Y. A. Tittle. Y. A. Tittle, born in 1926, American football

Y. A. Tittle. Y. A. Tittle, born in 1926, American football player, who was one of the most dominating and consistent quarterbacks of the 1950s and 1960s. Tittle played quarterback for 17 professional seasons, throwing for more than 33,000 yards and passing for 242 touchdowns. He is best known for leading the New York Giants to three consecutive division titles in the early 1960s. Yelberton Abraham Tittle was born in Marshall, Texas. He played collegiate football at Louisiana State University and signed with the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1947. Tittle was traded to the Baltimore Colts the following year. In 1948 he helped the Colts tie for the Eastern Division title. The Colts joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1950. Because of financial problems, however, the franchise folded in 1951, and Tittle moved on to the San Francisco 49ers. (A new Colts franchise was established the following year.) Tittle's individual statistics steadily improved in San Francisco, and in 1955 he led the NFL with 17 touchdown passes. Two years later Tittle was named NFL player of the year after completing 176 passes for 2157 yards and 13 touchdowns. After the 1960 season, Tittle was traded to the Giants, who were quarterbacked by the popular Charlie Conerly. The two shared the job in 1961, but as Tittle's abilities became more evident, he took over the starting role and led the team to the Eastern Division title. Two of his best seasons were in 1962 and 1963, and he led the Giants to the division title in both years. In 1962 Tittle set an NFL record with 33 touchdown passes, and the next year he broke his record by throwing for 36 touchdowns. He also won a second NFL player of the year award. Tittle's 36 touchdown passes stood as a record until Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins threw for 48 in 1984. Although he played for only four seasons with the Giants, Tittle endeared himself to New York fans. When he retired at the end of the 1964 season, the franchise retired his number (14), one of the highest honors paid to an athlete. Tittle was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.