Guy Chamberlin, John (Paddy) Driscoll, Dan Fortmann, Otto Graham, Sid Luckman, Steve Van Buren, Bob Waterfield |
| 1964 | Jimmy Conzelman, Ed Healey, Clarke Hinkle, William Roy (Link) Lyman, Mike Michalske, Art Rooney, George Trafton |
| 1963 | Sammy Baugh, Bert Bell, Joe Carr, Earl (Dutch) Clark, Harold (Red) Grange, George Halas, Mel Hein, Wilbur (Pete) Henry, Robert (Cal) Hubbard, Don Hutson, Earl (Curly) Lambeau, Tim Mara, George Preston Marshall, John (Blood) McNally, Bronko Nagurski, Ernie Nevers, Jim Thorpe |
| Rank | Player | Passing Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drew Brees | 77,416 |
| 2 | Tom Brady | 74,571 |
| 3 | Peyton Manning | 71,940 |
| 4 | Brett Favre | 71,838 |
| 5 | Dan Marino | 61,361 |
| Rank | Player | Rushing Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drew Brees | 77,416 |
| 2 | Tom Brady | 74,571 |
| 3 | Peyton Manning | 71,940 |
| 4 | Brett Favre | 71,838 |
| 5 | Dan Marino | 61,361 |
| Rank | Player | REceptions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jerry Rice | 1,549 |
| 2 | Larry Fitzgerald | 1,378 |
| 3 | Tony Gonzalez | 1,325 |
| 4 | Jason Witten | 1,215 |
| 5 | Marvin Harrison | 1,102 |
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