Detroit Lions: Tobin Rote takes over for Bobby Layne
Bobby Layne was one of the superstars of his era in the 1950s. He’d already led them to two NFL championships and was on course for another in 1957. Then in the 11th game of the year, he got caught in a pileup and broke his leg. In relief, his backup Tobin Rote threw five touchdowns to just one interception in the playoffs to secure a championship victory over the mighty Cleveland Browns.
That along with some strong relief performances earlier that year convinced the Lions it was time for a change. Layne had been great but his ongoing party boy lifestyle off the field finally wore them out. He was traded a couple games into the 1958 season to the Pittsburgh Steelers. On his way out, he declared the Lions would not win another championship for 50 years.
They still haven’t. Rote played just two more seasons for them before heading off to San Diego where he led them to an AFL championship in 1963.