Top 12 of No. 12 on 12-12-12
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
With this week being the last occurrence in our lifetime in which the date will read 12-12-12, that number got me thinking about all the great NFL players who have had that number stitched on their jersey at some point in their career.
This list I created is all quarterbacks, but it is tough to find anyone who wasn't a QB who didn't or isn't producing in the number. (The team listed is for whom they are known for wearing the number the most or the team where they had the most success with the number).
Before we get to my Top 12, here are some who did not make the cut:
• Trent Dilfer (one Super Bowl win while wearing No. 8) — With No. 12, well, he almost ruined the Tampa Bay franchise, too. And let's be honest with each other, the Ravens' defense won that Super Bowl title … the Ravens' offense was along for the ride. I do like him as an analyst.
• Zeke Bratkowski (three teams) — 122 interceptions in 50 starts … enough said.
• Todd Marinovich — One of the worst first-round picks ever to play in the NFL (sorry, Raiders) … drugs and family ruined his career. His "30 for 30" documentary is great, though. He shows that there is more to life than football.
Here is my list. Is your list different?
12. Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts) — So what if he's only a rookie in the NFL? We are currently witnessing the maturation of the next great NFL signal caller, and even as a first-year player, he's like watching a veteran QB. His numbers, through 13 games played … 295-537 (54.9 percent) for 5,792 with 18 TDs and 18 INTs.
The interceptions don't scare me because No. 1, he's a rookie, and No. 2, he'll fix that problem as his career progresses. It will be enjoyable watching his career develop … I predict a Super Bowl championship before his career is complete.
11. Joe Ferguson (Buffalo Bills) — Can't say I know a whole lot about him, but he started as a rookie and once tied Fran Tarkenton with 25 TD passes in 1975. He also started 107 straight games at QB, so to play that many games in a row, you have to be doing something right, right?
10. Doug Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — His greatest days didn't come while wearing the No. 12, but he did wear the number while QB of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they wore their creamsicle jerseys, and that right there is enough to make my list. Those were some sweet uniforms.
9. Joe Namath (New York Jets) — Some folks won't agree with this spot for Joe Willie Namath … I guarantee it. He did win a Super Bowl championship by defeating the Baltimore Colts, but his overall numbers on the field just aren't up to par. By the way, I love Namath, especially old man Joe Namath (just like I like old Elvis better), who sometimes can bring a laugh to a sideline interview.
Here are Namath's career numbers (minus the four games he played for the Rams) … 170 TDs to 215 interceptions with 27,057. An all-time great, but this is as far as I can put him.
8. Ken Stabler (Oakland Raiders) — How can I not add a guy nicknamed "The Snake" to my list, and for toppers, one who is a Super Bowl champion? He made his name in pro football with the Oakland Raiders, where he was a member of the Super Bowl XI championship team and was the '74 NFL MVP. He threw 194 TDs and had 222 interceptions.
7. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) — He's one of the Top 10 QBs of my lifetime (est. 1984), but he's still playing, is one of the best playing today, has one Super Bowl title, and he'll eventually move up on this list, but he's not Tom Brady either, so there is that … but he does have the discount double-check. RODGERS!
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6. Randall Cunningham (Philadelphia Eagles) — My opinion is Randall Cunningham was ahead of his time. If Cunningham wasn't around and successful with his run-first QB-type style, the NFL would be played a lot differently than it is today.
I was in elementary school when Cunningham was in his prime, but I'll never forget seeing him play football, throwing, leaping and soaring in the air for yards … maybe it was fitting he played in his prime for the Eagles.
He was Michael Vick on the field before Michael Vick … watch his highlights.
5. Bob Griese (Miami Dolphins) — Before Dan Marino broke all the records in the teal, white and orange colors of the Dolphins, Bob Griese was the man in Miami. He led the Dolphins to Super Bowl VII and VIII wins, including the 1972 perfect season, still the only one of its kind where a team was perfect in the regular season and won the Super Bowl.
He's a Hall of Famer, and his No. 12 is retired by the Dolphins, not to mention he passed for over 25,000 yards and is a good analyst.
4. Jim Kelly (Buffalo Bills) — Maybe because I grew up during Kelly's prime, but he's still one of the best quarterbacks of my lifetime. I know his Buffalo teams lost four straight Super Bowls, but he couldn't play defense, too.
