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.
Bobby Layne claims the #7 spot. His three NFL Championships with the Detroit Lions made the difference, pushing him ahead of several other greats. Few players in NFL history matched Layne’s combination of leadership, toughness, and big-game performance. His winning ways and clutch performances became the standard by which future quarterbacks were measured.
Early Life and High School Career
Robert Lawrence Layne was born December 19, 1926, in Santa Anna, Texas. After losing his father at a young age, Layne moved to Highland Park near Dallas, where he became a Texas high school football legend.
At Highland Park High School, Layne starred at quarterback alongside his lifelong friend and future NFL teammate, Doak Walker. In his senior year, Layne led Highland Park to the Texas state semifinals and earned All-State honors, showcasing the toughness that would define his football journey.
College Career at Texas
Layne’s college career at the University of Texas was one of the greatest in school history. He was a four-time All-Southwest Conference selection and a consensus All-American in 1947.
He led Texas to the Cotton Bowl, where he delivered a historic performance:
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Completed 11 of 12 passes
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Accounted for all 40 points in a 40–27 win over Missouri
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Set multiple Cotton Bowl and NCAA records
Layne finished sixth in Heisman voting his senior year and left Texas with multiple school passing records, many of which stood for decades. He was a fierce competitor in both football and baseball, cementing himself as one of the University of Texas’ all-time athletic greats.
NFL Career and Achievements
Bobby Layne’s professional career stretched 15 seasons and included stints with the Bears, Bulldogs, Lions, and Steelers. But it was in Detroit where he made his lasting mark:
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3× NFL Champion (1952, 1953, 1957)
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6× Pro Bowl Selection (1951–1953, 1956, 1958, 1959)
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2× First-Team All-Pro (1952, 1956)
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NFL Passing Yards Leader (1950, 1951)
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NFL Passing Touchdowns Leader (1951)
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NFL Completion Percentage Leader (1955)
By the time he retired, Layne was the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (26,768), completions (1,814), and touchdowns (196). He also racked up 2,451 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns, showing his toughness extended beyond just throwing the ball.
His leadership and fearless play earned him a reputation as one of the grittiest and most clutch players ever.
Legacy
Layne’s rugged style and knack for winning defined his era. Known as the inventor of the two-minute drill, he was a master of late-game comebacks and thrived under pressure.
His friendship and championship connection with Doak Walker remains a legendary chapter in Detroit Lions history.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967, with the Lions retiring his #22 jersey. Layne is also a member of the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and the Pride of the Lions.
Despite the infamous “Curse of Bobby Layne” after his trade to Pittsburgh, his influence on quarterback play and NFL culture is undeniable.
– 3× NFL Champion
– NFL’s All-Time Leading Passer at Retirement
– 6× Pro Bowl Selection
Bobby Layne’s championship pedigree, record-breaking career, and legendary leadership make him a deserving choice for #7 on our list of the greatest offensive players from Texas high school football.
