10 Least Known NFL Records That Will Surprise You
Some NFL records are easy to remember, as they are tied to the best American football players and coaches to ever step foot in the league. However, there are a number of records that tend to get overlooked. On the other hand, some of them are simply forgettable. For this piece, let’s take a look at 10 lesser-known NFL records that will surprise you.
Most career fumbles: Brett Favre
Brett Favre is a well-accomplished quarterback during his playing days. He is a three-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion. Additionally, he also led the league in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completion percentage.
However, if there’s one thing Brett Favre isn’t proud of, it would be becoming the NFL’s all-time leader in career fumbles. Favre counted 166 during his Hall of Fame career.
Most Super Bowl wins as a player, coach and assistant coach: Tom Flores
Winning a Super Bowl as a player or a coach is hard work. While some people are capable of winning as a manager or a player, only a few football personalities have taken it to a whole new level. Both Mike Ditka and Tom Flores have won a Super Bowl as a player, coach and assistant coach. However, Flores has a total of four Super Bowl championships.
Tom Flores won the Super Bowl as a player with the Kansas City Chiefs. Additionally, he won three as a Raiders coach and assistant coach.
Shortest punt in modern NFL history: Joe Theismann
Joe Theismann is a solid quarterback who has accomplished a lot in the NFL. He is a Super Bowl champion, NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and has also made two trips to the Pro Bowl.
Although the seasoned quarterback had accomplished a lot, being a team’s punter was not one. With Jeff Hayes injured in a game against the Chicago Bears, Theismann was called in to punt. Theismann hit the punt as the ball only traveled a yard above the line of scrimmage. It’s an NFL record that will probably never be broken.
Oldest combined practice game in NFL history: Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick
In 2020, two great coaches in Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick clashed as coaches when the New England Patriots took on the Seattle Seahawks. The two coaches combined for 137 years and 162 days. It’s an NFL record. In 2022, both coaches are coming off of seasons where their teams exceeded expectations in their 70s.
The 2 oldest NFL coaches:
– Pete Carroll (69)
– Bill Belichick (68)
Their combined age of 137 years and 162 days on game day will set a record for oldest head coaching game in NFL history pic.twitter.com/BlqTH8sF96
— Professional Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 20, 2020
Oldest coach to win a Super Bowl: Bruce Arians
After his stint as a coach with the Arizona Cardinals, Bruce Arians decided to quit. But in 2019, he came out of retirement, which ultimately led to him winning his first Super Bowl championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Tom Brady.
With the victory, Arians became the oldest head coach to achieve the coveted feat at 68 years old.
Youngest player to win a Super Bowl: Jamal Lewis
The Super Bowl is the clash between the two best teams of the NFL season. For this reason, it’s quite rare to see a rookie star on football’s biggest stage. Nonetheless, Jamal Lewis was able to make it in Super Bowl XXXV while playing for the Baltimore Ravens. At 21 years and 152 days, Lewis became Super Bowl champion in his rookie season. He was also the youngest player to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl game.
Oldest Super Bowl player: Steve DeBerg
When Tom Brady won the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he earned the distinction of becoming the oldest to appear and win a Super Bowl. However, he wasn’t the oldest to make a Super Bowl roster. This distinction goes to Steve DeBerg.
Coming out of retirement, DeBerg sat on the bench for the Atlanta Falcons until Super Bowl XXXIII against the Denver Broncos. Although the Falcons didn’t win and the veteran didn’t see a single minute, DeBerg can find solace in setting the record for being the oldest player to make a Super Bowl roster.
Biggest Blast in NFL History: Jaguars vs. Dolphins (2000)
Dan Marino is a decorated quarterback. However, the former NFL MVP couldn’t save his Miami Dolphins from a 62-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final game of his career. Thanks to fine play from Mark Brunell, Jay Fiedler and Fred Taylor, the Jaguars easily beat the Dolphins by 55 points. In the aftermath, they also sent legendary Dan Marino into retirement with an NFL record he’d love to forget.
Most points by an NFL team in a loss: Kansas City Chiefs
Scoring plays a key role in winning games. However, that’s not all. The Kansas City Chiefs engaged the Los Angeles Rams in a shootout. Unfortunately, despite 51 points, the Chiefs lost to the Rams 54-51.
Although the Chiefs were able to win, Patrick Mahomes’ mistakes in crucial moments let the game slip away.
Highest-scoring game: Redskins vs. Giants (1966)
When the Washington Redskins faced the New York Giants in 1966, it would become a high-scoring affair. Both teams had a combined total of 113 points, which is the most in NFL history. The game saw the Redskins take the win, 72-41. Washington’s 72 points was also a record for most points scored by a team. The Redskins were paced by Sonny Jurgensen who had three touchdowns and completed 10 of 16 passes.