Tuesday's P.M. Hot Clicks: SI's 60 Best NFL Photos

SI's Best NFL PhotosThe NFL season has reached its halfway point and SI's Don Banks has his superlatives for the first two months of the season. And when
Tuesday's P.M. Hot Clicks: SI's 60 Best NFL Photos
Tuesday's P.M. Hot Clicks: SI's 60 Best NFL Photos /

SI's Best NFL Photos

60 Greatest NFL Photos

1954

1954-Bobby-Layne-005821205.jpg
Hy Peskin

Bobby Layne led the Detroit Lions to NFL titles in 1952 and '53, but had to settle for a conference crown in '54.

1958

1958-NFL-Championship-Alan-Ameche-01068344.jpg
Neil Leifer

Colts back Alan Ameche scored the winning touchdown against the Giants in the NFL Championship, labeled ''The Greatest Game Ever Played.''

1960

1960-Chuck-Bednarik-Frank-Gifford-001074864.jpg
John G. Zimmerman

Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik knocked Giants back Frank Gifford out of the game ... and the following season.

1960

1960-Jim-Taylor-001087555.jpg
Hy Peskin

Jim Taylor could grind out yardage for Green Bay even when the tundra wasn't frozen.

1962

1962-Jimmy-Orr-Jerry-Mertens-001297105.jpg
Walter Iooss Jr

The Colts' Jimmy Orr beat tight coverage for a touchdown catch against the 49ers.

1962

1962-Tommy-Davis-017024290.jpg
Neil Leifer

The Packers' grasp exceeded their reach as they tried to knock down a chip shot by 49ers kicker Tommy Davis.

1964

1964-NFL-Championship-Jim-Brown-001365372.jpg
Neil Leifer

Browns back Jim Brown tries for a touchdown against the Colts during the 1964 NFL Championship at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.

1966

1966-Ray-Nitschke-Jim-Brown-080060747.jpg
Neil Leifer

Packers linebacker Ray Nitschke recovers a Jim Brown fumble during the NFL Championship at Lambeau Field.

1968

1968-Super-Bowl-II-Vince-Lombardi-Jerry-Kramer-Forrest-Gregg-001158044.jpg
Neil Leifer

Jerry Kramer (64) and Forrest Gregg carry Vince Lombardi off the field after Green Bays' second straight Super Bowl triumph and Lombardi's final game as the Packers' coach.

1968

1968-Pete-Beathard-(11)-NLC_02693.jpg
Neil Leifer

Pete Beathard (11) called the Oilers' play as this shot was snapped from a catwalk inside the Astrodome.

1968

1968-John-Mackey-Johnny-Unitas-NLC_02695.jpg
Neil Leifer

John Mackey (88) and Johnny Unitas (19) huddle with their fellow Colts during practice at Memorial Stadium, shot with a fisheye lense.

1968

1968-Dick-Butkus-Don-Horn-017074642.jpg
Neil Leifer

Dick Butkus made eight straight Pro Bowls and led the Monsters of the Midway in intimidation for nine years.

1969

1969-Super-Bowl-III-Joe-Namath-005021565.jpg
Walter Iooss Jr

Broadway Joe offered reporters, including Brent Musburger (left), a guarantee: the underdog Jets would shock 18-point favorite Baltimore in Super Bowl III.

1969

1969-Dave-Osborn-Deacon-Jones-001087668.jpg
Neil Leifer

Vikings back Dave Osborn took a lick from the Rams' Deacon Jones (75) but still scored.

1970

1970-Dave-Osborn-Willie-Lanier-001302501.jpg
Heinz Kluetmeier

Eight months after Super Bowl IV, Dave Osborn and the Vikings avenged their loss to Willie Lanier (63) and the Chiefs.

1971

1971-Super-Bowl-V-Jim-O'Brien-06004646.jpg
Walter Iooss Jr

The Colts' margin of victory over the Cowboys in Super Bowl V was provided by Jim O'Brien on this field goal.

