winner of the pulitzer prize
best short story
riptides
WHY YOUR GOAT
AIN'T MINE
The 5 Greatest Quarterbacks
e v e rHistory
ly tan
inbNFL
COLE JOHNSON
What is a GOAT?
For the uninitiated – this is not in reference to the
animal. It is long from it.
The term GOAT is an acronym meaning Greatest Of All
Time. The first time I ever heard the term was when
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice finished
amassing his unbelievable Super Bowl stat line – 28
receptions, 515 yards, 7 touchdowns … in three
games! No question – that is GOAT territory.
However, because of how he played the position –
there really is not a huge debate at his position
(although I can find one).
Quarterback GOAT Candidates
When it comes to the topic of quarterbacks being the
GOAT – then the conversation gets heated. People who
look at statistics view one man as the greatest to ever
play the position.
Some people view championship appearances as the
greatest measure to the GOAT moniker. Others view
perfection on the biggest stage, the Super Bowl – like
Michael Jordan in the NBA Finals – as the measuring
stick of greatness. Those are nice barometers.
However – that is not all of the story.
Honorable Mentions
The QB GOAT is not WHO???
10. Fran Tarkenton
Vikings (1961-1966) | Giants (1967-1971) |
Vikings (1972-1978)
He didn’t have an arm. He didn’t possess the
prototypical ‘intelligence’ a quarterback is supposed to
have. He surely didn’t possess the ability to be a
champion on the grandest stage and spectacle of them
all – the Super Bowl. However, he was the forerunner to
QBs like Steve Young, Randall Cunningham, and Michael
Vick. They forever had to fight off the label of being a
mobile QB. This man forever shattered the mold.
9. Otto Graham
Browns (1946-1955)
The original ‘mad bomber' – Graham was arguably the
greatest champion in NFL history. He also was a man
ahead of his time. In an era that believed more in the
Vince Lombardi-ish school of thought, “three yards and
a cloud of dust,” Graham, under the tutelage of NFL
innovator Paul Brown, gave a glimpse into the game’s
future. However, he is overshadowed by being
considered Brown’s ‘puppet’. That – and running the
Wing T brings up ‘old school’ talk.
8. Steve Young
Buccaneers (1985-1986) | 49ers (1987-1999)
Forever overshadowed throughout his career, Steve
Young fought very hard to carve out one phenomenal
career. He was cut by the Bucs in favor of Vinny
Testaverde. He sat on the bench for the 49ers, and
backed up Joe Montana for four years. Even when he
finally got his opportunity in 1991, the ‘ghost’ of Montana,
and the inability to beat the Cowboys stayed with him.
All he did was improve on Tarkenton’s improvising
abilities and added pinpoint accuracy along with his
intelligence of the game forever stepping out of the
shadows to claim a place all his own.
7. Brett Favre
Falcons (1991) | Packers (1992-2007) | Jets (2008) |
Vikings (2009-2010)
To some – he is the GOAT. He was the first QB in NFL
history to throw for over 70,000 yards in a career. He
also has amassed 186 wins. He also has accumulated the
most interceptions thrown for a QB in a career. This
three-time NFL MVP was known for being a gunslinger –
with a rocket arm and infectious fun. His enduring
legacy will always be his toughness. Favre started in 297
consecutive games – the most by any other NFL player.
#4 is truly the NFL Ironman.
6. Dan Marino
Dolphins (1983-1999)
This man is known for three things: Zero Super Bowls,
being the only QB to beat the 1985 Bears, and the
quickest release a QB has ever possessed. Legendary
head coach Bill Walsh always remarked on Marino’s
footwork also being the best he ever saw in a QB (and he
coached Montana). Hampered by a lack of a running
game, Marino never got his just due from a team
standpoint. However, the man who was the first to
throw for 60,000 yards in a career is one of the best to
ever do it – earning the enduring respect of his peers,
and fans everywhere.
And Then There Were 5
Think of any quarterback in your mind – and I will tell
you that it just isn’t the greatest of all time at the
position. I already gave you five that didn't claim the
top prize. There are quarterbacks who have thrown for
a lot of yards – yet they are not the one. There are
quarterbacks who have the most rings in their
hardware – yet they are not the one. There are
quarterbacks who exemplify perfection – yet they are
not the one, either. So who is the one, you ask? I’m so
glad you asked that question.
I will count down this list from #5 to #1.
The Cream of the Crop
5. John Elway
Colts (1983) | Broncos (1983-1998)
The man who could never win ‘the big one’, John Elway
destroyed this notion by becoming a back-to-back
champion before calling it a career. He was the first QB
to lead his team to five Super Bowl appearances.
Unfortunately, his legacy takes a huge hit because of
three blowout losses in the Super Bowl. However, his
perseverance, moxie and cannon arm are always
remembered.
4. Peyton Manning
Colts (1998-2011) | Broncos (2012-2015)
With his second ring, he just nudged ahead of his
former boss, John Elway, Peyton Manning has the most
decorated career of any QB in NFL history. He has
thrown for the most yards in a season. He has thrown
for the most touchdowns in a season. He has thrown
for the most touchdowns in a career. He has thrown for
the most yards in a career. He also has tied Brett Favre
with 186 wins (most for any NFL QB). However, he will
not be the best because of one record: 14-13. Because
Peyton is barely above .500, in the playoffs - he will
never get the brass ring.
3. Tom Brady
Patriots (2000-present)
Surprised he is that low, right? “Oh, he’s gotta’ be the
GOAT!” Not so fast. I know he has made five straight
AFC Championship appearances. He has thrown for
over 50,000 yards for a career. He has the most
appearances in the Super Bowl of any QB (seven) –
winning five of them. His stats dwarf any other QBs,
right! Well – Brady has two losses in the Super Bowl,
and that will always preclude him from the top spot.
Besides, he even said that Joe Montana is the Michael
Jordan of the NFL. The man has a point.
2. Joe Montana
49ers (1979-1992) | Chiefs (1993-1994)
He was the picture of perfection – especially at the
Super Bowl. Joe Montana had his moments of defeat
(1983 NFC Championship, 1986 NFC Divisional Round,
1987 NFC Divisional Round, 1990 NFC Championship).
However, this man is noted for being the essence of cool
in the Super Bowl. It is not just the four rings that are
amazing. It is the fact he threw for 11 TDs, zero INTs. In
a word, Montana was flawless in the biggest moment.
Yet, even HE is not the greatest QB of all-time.
The Greatest Quarterback
of All-Time Is ...?
1. Johnny Unitas
Steelers (1955) | Colts (1956-1972) | Chargers (1973)
Here is the standard bearer in all of the NFL as far as
quarterbacks go. John Unitas may not have the eyepopping numbers that the more modern quarterbacks
have. He may not have four Super Bowl rings.
However, he does have four NFL championship rings
to his resume, like the aforementioned Brady, Montana
and Terry Bradshaw. Unitas, unlike the others in most
of their careers, called his own plays. He also, unlike
the others on this list, threw for one touchdown in 47
straight games. That was a NFL record until 2012. It
stood for 52 years. He was the poster child for how the
quarterback position was supposed to look (mastering
timing patterns and the two-minute drill). Before any
of the modern QBs broke the record – Unitas pioneered
the position as a whole – paving the way for every
major QB (from Starbach to the present) that followed.
IT'S YOUR TURN
I WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK!
Who, in your mind, is the Greatest of All­Time at the
quarterback position? Please feel free to write down your
thoughts and send them to me. I want to hear froom my
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