Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Y.A. Tittle, passed away on Sunday night. He was born in Marshall, Texas, played college football at LSU, and had been living in Atherton, California since retiring from the NFL. Tittle was suffering from severe dementia.
Tittle, who was just two weeks away from his 91st birthday, spent 10 seasons with the 49ers from 1951 through 1960. Prior to his time in San Francisco, Tittle spent three years with the Baltimore Colts and then four seasons with the New York Giants following his time with the 49ers.
Tittle joined the 49ers in 1951 following the end of the Baltimore franchise the season before. The quarterback, along with all of his former teammates, became eligible for the 1951 NFL Draft and the 49ers selected him with the third overall pick. He shared playing time during his first two seasons with quarterback Franke Albert and became the 49ers' starter in 1953, which ended up being a Pro Bowl season for Tittle.
Tittle was part of the famous "Million Dollar Backfield," which consisted of himself, fullback Joe Perry, and halfbacks Hugh McElhenny and John Henry Johnson.
"It made quarterbacking so easy because I just get in the huddle and call anything and you have three Hall of Fame running backs ready to carry the ball," said Tittle in 2006.
"The San Francisco 49ers organization and our Faithful fans have lost a dear member of our family," said 49ers CEO Jed York via a statement issued by the team. "Y.A. Tittle will forever hold a special place in not only 49ers history but that of the National Football League. His individual accomplishments speak for themselves, but as a member of the 'Million Dollar Backfield' he was part of one of the most storied offensive attacks the game of football has ever seen. During his 15 years as a player and a coach, Y.A. made many significant contributions to this organization and the Bay Area. Our best wishes are with his family and the many friends and fans he leaves behind."
Over his pro career, Tittle was selected to seven Pro Bowls (1953, 1954, 1957, 1959, 1961-1963) and was a four-time First-team All-Pro (1957, 1961-1963). He led the league in passing touchdowns three times (1955, 1962, 1963). Tittle has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame, and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Over his career, Tittle passed for 28,339 yards with 212 touchdowns and 221 interceptions. Statistically, his best seasons came in 1962 and 1963 with the New York Giants when Tittle threw for over 3,000 yards and 30-or-more touchdowns in each of the two seasons. He was one of two players in NFL history to throw for 500 yards and seven touchdowns in a game (Drew Brees, 2015).