We are ranking the Top 10 All-Time Best NFL Offensive Players from Texas high school football.
This list is based solely on each player’s NFL career — MVPs, total stats, All-Pro teams, Super Bowl wins, and Pro Bowl selections.
Landing at #6 is Y.A. Tittle. The Marshall, Texas native was a fierce competitor whose late-career dominance secured him a spot among the game’s greats. Tittle’s career numbers, four MVP or Player of the Year awards, and record-setting seasons with the Giants edge him ahead of other legends.
Early Life and High School Career
Born Yelberton Abraham Tittle Jr. in Marshall, Texas, Tittle spent his childhood dreaming of quarterback greatness. He starred at Marshall High School, leading his team to an undefeated regular season and a trip to the state finals. His grit and dedication were apparent even at an early age.
College Career at LSU
At LSU, Tittle became a two-time All-SEC quarterback and set multiple school passing records. He led the Tigers to the 1947 Cotton Bowl Classic, known as the “Ice Bowl,” where he earned MVP honors despite brutal weather. His 2,525 career passing yards at LSU were a school record until the 1970s.
NFL Career and Achievements
Tittle’s 17-year professional career is one of the most iconic in NFL history:
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7× Pro Bowl Selection
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4× First-Team All-Pro
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4× NFL MVP/Player of the Year Awards (1957, 1961, 1962, 1963)
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Led the NFL in passing touchdowns twice
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Set single-season TD records in 1962 (33) and 1963 (36)
He began with the Baltimore Colts in the AAFC, winning Rookie of the Year honors. After a rocky stint, he joined the San Francisco 49ers and became a key part of the famed “Million Dollar Backfield.” His innovative “alley-oop” pass play with R.C. Owens became a football staple.
However, it was his trade to the New York Giants at age 34 that elevated his legacy. In New York, Tittle revitalized his career, setting passing records and leading the Giants to three straight NFL Championship games from 1961–63. Although a championship eluded him, his back-to-back record-breaking seasons in 1962 and 1963 remain iconic.
Legacy
At retirement, Tittle held NFL records for career passing yards (28,339), passing touchdowns (212), completions, and attempts. His influence extended beyond numbers—he was a pioneer of the modern passing game and a leader teammates rallied around.
The image of a bloodied, helmetless Tittle kneeling in the end zone after a brutal hit became one of the most enduring images in American sports history. It symbolized not just the end of a career but the sheer toughness Tittle brought to the field every week.
– 7× Pro Bowler
– 4× NFL MVP/Player of the Year
– 36 TDs in 1963 (NFL record at the time)
Despite falling short of a championship, Y.A. Tittle’s incredible individual achievements, historic passing numbers, and legendary leadership earn him a well-deserved spot at #6 among the greatest offensive players from Texas high school football.
