From Rice University, Tobin Rote was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, but in '50 the Pack was not very good, and wouldn't be for years. The ineptitude of Green Bay was no fault of Rote, who proved to be an excellent QB, but didn't have a lot of teammates around him at his level. He was also a solid rusher, especially early in his career. For those who dismissed Rote, in 1956 on what was still a mediocre Packers team, he would lead the NFL in Passing Yards and Completions and had a then-record 29 Touchdown Passes. Despite that great season, the Packers traded him to Detroit, who began the season sharing Quarterbacking duties with Bobby Layne, but was clearly the main pivot on a team that would win the 1957 NFL Championship Team.
Sadly, Rote and the Lions had a disastrous 1959 season, and as he was to be released, he went north to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, where he did well, but American Football would call again, and he took up with the San Diego Chargers. At age 35, he had the best season of his life, leading the AFL in Passer Rating (86.7) and would take his new team to a championship while winning the AP MVP. He would play another year in San Diego and a final one in Denver in 1966.
It can't be dismissed that Rote's decision to play in Canada hurt his overall chances, but this is one of the most underrated Quarterbacks not only of his day but of all-time.
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