Question
Twenty five years ago, the league created the rule requiring quarterbacks to wear numbers from 1 to 19, while allowing veterans to stick with their existing numbers. Which quarterback was the last to wear a number outside the 1-19 range? He threw 20-plus touchdowns seven times during a 16-year career that ended in 1977.
Answer
John Hadl. He spent most of his career with the Chargers, starting in an AFL championship game, and in 1973 helped the Rams win the NFC West. Finishing his career with the Oilers, his next-to-last touchdown was thrown to another player playing in a grandfathered jersey number: Ken Burrough (who wore 00). Playing offense and defense, returning kicks and leading the nation in punting, Hadl was honored by the University of Kansas as its Player of the Century. His No. 21 is retired there.