Norm Van Brocklin

With a cool nickname like “The Dutchman,” is there any doubt Norm Van Brocklin was destined for the NFL’s Hall of Fame?

The year was 1951, the New York Yanks were a football team (for one year) and Norm Van Brocklin was the cat’s pajamas.

It was 57 years ago, and in that season Van Brocklin set a NFL record with 554 passing yards in a 54-14 Rams win over those Yanks.

The record-setting game was played on a Friday, and “The Dutchman” was on fire!

Van Brocklin completed 27-of-41 passes and threw five touchdowns in the game.

Not one, but three of his receivers - Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch, Tom Fears and Vitamin Smith - all had over 100 receiving yards.

Van Brocklin wasn’t even the only QB for the Rams, as he shared snaps with Bob Waterfield during their championship run. Despite having to split starting time, he was still named to the Pro Bowl in 1951.

In fact, he was named to nine of them altogether and was voted into Canton in 1971.

“The Dutchman’s” record still stands to this very day, which is why we’re dishing out some Old School Love for Norm Van Brocklin, one of the best to ever play the game.