Tobin Cornelius Rote was a football player who played as a quarterback for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers in the National Football League or NFL. Aside from that, Rote also played on the American Football League as a member of the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers. In this article, we are going to know more about the life and career of legendary NFL star Tobin Rote.
College Career
Tobin Rote attended college at Rice Institute in Houston, Texas, where he also played football as a quarterback. During his senior year in 1949, Rote helped lead the Owls in having a 10-1 season where they managed to cap a 27-13 win against North Carolina in the Cotton Bowl. During the fourth game of that season, Rote led the Owls back with a14-0 deficit to a 41-27 victory. Since he was in high school, Tobin Rote showcased his passion and talent in playing football.
Professional Career
During his college career, Rote showed everyone what he’s got. When the 1950 NFL draft happened, Rote was selected by the Green Bay Packers as their 17th overall pick. From then on, Rote spent about seven seasons in Wisconsin and led the Packers’ offense. Aside from Rote’s passing duties, Rote also led the Packers in rushing touchdowns five times and rushing yards three times. On his career with the Green Bay Packers, Tobin Rote managed to rank in third in the NFL, passing touchdowns. Aside from that, he also managed to get into the top spot as the first-ever player in the league ever to rush yards as a quarterback
The 1956 season was the time when Rote’s stats was ranked among the greatest in NFL history. On a 4-8 team, Rote’s stats managed to lead the league in passing touchdowns and passing yards. His record of 100 rushing touchdowns came in second next to those that were done by Rick Casares of the Chicago Bears.
In 1957, Tobin Rote, along with defensive back Val Joe Walker, was traded to the Detroit Lions or four players, namely Norm Masters, Don Mcllhenny, Ollie Spencer, and Jim Salsbury. That same year, Rote added more passing and rushing touchdowns, more rushing yards, less interception, and better won-lost record on his stats. After having a disastrous 1958 season, the Detroit Lions said that they would let go of Tobin Rote. However, instead of retiring, Rote crossed the border and joined the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
Tobin Rote spent three eventful seasons in the Canadian Football League. He managed to complete 662 of 1,187 passes for 62 touchdowns and 9,872 yards. After accomplishing some records such as becoming CFL’s second quarterback ever to exceed 4,000 yards and throwing 38 goals, the Argonauts decided to trade Rote for Jackie Parker. He moved to the AFL.
In 1963, the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League decided to take in Tobin Rote. Even if he is already in his 14th pro season at the age of 35, Rote still managed to lead the Chargers to an 11-3 record and the Western division title. Besides that, Tobin Rote was hailed as the first-team All-AFL for directing the league’s top offense, and he also managed to bag the Associated Press Player of the Year award in 1963. After achieving so much, Tobin Rote announced that he was going to retire in 1964.
Two years later, Rote came out of retirement to play for the Denver Broncos, and he signed in late September after the team lost their third game. After appearing in three games and completing three of eight passes, Rote was waved by the Broncos in mid-October.
On June 27, 2000, Tobin Rote died at the age of 72 from a heart attack.
