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Top Tight Ends of the 1960's

By George D’Alessandro

We looked at Tight Ends of the 1960’s, the only criteria we set was they had to have played tight end for at least five years during the 1960’s.

Our scoring system algorithm based upon the decade total receptions, decades average per reception, yards total for career, yards per year average touchdowns total for decade touchdown average per bonus points deducted from score number of pro bowls, number of all-pro selections and Hall of Fame member. Decades average is based upon how many season the player participated in during the 60’s

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Honorable mention: Ron Kramer Green Bay Packers, he was part of the Packers teams in 61 and 62 to win the NFL Championships. Marlin McKeever LA Rams, Minnesota Vikings, interesting fact that during his 13 year career McKeever played tight end in between his stints at MLB. Marv Fleming Green Bay Packers, played on the first two Packers Super Bowl wins

Number 10 Billy Truax, Los Angeles Rams played six seasons in the 1960s. Truax scored 60 points in our scoring system. Truax best showing was ninth in total touchdown reception, average receptions in the decade and average touchdowns in the 60’s

Number nine Monty Stickles, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints. With 47 points placed ninth in our list. Monty played seven seasons in the 1960s. Stickles placed sixth in receptions (202), yards (3134) seventh in average receptions in the decade with 28.8 receptions as well as yards (447.1)

Number eight Jim Whalen, Boston Patriots with his 43 points in our algorithm. Whalen made one the AFL All-Pro team once. His top rankings were in sixth with average per season with 30.6 and yards average with 497. All his stats came from the five seasons he played during the 1960s.

Number seven Willie Frazier, Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers. With 40 points in our algorithm garnering seventh place. Frazier played six seasons in the 1960s. Based on our scoring system Frazier scored 40 points. Frazier earned bonus points being selected three times to the pro bowl and once for making the AFL All-Pro team. Fraziers placed sixth with 25 TD’s during the decade and fifth in average TDs with 4.1

Number six Fred Arbanas, Kansas City Chiefs. Fred scored 34 points in our scoring system Arbanas took sixth place in our scoring system with 34 points. Fred was selected to five pro bowls and the All-Pro teams. His 33 TD’s in the decade earned Arbanas 5th place and 4.1 TD’s during the decade. Seventh in yards with 2893 during the decade.

Number five Aaron Thomas New York Giants, (did not catch a pass with the San Francisco 49ers as Tight End) with 23 points. Thomas was the only TE to lead the NFL in receiving yards average during the decade. (23.4 in 1965),.A one time Pro Bowl selection. Thomas earned fifth place in total decade average for receptions and receptions in fourth place in average TD’s in the 60’s, 256 reception and 4562 in yards in total during the 1960s and third with total TDs (36)

Number four Jackie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals. Jackie held the record for most yards receiving by a tight end in a season until Kellen Winslow broke his record 13 years later by 85 yards in a 16 game schedule as opposed to Smith’s 14 game schedule. Smith played seven seasons during the 60’s. Smith earned five pro bowl selections and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jackie placed third in total receptions (309) and yardage (5115) and second in average receptions (44.1) and yards (730.7). Smith earned his fourth place standing with 19 points in our scoring system.

Number three John Mackey, Baltimore Colts. Mackey has a college football player award named after him for the most outstanding Tight End in College Football. Mackey earned third place with 14 points based on our scoring system. Mackey earned fourth place with average 34.4 receptions per decade, and 35 TD’s in the decade, third place 649.7 yards per season, second place with an average of 5.0 TD’s. Mackey earned bonus points with five Pro Bow; selections and three All-Pro selections as well as a Hall of Fame member. Member of the 1968 NFL Champions Baltimore Colts. Mackey was selected as the All Decade tight end.

Number two Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys. First tight end in NFL history to record more than a 1,000 yards in a season. Ditka scored seven points in the scoring method we used. Ditka was a five time Pro-Bowl selection, two time All-Pro and a Hall of Fame member. Fourth place with an average 572.8 yards per decade, he placed third with 41.3 receptions and an average of 4.6 TD’s, Ditka's 5156 yards and 42 touchdowns locked him in second place, he earned first place with 372 receptions. Member of the NFL Championship team in 1963

Number one Pete Retzlaff, Philadelphia Eagles. Placed first place in our scoring with two points, During his seven year tenure during the 1960’s Retzlaff placed in first in decade average with 48.5 receptions, 967.4 yards per season, 6.2 touchdowns and yards during the decade with 6,772 and 44 touchdowns. Retzlaff finished second in the decade with 340 receptions. Retzlaff was selected to four Pro-Bowls and a one time All-Pro selection. My question is why is Pete Retzlaff not a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Based on his numbers he should be in the Hall of Fame.