One of the greatest opening day performances came in 1951 when Hall of Fame quarterback Norm Van Brocklin of the Los Angeles Rams threw for a record 554 yards.
The mark still stands as the greatest single passing effort in National Football League history.
Van Brocklin received the start that day when veteran Bob Waterfield, also a member of the Hall, was injured. The two quarterbacks were entrenched in a fierce battle for the starting role.
The "Dutchman," as Van Brocklin was nicknamed, made the most of his opportunity. He completed 27 of 41 passes and tossed five touchdowns - four of which went to fellow Hall of Famer Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch - en route to a easy 54-14 win over the New York Yanks.
| Receiving statistics from Norm Van Brocklin’s record-setting 554 yards vs. the New York Yanks on September 28, 1951 |
||
| Player |
Receptions
|
Yards
|
| Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch |
9
|
173
|
| Tom Fears |
7
|
162
|
| V.T. Smith |
2
|
103
|
| Tom "Cricket" Kalmanir |
2
|
40
|
| Dan Towler |
2
|
30
|
| Jerry Williams |
2
|
22
|
| Tom Keane |
2
|
10
|
| Bob Boyd |
1
|
14
|