1961 American Football League All-League Players

Sporting News American Football League All-League Team - 1961

The 1961 American Football League All-League Team

American Football League All-League Teams

The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...

was selected by AFL players and published by the Sporting News. The 1961 All-League players were augmented by other All-Stars to form two squads, Eastern and Western, to play in the first All-Star Game after the 1961 season. The Sporting News' offensive and defensive teams are shown below, followed by names of players on the squads of the Eastern and Western All-Star Team for 1961.

Offense

Player	\|Position	Charlie Hennigan Charlie Hennigan Charles Taylor Hennigan, Sr., known as Charlie Hennigan , is a retired American football player with the former Houston Oilers who resides in Shreveport, Louisiana. Born in Bienville in Bienville Parish in north Louisiana, Hennigan grew up in nearby Minden, the seat of Webster Parish, located...	Houston Oilers	End End (football) An end in American football is a player who lines up at either end of the line of scrimmage. Rules state that a legal offensive formation must always consist of seven players on the line of scrimmage. An end who lines up close to the offensive line is known as a tight end, while one who lines up...	Eastern
Lionel Taylor Lionel Taylor Lionel Thomas Taylor is a former American football wide receiver who led the American Football League in receptions each year for the first six years of the league's existence.-College football:...	Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	End End (football) An end in American football is a player who lines up at either end of the line of scrimmage. Rules state that a legal offensive formation must always consist of seven players on the line of scrimmage. An end who lines up close to the offensive line is known as a tight end, while one who lines up...	Western
Ron Mix Ron Mix Ronald Jack Mix , in Los Angeles, California was an American football player.Mix attended USC, and upon graduation played right tackle and guard for the American Football League's Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers and the NFL Oakland Raiders .- College career :A graduate of the University of Southern...	San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Tackle	Western
Al Jamison Al Jamison Alfred Jamison was a college and professional offensive lineman in the 1960s. He played offensive tackle for the American Football League's Houston Oilers...	Houston Oilers	Tackle	Eastern
Bob Mischak Bob Mischak Robert Michael "Bob" Mischak is a former college and professional American football guard who played six seasons in the American Football League from 1960-1965. He was selected by his peers as a Sporting News AFL All-League guard in 1960 and 1961. He was an AFL Eastern Division All-Star in 1962...	New York Titans New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Guard Guard (American football) In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....	Eastern
Charley Leo Chuck Leo Charles "Chuck" Leo was an American football offensive lineman who played for the American Football League's Boston Patriots from 1960 to 1962, and the AFL's Buffalo Bills in 1963...	Boston Patriots	Guard Guard (American football) In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....	Eastern
Jim Otto Jim Otto James Edwin Otto is a former Professional Football center for the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League.-Wausau High School and University of Miami:...	Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Center Center (American football) Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...	Western
George Blanda George Blanda George Frederick Blanda was a collegiate and professional football quarterback and placekicker...	Houston Oilers	Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...	Eastern
Abner Haynes Abner Haynes Abner Haynes is a former college and professional football player in the United States.Haynes is a graduate of North Texas State University where he and his then teammate Leon King integrated college football in the state of Texas in 1956...	Dallas Texans History of the Kansas City Chiefs The following is a detailed history of the Kansas City Chiefs, a professional American football franchise that began play in 1960 as the Dallas Texans...	Halfback Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...	Western
Billy Cannon Billy Cannon William Abb "Billy" Cannon is an All-American, 1959 Heisman Trophy winner and 2008 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and one of the American Football League's most celebrated players.He was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and moved...	Houston Oilers	Halfback Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...	Eastern
Bill Mathis Bill Mathis Bill Mathis was an American college and professional football player. A halfback, he is in the Clemson University Hall of Fame, South Carolina Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Hall of Fame...	New York Titans New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Fullback Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...	Eastern

