4) Y.A. Tittle
Years: 1961-1964
Legacy: NFL MVP (1963); Pro Football HOF
When Y.A. Tittle was traded to the NY Giants, he was considered to be in the twilight of his career – Lou Cordileone, who the team traded fo the quarterback, even remarked, “Me, even up for Y.A. Tittle? You’re kidding.”
Nobody took Tittle as a threat in New York – but what followed was one of the most remarkably unexpected runs in league history,
After taking over from Charlie Conerly as the team’s primary quarterback, he led the Giants all the way to the NFL Championship Game . Even though they lost to the Green Bay Packers, the run was remarkable.
Over the next two seasons, Tittle would shatter league passing records. He set the single-season passing touchdown record in 1962, and then broke his own record in 1963 – his spectacular play earned him the league’s MVP that year.
While he never won a championship for the franchise, he brought them to three consecutive NFL Championships. As one of the most impactful players in team history, he was part of the initial group inducted into the NY Giants’ Ring of Honor.