1971

1971-Mean-Joe-Greene-079009817_0.jpg
Neil Leifer

Mean Joe Greene, the first pick in the '69 draft, became the cornerstone of a Steelers team that dominated with defense and won four Super Bowls.

1972

1972-Mike-McCoy-Steve-Spurrier-001087569final.jpg
John Biever

Packers tackle Mike McCoy had mayhem in mind but couldn't reach 49ers quarterback Steve Spurrier before he let it fly.

1973

1973-Super-Bowl-VII-Manny-Fernandez-Billy-Kilmer-001044816.jpg
Walter Iooss Jr

The Dolphins' Manny Fernandez (75) pursues Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer in Super Bowl VII.

1973

1973-Super-Bowl-VII-Don-Shula-001255770.jpg
Neil Leifer

Don Shula celebrates with his Dolphins, who capped off their undefeated season -- still unmatched in NFL history -- with a win in Super Bowl VII.

1973

1973-LC-Greenwood-hands-017023961.jpg
Walter Iooss Jr

The Mayhem of football took a toll on the hands of Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood.

1973

1973-OJ-Simpson-079009788.jpg
Neil Leifer

O.J. Simpson broke Jim Brown's single-season rushing record with this carry, and ended the season with 2,003 yards.

1974

1974-Super-Bowl-VIII-Mercury-Morris-Jim-Marshall-017041319.jpg
Neil Leifer

Mercury Morris helped the Dolphins dominate Jim Marshall (70) and the Vikings in Super Bowl VIII.

1974

1974-Joe-Namath-001296363.jpg
Neil Leifer

Jets quarterback Joe Namath listens on the sidelines during a messy game against the Bills at Shea Stadium.

1976

1976-Super-Bowl-X-Lynn-Swann-001303732.jpg
Heinz Kluetmeier

Steelers wideout Lynn Swann laid out the Cowboys in Super Bowl X in Miami, and was the game's MVP.

1979

1979-Super-Bowl-XIII-Jackie-Smith-Ron-Johnson-001285584.jpg
Tony Triolo

Tight end Jackie Smith flops in the end zone after dropping a potential game-tying touchdown. Dallas had to settle for a field goal en route to losing Super Bowl XIII 35-31.

1982

1982-Dwight-Clark-001175816.jpg
Walter Iooss Jr

Dwight Clark's last-minute catch beat the Cowboys and put the 49ers in the Super Bowl.

1982

1982-Super-Bowl-XVI-Earl-Cooper-001307340.jpg
Andy Hayt

49ers fullback Earl Cooper celebrates after scoring a 10-yard receiving touchdown in the second quarter of Super Bowl XVI.

1983

1983-AFC-Playoffs-Bruce-Hardy-Mike-Williams-001087336.jpg
Walter Iooss Jr

The Chargers' Mike Williams got up high to cover Dolphins tight end Bruce Hardy, who went even higher for this catch.

1984

1984-Walter-Payton-005832829_0.jpg
Heinz Kluetmeier

Walter Payton went around, through and sometimes over the defense to pick up precious yards.

1986

1986-Super-Bowl-XX-Reggie-Phillips-05701916.jpg
Walter Iooss Jr

The Bears' Reggie Phillips returned this interception for a TD in Chicago's rout of the Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

1988

1988-Jack-Vaughn-005159619.jpg
Heinz Kluetmeier

Referee Jack Vaughn tries to follow an Eagles' field goal attempt during the Fog Bowl, an NFC divisional playoff game against the Bears.

1989

1989-Super-Bowl-XXIII-Joe-Montana-001307322.jpg
Richard Mackson

With only 3:10 left in the game, Joe Montana marched the 49ers 92 yards down the field to beat the Bengals 20-16 in Super Bowl XXIII.

1991

1991-Jay-Schroeder-005091934.jpg
John W. McDonough

Raiders quarterback Jay Schroeder was an unlucky 13 when Bills defenders put a new twist on the old gang tackle.

1994

1994-Emmitt-Smith-001069416.jpg
John Iacono

The Cowboys' Emmitt Smith ran into heavy traffic while the Giants' Lawrence Taylor tried to run into Smith.

