'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Tobin Rote, a player so often overlooked in the vast history of the NFL, was once a force to be reckoned with at quarterback. For 13 years between 1950 and 1966, Tobin Rote tore his way through opposing defenses. He amassed 18,850 yards, along with a superb 148 touchdown passes compared to only 191 interceptions, leading his teams to a record of 48 wins, 64 losses and 4 ties.
Building a storied career like this comes at the hands of impeccable single-game performances, and you will be graced with the chronicles of Tobin Cornelius Rote's finest days on the field.
His many successful games resulted in the penultimate reward for any professional American football player, an NFL championship. He started his long, illustrious career with the Green Bay Packers in the NFL before moving on to their division rivals, the Detroit Lions. It was with the Lions that Rote would win his big game, cementing his name into history.
Following his stint with the Lions, Rote would take a break from football to enjoy his many other pursuits before returning to football to join the San Diego Chargers. He ended his career with one final stand as a member of the Denver Broncos, but the number of legendary games that he had will never be forgotten.
#5 Tobin Rote man-handles the Los Angeles Rams
October 21st, 1956; Week 4
Stats: 16-31, 279 yards passing, 3 passing TDs, 30 yards rushing, 1 rushing TD
This game was a 42-17 rout by Tobin Rote's Green Bay Packers over the Los Angeles Rams on a cool, autumn day in Milwaukee County Stadium. After starting the game down 7-0, Rote, in all his rage, stepped on the throat of the Rams' defense and never let up. With over 300 total yards and 4 TDs, Rote delivered such a decisive blow to the Rams' organization that they would end up moving to St. Louis almost 39 years later.
#4 Tobin Rote crawls out on top with sheer will-power
December 2nd, 1956; Week 10
Stats: 13-28, 168 yards passing, 0 passing TD, 3 INT, 63 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD
Coming off a win immediately following a 4-game losing streak, Rote and his Packers were desperate for a victory against the 6-3 Chicago Cardinals. Rote learned early on that this Cardinals team was no slouch as they trampled all over Rote's teammates en route to 3 early interceptions.
This angered Tobin, so he decided to forget his teammates and take care of business all by himself. He pounded the rock over and over, and eventually, using sheer will-power, pulled his team back to within one score.
He towered over his offensive line at 6 foot 3 inches and 211 pounds, dripping blood and many other inhuman juices. Rote never cried or sweated, his teammates would later recall. Rote squeezed his bloodied, oily body through the stout defensive line and scored the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of the game.
#3 Tobin Rote's teammates blow it
November 3rd, 1957; Week 6
Stats: 14-22, 212 yards, 4 passing TDs, 134.8 passer rating
Tobin Rote brought his A-game in a legendary quarterback battle with future Hall-of-Famer, Yelberton Abraham Tittle Jr. Despite Rote throwing the ball all over the 49er's pittiful secondary, the game was neck-and-neck until the finish.
Leading by 3 in the final minutes of the game, the Lions' defense embarrassed Tobin as they allowed YA Tittle and the 49ers to march down and score the game-winning touchdown. Many spectators believed that, had Tobin Rote been able to play on the defensive side of the ball, the game would have ended much differently.
Rote's fierce competitiveness would make him an unstoppable force to be reckoned with, but, sadly, his capabilities would only be limited to the offensive side of the ball. Tittle won the game while Rote chewed his teammates out in the locker room after the game. Rote got the best of Tittle in the end, however, as Tittle would go on to lose the hair on top of his head.
#2 Tobin Rote is a Charger in the 60s?
November 2nd, 1963; Week 8
Stats: 21-29, 369 passing yards, 3 passing TD, 1 rushing TD, 149.0 passer rating
Tobin Rote's success extended well beyond his time in the north with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in the 1950s, as he made his way out to the San Diego coast to join Lance Alworth and the Chargers. This elite pair made for quite the passing offense, which was clearly on display in their 53-7 slaughter of the New York Jets.
Tobin Rote got the better of his counterpart, Dick Wood, as he amassed 369 passing yards for a new career high. He added 4 total touchdowns as he accounted for a near-perfect passer rating. Lance Alworth was a huge weapon for Rote, as he would accumulate 180 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown of the 3 that Rote so graciously delivered. Although Lance Alworth would go on to lead a productive receiving career, he would never find the same fulfillment playing without his hero, Tobin Rote.
#1 Tobin Rote is the champion of the world
NFL Championship, 1957
Stats: 12-19, 280 passing yards, 4 passing TD, 1 rushing TD, 146.4 passer rating
Averaging 15 yards per attempt, Tobin Rote led a reckoning of biblical proportions onto the poor, unsuspecting Cleveland Browns defense. Rote would total 5 touchdowns in the 59-14 murder, including 1 rushing touchdown, just to show opposing Jim Brown the impact that a god can make on the football field.
The victory sent shockwaves throughout the football world. It impacted the champion Detroit Lions so much that they would never go on to appear in another championship, vowing not to potentially upset their graceful overlord, Tobin Rote.
I hope now that you can see the kind of player that Tobin Rote was, and maybe understand his case for being a potential Hall-of-Famer. Rote would go on to ride off into the sunset only 9 years following his one and only championship victory.
Following an illustrious career, Rote would slip into the shadows, never to be seen again, with his legacy being the only grain of hope remaining deep in the annals of NFL history.
