Back To America
Looking for a quarterback to lead the team while a young John Hadl developed, the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League came calling. Rote was 35 years old at the time, but led the Chargers to an 11–3 record. For his part in directing the league's top offense, Rote was named first-team All-AFL and captured the Associated Press Player of the Year award. Proving that his 1957 performance was no fluke, he led the Chargers to a 51–10 win over the Boston Patriots in the championship game. Individually, he accounted for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10/15 passing, plus another 15 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
In 1964, Hadl began receiving more playing time. The Chargers went from 11–3 to 8–5–1 and the offense fell from 1st in the AFL to 4th. Rote was the starter for the 1964 AFL Championship game against the Buffalo Bills, but neither he nor Hadl could do much against the swarming defense. Buffalo won 20–7, and Rote announced his retirement.
Read more about this topic: Tobin Rote
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