1994

1994-Mike-Jones-Al-Conway-001296812.jpg
Richard Mackson

Hats off to Raiders linebacker Mike Jones for not flagging the ref for holding on this play.

1994

1994-Dan-Marino-001087056.jpg
George Tiedemann

Dan Marino had to contend with the Patriots' rush and a ravaged field in Miami.

1994

1994-Barry-Sanders-001303170.jpg
John Biever

Barry Sanders ran circles around NFL defenses with an electrifying style unlike anything the league had seen.

1994

1994-Chris-Zorich-005166318.jpg
John Biever

The Bears' Chris Zorich felt the chill of 15-degree weather in December, in Green Bay.

1995

1995-Marcus-Allen-001087556.jpg
Tim DeFrisco

Chiefs back Marcus Allen scored the 100th of his 123 career rushing TDs, in Denver.

1996

1996-Dale-Carter-Don-Beebe-005530049.jpg
Damian Strohmeyer

Chiefs cornerback Dale Carter was stretched to the limit when he broke up this pass to Packers wideout Don Beebe.

1999

1999-Mark-Brunell-017024915.jpg
John Biever

Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell went up and over two Browns to reach the end zone in Cleveland.

1999

1999-Steve-McNair-001320508.jpg
Al Tielemans

Steve McNair paid a high price to reach paydirt against the Steelers.

2001

2001-Aaron-Brooks-Giants-001239724.jpg
John Iacono

All hands were on deck--and on Aaron Brooks (2)--as the Giants' defense scuttled the Saints' quarterback.

2001

2001-Randy-Moss-001243794.jpg
Damian Strohmeyer

Vikings wideout Randy Moss took matters into his own hand to make this reception against the Steelers.

2002

2002-Randy-McMichael-001075169.jpg
Bob Rosato

Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael soars over Saints defenders to score during a preseason game.

2003

2003-Antwaan-Randle-El-Chris-Akins-001079920.jpg
Bob Rosato

Steelers wideout Antwaan Randle El provided a turning point of sorts when he was face-masked by the Browns' Chris Akins.

2003

2003-Justin-McCareins-Mike-Caldwell-Jarrod-Cooper-001098304.jpg
Bill Frakes

Titans receiver Justin McCareins had a meeting of the minds with Panthers linebacker Mike Caldwell (59) and safety Jarrod Cooper.

2003

2003-Jeremi-Johnson-001367182.jpg
John Biever

The pylon left no doubt that Bengals running back Jeremi Johnson had scored against the Chiefs in Cincinnati.

2004

2004-Super-Bowl-XXXVIII-Tom-Brady-006308547.jpg
John W. McDonough

Tom Brady and the Patriots rush the field after defeating the Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

2006

2006-LaDainian-Tomlinson-Oshiomogho-Atogwe-016313709.jpg
John W. McDonough

Chargers back LaDainian Tomlinson stiff arms Rams saftey O.J. Atogwe as he takes off on a 38-yard touchdown run.

2008

2008-Super-Bowl-XLII-David-Tyree-Rodney-Harrison-op7n-8958.jpg
Damian Strohmeyer

Giants wideout David Tyree secures a catch with his helmet against Patriots safety Rodney Harrison in Super Bowl XLII.

2009

2009-Super-Bowl-XLIII-Santonio-Holmes-Aaron-Francisco-opgm-51894.jpg
Al Tielemans

Wideout Santonio Holmes's leaping touchdown grab with 42 seconds remaining gave the Steelers a 27-23 win over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

2009

2009-Derrick-Mason-Brandon-Meriweather-opnh-11425.jpg
Damian Strohmeyer

Ravens wideout Derrick Mason rolls over in end zone after making a touchdown catch as Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather watches.

2009

2009-Geno-Hayes-Evan-Dietrich-Smith-opp0-7205.jpg
Bill Frakes

Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes got upended during a field goal attempt by the Packers.

2010

2010-Charles-Woodson-opow-79001.jpg
John Biever

Packers cornerback Charles Woodson returns an interception 48 yards for a touchdown against the Lions at Lambeau Field.