He began his career in the USFL with the Houston Gamblers (by the way, I love that team name), and he threw over 35,000 yards in the NFL with 237 TDs and 175 interceptions. He put Buffalo on the map, and at times in his tenure, the Bills were the best team in New York.
3. Terry Bradshaw (Pittsburgh Steelers) — Four Super Bowl titles, the '78 NFL MVP and two Super Bowl MVPs … I don't care his defense was one of the greatest of all time, if the Steelers don't have Bradshaw under center, they don't win four Super Bowls.
He never lost a Super Bowl, and let's face it, unless the player has great stats (see Jim Kelly), a player is ultimately judged on Super Bowl titles.
Today people know him for his funny side on the pre-game shows, but watch the film: he was a constant competitor. One thing that bothers me is his 212 touchdowns to 210 interceptions, but like I said earlier … Super Bowl rings matter, and he has four … and he also has some country music albums. Check out "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" on YouTube.
2. Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys) — Yes, I'm a Cowboys fan, and when I describe meeting Mr. Staubach, I do say it was like meeting a football god. So what? This is my list, and Staubach is No. 2.
I put him in the runner-up position because if the Cowboys of the '70s didn't have "Captain Comeback" under center, they wouldn't have won a single Super Bowl until the early '90s.
The man had his career shortened for his service in the Navy, he's a Hall of Famer, and though it was in college, he did win a Heisman Trophy. He was one of the first running quarterbacks of his time, nicknamed "The Dodger," and was the Super Bowl VI MVP.
Plus, I can never rank him under a Steeler.
1. Tom Brady (New England Patriots) — Maybe Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of my generation, or of all time, but I do know the 199th draft pick in the 2000 NFL Draft has become one of the all-time greats and is in the running of being the greatest of all time.
He's won three Super Bowls, passed for over 43,000 yards, has 329 TDs to 119 interceptions … so if there is a better QB to ever wear No. 12, I can't find one.
He's done everything a player can do in the NFL, and sadly for the rest of us non-New England fans, he doesn't seem to be finished anytime soon. We may never see another No. 12 as great as he is on the football field.
Though his sponsorship of Uggs almost cost him his No. 1 spot … C'mon, Man!
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.
This list I created is all quarterbacks, but it is tough to find anyone who wasn't a QB who didn't or isn't producing in the number. (The team listed is for whom they are known for wearing the number the most or the team where they had the most success with the number).
Before we get to my Top 12, here are some who did not make the cut:
• Trent Dilfer (one Super Bowl win while wearing No. 8) — With No. 12, well, he almost ruined the Tampa Bay franchise, too. And let's be honest with each other, the Ravens' defense won that Super Bowl title … the Ravens' offense was along for the ride. I do like him as an analyst.
• Zeke Bratkowski (three teams) — 122 interceptions in 50 starts … enough said.
• Todd Marinovich — One of the worst first-round picks ever to play in the NFL (sorry, Raiders) … drugs and family ruined his career. His "30 for 30" documentary is great, though. He shows that there is more to life than football.
Here is my list. Is your list different?
12. Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts) — So what if he's only a rookie in the NFL? We are currently witnessing the maturation of the next great NFL signal caller, and even as a first-year player, he's like watching a veteran QB. His numbers, through 13 games played … 295-537 (54.9 percent) for 5,792 with 18 TDs and 18 INTs.
The interceptions don't scare me because No. 1, he's a rookie, and No. 2, he'll fix that problem as his career progresses. It will be enjoyable watching his career develop … I predict a Super Bowl championship before his career is complete.
11. Joe Ferguson (Buffalo Bills) — Can't say I know a whole lot about him, but he started as a rookie and once tied Fran Tarkenton with 25 TD passes in 1975. He also started 107 straight games at QB, so to play that many games in a row, you have to be doing something right, right?
10. Doug Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — His greatest days didn't come while wearing the No. 12, but he did wear the number while QB of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they wore their creamsicle jerseys, and that right there is enough to make my list. Those were some sweet uniforms.
9. Joe Namath (New York Jets) — Some folks won't agree with this spot for Joe Willie Namath … I guarantee it. He did win a Super Bowl championship by defeating the Baltimore Colts, but his overall numbers on the field just aren't up to par. By the way, I love Namath, especially old man Joe Namath (just like I like old Elvis better), who sometimes can bring a laugh to a sideline interview.
