1963 Profile: Y.A. Tittle

Quarterback
No. 14
LSU
"Forget the bald head and his 36 years - Yelberton Abraham Tittle, better known as Y.A. or Yat, still has the enthusiasm of a high school boy trying to win his letter.
The Giants' quarterback completed a record 33 touchdown passes in 1962. He was the NFL's No. 2 passer with 3,224 yards and ran for 108 more. (And how he loves to run!) This ex-49er has been a pro 16 years.
Y.A. was born in Marshall, Texas and starred at LSU."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

"Consider the case of 'Colonel Slick' alias the 'Bald Eagle' and also known as Yelberton Abraham Tittle of the New York Giants. For more years than he cares to remember, Y.A. toiled manfully for also-ran teams in the bone-crunching world of professional football. Then, just at an age when most athletes are contemplating the comforts of a rocking chair or a soft job as a glad-hander for a brewery, Tittle was suddenly thrust into the limelight as first-string quarterback for a team used to winning championships.
The San Francisco 49ers traded Tittle to the Giants in 1961, and for a time Yat, then 34, thought seriously of retiring. But the temptation to aim for a title was too great for a Tittle, and he proceeded to complete 163 out of 285 passes as New York captured the Eastern Conference crown. This past season he connected for an even 200 out of 375 passes attempted, and his 33 touchdown passes set a new NFL record. Once again the Giants topped the Eastern Conference, although they were beaten for the title by the Green Bay Packers - a repeat of the '61 results. This year the Bald Eagle (the top of Tittle's head bears a striking resemblance to a billiard ball) will be out to help the Giants take all the marbles.
The 6', 195-pound quarterback played his college football for Louisiana State, back in the days of World War II. In 1948 Tittle joined the Baltimore Colts of the All-America Conference - a rival pro loop that has since breathed its last. He joined the 49ers in 1951, dislodging the famed Frankie Albert as first-string signal caller the following year. Tittle huffed and puffed for decade with San Francisco, but the best he could show was a tie with Detroit for Western Conference honors in 1957. And the Lions promptly won the playoff game, 31-27.
This season Tittle will be aiming at the NFL championship held by the Packers. Don't bet he won't make it. In the opinion of Hugh McElhenny, a long-time teammate with the 49ers: 'Y.A. is the greatest competitor you ever saw. He likes to win at everything.'"

-1963 Pro Football Almanac