Defense

Player	\|Position	Earl Faison Earl Faison Earl Faison was an American college and Professional Football player who played in the American Football League between 1960 and 1966...	San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	End End (football) An end in American football is a player who lines up at either end of the line of scrimmage. Rules state that a legal offensive formation must always consist of seven players on the line of scrimmage. An end who lines up close to the offensive line is known as a tight end, while one who lines up...	Western
Don Floyd Don Floyd Donald Wayne Floyd was a professional American football defensive end who played in the American Football League . Born in Abilene, Texas, He played his high school football in Midlothian, Texas, for the Midlothian Panthers. Midlothian named a stadium in his honor, but built a new one...	Houston Oilers	End End (football) An end in American football is a player who lines up at either end of the line of scrimmage. Rules state that a legal offensive formation must always consist of seven players on the line of scrimmage. An end who lines up close to the offensive line is known as a tight end, while one who lines up...	Eastern
Bud McFadin Bud McFadin Lewis Pate "Bud" McFadin was an American college and professional football player. He played college football at the University of Texas, and played professionally for the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams, and in the American Football League for the Denver Broncos from 1960 through...	Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Tackle	Western
Chuck McMurtry Chuck McMurtry Charles McMurtry was an American football player. A defensive tackle, he played professionally in the American Football League for the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders. McMurtry played college football at Whittier College. He died in February 1984-External links:*...	Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Tackle	Eastern
Sherrill Headrick Sherrill Headrick Sherrill Headrick was an American college and Professional Football player from Texas Christian University.In 1960, Headrick came to the American Football League's Dallas Texans as an undrafted linebacker...	Dallas Texans History of the Kansas City Chiefs The following is a detailed history of the Kansas City Chiefs, a professional American football franchise that began play in 1960 as the Dallas Texans...	Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...	Western
Archie Matsos Archie Matsos -Professional career:Matsos played for seven seasons in the American Football League for four different teams. He was on the Sporting News All-AFL team in 1960 and 1963, and an AFL Eastern Division All-Star in 1961 and 1962 .-High School and college career:...	Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...	Eastern
Chuck Allen Chuck Allen Charles Richard Allen is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He was a linebacker who played for the American Football League's San Diego Chargers, and the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers, and Philadelphia Eagles...	San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...	Western
Tony Banfield Tony Banfield Tony Banfield was an American college and Professional Football player, an original Houston Oiler. A defensive back, he played college football at Oklahoma State University, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Oilers from 1960 through 1963, and in 1965...	Houston Oilers	Back Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...	Eastern
Dick Harris Dick Harris (football player) Dick Harris is a former American football defensive back who played six seasons in the American Football League with the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers from 1960 to 1965. He was selected to the 1960 and 1961 AFL All-League teams. Harris had a total of 25 intereptions in the Chargers' first four...	San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Back Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...	Western
Dave Webster Dave Webster David A. Webster, Jr. in Atlanta, Texas, is a former professional American football cornerback who played two seasons for that American Football League's Dallas Texans, 1960-1961. He was an All-AFL selection in 1961.-Early years:...	Dallas Texans History of the Kansas City Chiefs The following is a detailed history of the Kansas City Chiefs, a professional American football franchise that began play in 1960 as the Dallas Texans...	Back Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...	Western
Charley McNeil Charlie McNeil Charles Edis McNeil was a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He was a defensive back who played for the American Football League's Los Angeles and San Diego Chargers...	San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	Back Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...	Western

Offense

Gino Cappelletti
Gino Cappelletti
Gino Cappelletti is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He played at the University of Minnesota, and was a star in the American Football League for the Boston Patriots...

, E, PK, Patriots
Al Dorow
Al Dorow
Albert Richard "Al" Dorow was an American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback. He played collegiately for Michigan State and professionally in the National Football League and the American Football League....

, QB, Titans
Billy Cannon
Billy Cannon
William Abb "Billy" Cannon is an All-American, 1959 Heisman Trophy winner and 2008 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and one of the American Football League's most celebrated players.He was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and moved...

, HB, Oilers
Larry Garron
Larry Garron
Larry Garron is an American former collegiate and Professional Football player. A fullback, he played college football at Western Illinois University, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Boston Patriots from 1960 through 1968. He holds the team record run of 85 yards...

, FB, Patriots
Charlie Tolar
Charlie Tolar
Charlie Tolar was an early American Football League star.Tolar attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana...

, RB, Oilers
Bob McLeod, TE, Oilers

Defense

Jim Lee Hunt
Jim Lee Hunt
Jim Lee "Earthquake" Hunt was an American college and professional football player from Prairie View A&M University who played defensive tackle for the American Football League's Boston Patriots from 1960 through 1969, and for the NFL' Boston Patriots in 1970. He was a four-time AFL All-Star, and...

, T, Patriots
Tom Addison
Tom Addison
Tom Addison was a professional American football linebacker and sports labor leader, and is a member of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame.- Playing career :...

, LB, Patriots
Bill Atkins
Bill Atkins
William Ellis Atkins was an American football defensive back and punter from Auburn University who played for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League, and in the American Football League for the Buffalo Bills, the New York Titans/Jets, and the Denver Broncos...

, B, Bills
Fred Bruney
Fred Bruney
Fred K. Bruney is a former college and professional American football defensive back.Bruney played halfback on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for the Ohio State University Buckeyes from 1950 to 1952. He scored six touchdowns for the Buckeyes in the 1952 season, but he was...

, B, Patriots

Offense

Chris Burford
Chris Burford
Christopher William Burford, III is a former American football wide receiver. Burford was a master of sideline receptions for the Dallas Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs. What he lacked in great speed or physical presence, he made up for by running perfectly choreographed pass routes that...

, E, Texans
Cotton Davidson
Cotton Davidson
Francis Marion Davidson , known by his nickname "Cotton" Davidson, was an American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback...

, QB, Texans
Jack Kemp
Jack Kemp
Jack French Kemp was an American politician and a collegiate and professional football player. A Republican, he served as Housing Secretary in the administration of President George H. W. Bush from 1989 to 1993, having previously served nine terms as a congressman for Western New York's 31st...

, QB, Chargers

Sporting News American Football League All-League Team - 1961

Offense

Defense

Offense

Defense

Offense

See also