Here are Namath's career numbers (minus the four games he played for the Rams) … 170 TDs to 215 interceptions with 27,057. An all-time great, but this is as far as I can put him.
8. Ken Stabler (Oakland Raiders) — How can I not add a guy nicknamed "The Snake" to my list, and for toppers, one who is a Super Bowl champion? He made his name in pro football with the Oakland Raiders, where he was a member of the Super Bowl XI championship team and was the '74 NFL MVP. He threw 194 TDs and had 222 interceptions.
7. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) — He's one of the Top 10 QBs of my lifetime (est. 1984), but he's still playing, is one of the best playing today, has one Super Bowl title, and he'll eventually move up on this list, but he's not Tom Brady either, so there is that … but he does have the discount double-check. RODGERS!
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6. Randall Cunningham (Philadelphia Eagles) — My opinion is Randall Cunningham was ahead of his time. If Cunningham wasn't around and successful with his run-first QB-type style, the NFL would be played a lot differently than it is today.
I was in elementary school when Cunningham was in his prime, but I'll never forget seeing him play football, throwing, leaping and soaring in the air for yards … maybe it was fitting he played in his prime for the Eagles.
He was Michael Vick on the field before Michael Vick … watch his highlights.
5. Bob Griese (Miami Dolphins) — Before Dan Marino broke all the records in the teal, white and orange colors of the Dolphins, Bob Griese was the man in Miami. He led the Dolphins to Super Bowl VII and VIII wins, including the 1972 perfect season, still the only one of its kind where a team was perfect in the regular season and won the Super Bowl.
He's a Hall of Famer, and his No. 12 is retired by the Dolphins, not to mention he passed for over 25,000 yards and is a good analyst.
4. Jim Kelly (Buffalo Bills) — Maybe because I grew up during Kelly's prime, but he's still one of the best quarterbacks of my lifetime. I know his Buffalo teams lost four straight Super Bowls, but he couldn't play defense, too.
He began his career in the USFL with the Houston Gamblers (by the way, I love that team name), and he threw over 35,000 yards in the NFL with 237 TDs and 175 interceptions. He put Buffalo on the map, and at times in his tenure, the Bills were the best team in New York.
3. Terry Bradshaw (Pittsburgh Steelers) — Four Super Bowl titles, the '78 NFL MVP and two Super Bowl MVPs … I don't care his defense was one of the greatest of all time, if the Steelers don't have Bradshaw under center, they don't win four Super Bowls.
He never lost a Super Bowl, and let's face it, unless the player has great stats (see Jim Kelly), a player is ultimately judged on Super Bowl titles.
Today people know him for his funny side on the pre-game shows, but watch the film: he was a constant competitor. One thing that bothers me is his 212 touchdowns to 210 interceptions, but like I said earlier … Super Bowl rings matter, and he has four … and he also has some country music albums. Check out "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" on YouTube.
2. Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys) — Yes, I'm a Cowboys fan, and when I describe meeting Mr. Staubach, I do say it was like meeting a football god. So what? This is my list, and Staubach is No. 2.
I put him in the runner-up position because if the Cowboys of the '70s didn't have "Captain Comeback" under center, they wouldn't have won a single Super Bowl until the early '90s.
The man had his career shortened for his service in the Navy, he's a Hall of Famer, and though it was in college, he did win a Heisman Trophy. He was one of the first running quarterbacks of his time, nicknamed "The Dodger," and was the Super Bowl VI MVP.
Plus, I can never rank him under a Steeler.
1. Tom Brady (New England Patriots) — Maybe Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of my generation, or of all time, but I do know the 199th draft pick in the 2000 NFL Draft has become one of the all-time greats and is in the running of being the greatest of all time.
He's won three Super Bowls, passed for over 43,000 yards, has 329 TDs to 119 interceptions … so if there is a better QB to ever wear No. 12, I can't find one.
He's done everything a player can do in the NFL, and sadly for the rest of us non-New England fans, he doesn't seem to be finished anytime soon. We may never see another No. 12 as great as he is on the football field.
Though his sponsorship of Uggs almost cost him his No. 1 spot … C'mon, Man!
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.