2010

2010-James-Harrison-Mohamed-Massaquoi-opy1-6445.jpg
Fred Vuich

Browns wideout Mohamed Massaquoi sustained a concussion on this hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

2011

2011-Aaron-Hernandez-David-Harris-op2p-186.jpg
Heinz Kluetmeier

Jets linebacker David Harris rips the helmet off Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez as he makes the tackle.

2012

2012-Super-Bowl-XLVI-Ahmad-Bradshaw-op2q-62066.jpg
Simon Bruty

Giants back Ahmad Bradshaw scores with 57 seconds left in Super Bowl XLVI as he tried to stop himself from falling into the end zone to kill the clock.

2012

2012-Robert-Griffin-III-op5n-15661.jpg
Al Tielemans

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III stepped out of bounds before making a dive towards the end zone against the Bengals.

The NFL season has reached its halfway point and SI's Don Banks has his superlatives for the first two months of the season. And when you're finished reading that excellent midseason report, take a gander at some football history with our all-time favorite NFL photos taken by SI's renown photographers.

SI's Twitter 100

Earlier today, SI unveiled its fourth annual Twitter 100, comprised of the 100 best people and organizations to follow for news, information and entertainment from the sports world. Some people were thrilled. Others were angry. You can follow all the reaction by searching the hashtag #SITwitter100. Be sure to also check out our Twitter Superlatives and the Year in Tweets.

World's Longest Golf Club

Congrats to Dallas golf pro Michael Furrh, who set a new Guinness World Record for the longest useable golf club, teeing off with a 20-foot, six-inch driver at Rolling Hills Country Club in Texas. 

P.M. Lovely Lady of the Day

Gigi Paris has a new photo shoot out for Acacia Swimwear. She is currently No. 2 on my Gigi Power Rankings, right after Gigi Hadid (click here for full-size gallery) ... Jenell Hendrix is the Bikini Team Model of the Month ... The hottest women from Sons of Anarchy.

Hot Clicks Giveaway: Hercules 

Didn't get a chance to see Hercules at the theater last summer? No worries. It's now available on DVD/Bl and I have three prize packs to give away. That's right, not just a copy of the movie but a prize pack consisting of a Hercules-themed duffel bag, book, water bottle, stress dumbell, earbuds and towel. I'll send one to the 50th, 100th and 150th person who emails me (andy_gray@simail.com) the most popular NFL player (among females) in Maine. The answer was in this morning's Hot Clicks. Please make the subject line "Hercules."

Update (8:47 p.m.): Contest is closed. Winners will be notified soon. Another giveaway coming Wednesday.

One of This Week's SI Covers

Ryan Tannehill is a Very Lucky Man

Not Sure I Like These

Odds & Ends

WWE Monday Night Raw review ... The #CowboysUK hashtag is not working out for the Cowboys ...Johnny Damon will compete on the next season of Celebrity Apprentice ... This guy dressed up as a CVS receipt deserves an award ... Rangers goalie Cam Talbot debuted his new Ghostbusters mask ... Enjoyed this profile of Allen Iverson in the Philippines ... Michael Del Zotto's hellish week continues as another girl discussed his bad social media habits ... This minor league goaltender stopped a 2-on-0 breakaway by dislodging his net from its moorings.

Coming Soon to HBO!

Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley audition for Season 3 of True Detective.

[youtube:http://youtu.be/alwM_sIajDY]

The World's Fastest Golf Cart

This is what a golf cart traveling at 118.76 mph looks like.

In Case You Missed the '80s

I have no idea where this video came from but it passed through my Facebook feed and I can't stop watching it.

Post by DJ Sharaz.

100 Best Live YouTube Performances

Spin Magazine released its list of Top 100 live musical performances on YouTube. This 1978 performance of So Lonely by The Police made the list.

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Click here for previous editions of Hot Clicksand here for SI's breaking news video clips.


Published
Andy Gray
ANDY GRAY

A senior editor atSI.com, Andy Gray oversees Hot Clicks, Extra Mustard and the Swimsuit site. A Boston sports loyalist and Columbia graduate, he joined SI in 2005.