On this day in NFL history, we go back in time to 1948 when the New York Giants Charlie Conerly set an NFL record of 36 pass completions. Conerly passed away in 1996 and what makes this an interesting piece of history to delve into, is the fact that Charlie Conerly was not just a highly successful quarterback, he was also the Marlboro Man!"
Let’s dive into Conerly's remarkable story.
Who was Charlie Conerly?
Charlie Conerly was one of the NFL’s most talented and versatile quarterbacks. Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1921, he initially made a name for himself at the University of Mississippi, where he was a standout in both football and baseball.
After serving as a Marine in World War II, Conerly returned to Ole Miss to lead the Rebels to their first-ever SEC Championship in 1947. His college accolades, which included finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, earned him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Conerly was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1945 but never played for them, instead he made his NFL debut with the New York Giants in 1948. His mix of athletic ability, toughness, and football intelligence made him one of the league's standout players of the late 1940s and 1950s.
Conerly's 36 pass completion record
In the 1948 game that made history, Conerly completed an unprecedented 36 passes in a single outing. This was no small feat in an era dominated by the run game and rudimentary passing schemes.
His record was a testament to his skill and vision as a quarterback, as well as his endurance and ability to rally his team.
While the record has since been surpassed in the pass-happy modern NFL, Conerly's achievement is still notable for its time. It highlighted the evolving nature of football strategy and hinted at the quarterback-centric game we see today.
Conerly's Other Achievements
Conerly had an illustrious NFL career spanning 14 seasons (1948–1961), all with the New York Giants. Some of his key accomplishments include:
- NFL Championship Winner (1956): Conerly helped lead the Giants to a 47-7 rout of the Chicago Bears in the title game, cementing his place as one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
- NFL MVP (1959): Even late in his career, Conerly continued to excel, winning the league's Most Valuable Player award at the age of 38.
- Pro Bowl Selection: Conerly earned a Pro Bowl nod in 1951 for his exceptional play.
- Ring of Honor: His contributions to the Giants are commemorated with his inclusion in the franchise’s prestigious Ring of Honor.
Despite these accolades, Conerly has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a point of contention among fans and historians, who view him as one of the game's early greats.
Conerly the Marlboro Man
Perhaps the most unexpected chapter in Conerly’s life came post-retirement when he became one of the faces of the iconic Marlboro Man advertising campaign.
While cigarette advertising is now banned, people of a certain generation will remember the Marlboro man well - a handsome, well-travelled hero who had incredible adventures in amazing out of the way locations.
With his rugged good looks and cowboy-esque demeanour, Conerly was a perfect fit for the cigarette ads that sought to market Marlboro as a symbol of masculinity and Americana.
At the time, professional athletes commonly endorsed cigarettes — a stark contrast to today’s health-conscious era. Conerly’s stint as the Marlboro Man not only kept him in the public eye but also added an intriguing footnote to his multifaceted career.
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