gold star for USAHOF

11. John Hadl

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11. John Hadl

After signing with the San Diego Chargers in 1962 (instead of the Detroit Lions of the NFL), John Hadl shared Quarterback duties with Tobin Rote, where he backed him up as the Chargers won the 1963 AFL Championship.

The former Kansas Jayhawk became the primary pivot for the Chargers in 1964, and he proceeded to be an AFL All-Star that season, and in 1965, where he led the AFL in Passing Yards (2,798).  Hadl eclipsed that mark in 1966 (2,846), did better again in 1967 (3,365) and was again first in 1968 (3,473), and for the first time, he was first in Touchdown Passes (27), though he also topped the leaderboard in Interceptions (31).

Hadl had another strong season in 1971, where he once again led the league in Passing Yards (3,075) and Passing Touchdowns (21), and in 1972, his last year with the Chargers, he was a Pro Bowler.

Hadl was traded to the Los Angeles Rams after that year, and as a Charger, he threw for 26,938 Yards and 201 Touchdowns against 211 Interceptions.  In 1983, Hadl was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame. 

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Punter, Quarterback
  • Acquired: Selected in the 3rd Round, 24th Overall in the AFL Draft 12/2/61.
  • Departed:

    Traded to the Los Angeles Rams for Coy Bacon and Bob Thomas before the 1973 Season.

  • Games Played: 154
  • Notable Statistics:

    122 Games Started
    1,823 Pass Completions
    3,640 Pass Attempts
    50.1 Pass Completion Percentage
    26,938 Passing Yards
    201 Touchdown Passes
    211 Interceptions
    68.9 Passer Rating
    288 Rushing Attempts
    1,013 Rushing Yards
    15 Rushing Touchdowns
    3 Receptions
    -9 Receiving Yards
    105 Punts
    4,166 Punting Yards
    118 Approximate Value

    3 Playoff Games
    21 Pass Completions
    44 Pass Attempts
    47.7 Pass Completion Percentage
    303 Passing Yards
    1 Touchdown Pass
    3 Interceptions
    49.7 Passer Rating
    10 Rushing Attempts
    38 Rushing Yards
    1 Rushing Touchdown
    10 Punts
    439 Punting Yards

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    AFL Champion (1963)
    UPI MVP (1973)
    The Sporting News Player of the Year (1973)
    Second Team All-Pro (1965)
    AFL All-Star (1964, 1965, 1968 & 1969)
    Pro Bowl (1972)
    Walter Payton Man of the Year (1971)
    Most Pass Completions (1968 & 1971)
    Most Pass Attempts (1968 & 1971)
    Most Passing Yards (1965, 1968 & 1971)
    Most Passing Touchdowns (1968 & 1971)
    Most Passing Yards per Game (1965 & 1971)
    Most Yards per Pass Attempt (1965)
    Most Yards per Pass Completion (1965 & 1967)
    Most Pass Attempts per Game (1971)

Last modified on Monday, 19 September 2022 22:08

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