I began watching professional football in the 1950’s. The game was far different 60+ years ago than it is today. Although one thing remains a constant, a quarterback who was a leader, what was required of the men who played that position in the past is far from what is necessary today.

I am fed up with today’s horrible announcers and analysts who claim that Manning, Brady, Brees, and others are superior to all others in the sport’s history. The rules are completely different, and today’s QBs have more help making critical decisions than their predecessors.

Let’s compare what was required from legends including three of the greatest, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, and Terry Bradshaw with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees. (I could name many more past players who were exciting to watch and much tougher than today’s quarterbacks, but this will do for now.)

The rules today protect quarterbacks from most possible injuries. Defensive players cannot touch their heads, hit them below the knees, or place their full weight on these ‘ladies,’ driving them to the ground. They are virtually untouchable. This did not apply to the beatings taken by Unitas, Namath, or Bradshaw, and it certainly did not protect Y.A. Tittle who played for the 49ers in the famous picture when he is kneeling in the end zone with a bloody face. Bradshaw once traveled home on a stretcher attached to the top of seats on the team airplane. Namath’s knees were destroyed before the end of his career. Unitas suffered multiple injuries from head to toe but often rallied to lead his team to victory.

The second biggest difference between past quarterbacks and todays “princesses” is what was required to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Today’s QBs have speakers in their helmets. The head coach or offensive coordinator selects each play and relays that play to the quarterback. In the 50s, 60s, and 70s quarterbacks had to know the playbook backwards and forwards because they made their own calls on every play. They had to be intelligent as well as physically talented.

Unitas and Namath were known for their ability to read defenses and call the right plays. Although it took Bradshaw several years to learn this skill, he won four Super Bowls. Of the three QBs claimed to be ‘great’ by today’s sportscasters only Manning was allowed to call his own plays on occasion.

When Tom Brady is knocked down frequently or sacked often in a game, he becomes inaccurate and usually loses. Manning also needed great protection to complete a record number of touchdown passes. Brees is the only one of the three who exhibits a level of escapability.

The truth is that quarterbacks of the past cannot be compared to today’s ‘untouchables.’ The game is not the same and the truth is players cannot be compared from different generations.

Finally, I do not want to hear hyperbole from today’s failed analysts and play by play announcers.

I am boycotting Facebook. Please tell everyone about my blog; the truth lives here. Thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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