Who was the smallest NFL quarterback?
When it comes to the NFL, size does matter. However, some of the most successful quarterbacks in the league's history have been on the smaller side. In this article, we will dive into the history of the NFL to answer the question: Who was the smallest NFL quarterback?
One of the most recent quarterbacks to make waves in the league is Bryce Young. In 2023, he was drafted as the number one overall pick by the Carolina Panthers. However, at a height of only 5'11", he is considered small for an NFL quarterback. Despite this, he has already proven himself as a talented player and could go on to have a successful career.
Looking back through history, there have been several smaller quarterbacks who have made their mark on the NFL. According to an article by Bleacher Report, the author ranked the top 100 quarterbacks in NFL history based on his own criteria. He valued clutch plays and championships the most when considering a player's resume. The first few quarterbacks on the list included Aaron Brooks, Babe Parilli, Don Meredith, Chad Pennington, and Jeff Hostetler, all of whom were under 6'0" tall.
However, the smallest quarterback to ever play in the NFL was Eddie LeBaron. LeBaron played for the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys in the 1950s and 60s. He was only 5'7" tall and weighed 160 pounds. Despite his small stature, he was a successful quarterback and even made it to the Pro Bowl three times.
Another smaller quarterback who made waves in the NFL was Doug Flutie. He played for several teams throughout his career, including the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, and New England Patriots. Flutie was only 5'10" tall, but he had an impressive career with over 14,000 passing yards and 86 touchdowns.
Aside from LeBaron and Flutie, there have been several other successful smaller quarterbacks in the NFL. Ken Anderson, who played for Augustana College, was only 6'2" tall, but he had a successful career with over 32,000 passing yards and 197 touchdowns. Similarly, Terry Bradshaw, who played for Louisiana Tech, was only 6'3" tall, but he won four Super Bowls during his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Despite the success of these smaller quarterbacks, it is still rare to see a quarterback under 6'0" tall in the NFL. This is because taller quarterbacks are often seen as having an advantage due to their ability to see over the offensive line and make longer throws. However, as we have seen, size isn't everything when it comes to being a successful quarterback in the NFL.
While there have been several successful smaller quarterbacks in the NFL, the smallest quarterback to ever play in the league was Eddie LeBaron. At only 5'7" tall and 160 pounds, he was able to make a name for himself in the NFL and even made it to the Pro Bowl three times. While size may give some quarterbacks an advantage, it is clear that it is not a determining factor in a player's success in the NFL.
ncG1vNJzZmiekaOus6%2FHZ5qopV%2BXubCz0midmqZdlr%2BktI6wn6hlp5bAbsDHnmSspZGhuaa%2F02aln6RdpsKivtOeqZuZk6A%3D