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NFL-72 12/20/99
The Gulf War Beanie Babies the Internet.
All are symbolic of life in the 1990s, the last decade of the millennium.
NFL fans will remember the 90s for "Wide right" "The Triplets" 2,000 yards and "This ones for John."
The decade will be remembered by players, coaches and fans for great teams outstanding players and memorable milestones.
The Dallas Cowboys became the first team to win three Super Bowls in four years. The Denver Broncos made a run at a perfect season in 1998 before winning their second consecutive Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins also won Super Bowls (the 49ers also won the 1989 Super Bowl, which was played in January 1990).
DAN MARINO became the all-time passing leader. JERRY RICE became the leagues all-time leading receiver and touchdown scorer. TERRELL DAVIS and BARRY SANDERS each rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single season.
The NFL also experienced an almost annual attendance increase 15 new or renovated stadiums and a popularity growth that confirmed its status as Americas favorite sport.
Following is a look back at the NFL in the 1990s, concentrating on the decades memorable games, great players and off-field achievements (all active statistics are through Sunday of Week 15, 1999).
BEST TEAM RECORDS OF THE 90s
TEAM | RECORD |
PCT. |
TEAM | RECORD |
PCT. |
||
San Francisco | 113-45-0 |
.715 |
Green Bay | 92-65-0 |
.586 |
||
Kansas City | 102-56-0 |
.646 |
Minnesota | 92-65-0 |
.586 |
||
Buffalo | 101-57-0 |
.639 |
Pittsburgh | 92-66-0 |
.582 |
||
Dallas | 100-58-0 |
.633 |
Tennessee | 86-72-0 |
.544 |
||
Jacksonville | 48-30-0 |
.615 |
NY Giants | 83-74-1 |
.528 |
||
Miami | 95-63-0 |
.601 |
Oakland | 81-77-0 |
.513 |
||
Denver | 93-65-0 |
.589 |
Detroit | 79-79-0 |
.500 |
NFL LEADERS IN THE 90s
Category | Player | TOTAL |
Points | Gary Anderson | 1,114 |
Field Goals | Gary Anderson | 251 |
PATs | Gary Anderson | 361 |
Total Touchdowns | Emmitt Smith | 146 |
Rushing Yards | Barry Sanders | 13,799 |
Rushing Touchdowns | Emmitt Smith | 135 |
Passing Yards | Dan Marino | 33,068 |
Passing Touchdowns | Brett Favre | 232 |
Receptions | Jerry Rice | 849 |
Receiving Yards | Jerry Rice | 11,891 |
Receiving Touchdowns | Jerry Rice | 103 |
Gross Punting Average | Darren Bennett | 44.3 |
Net Punting Average | Matt Turk | 38.3 |
Punt Return Yards | Brian Mitchell | 3,462 |
Punt Return Average | Karl Williams | 12.8 |
Punt Return Touchdowns | Eric Metcalf | 9 |
Kick Return Yards | Brian Mitchell | 9,514 |
Kick Return Average | Tremain Mack | 26.7 |
Kick Return Touchdowns | Mel Gray | 5 |
Interceptions | Rod Woodson | 45 |
Sacks | Derrick Thomas | 116.5 |
TEAM OF THE '90s?
Which team will follow in the footsteps of the 1960s Packers, 1970s Steelers and 1980s 49ers as the "Team of the 1990s?"
Many teams can make a case. The Dallas Cowboys have won a league-high three Super Bowls in the '90s. The Buffalo Bills played in four consecutive Super Bowls. The San Francisco 49ers lead the league in regular-season winning percentage (.715). The Denver Broncos won two Super Bowl titles in a row.
Following is a chart of the "contenders" (listed alphabetically) for "Team of the 90s" (* NFL leader):
Regular-Season |
Playoff |
Playoff |
Playoff |
SB |
SB |
||
Team | Record |
App. |
Games |
Record |
App. |
Wins |
Notable |
Buffalo Bills | 101-57, .639 |
7 |
*17 |
10-7, .588 |
*4 |
0 |
Only team in history to play in four Super Bowls in row. |
Dallas Cowboys | 100-58, .633 |
7 |
16 |
*12-4, .750 |
3 |
*3 |
Won league-best three Super Bowls and have leagues best postseason record. |
Denver Broncos | 93-65, .589 |
5 |
11 |
8-3, .727 |
2 |
2 |
Won two consecutive Super Bowls and have leagues second-best postseason record. |
Green Bay Packers | 92-65, .586 |
6 |
14 |
9-5, .643 |
2 |
1 |
Won Super Bowl XXXI. Six playoff appearances in row. |
Kansas City Chiefs | 102-56, .646 |
7 |
10 |
3-7, .300 |
0 |
0 |
Have leagues second-best regular-season record. |
San Francisco 49ers | *113-45, .715 |
*8 |
16 |
9-7, .563 |
1 |
1 |
Won Super Bowl XXIX and have leagues best regular-season record. |
10 MEMORABLE GAMES OF THE 90s
10 MILESTONES OF THE 90s
10 WACKY MOMENTS OF THE 90s
STADIUM BOOM SHAPED DECADE
Two new NFL stadiums arose in the final year of the decade -- ADELPHIA COLISEUM, home of the Tennessee Titans, and CLEVELAND BROWNS STADIUM, home of the Browns. They brought to 15 the total of new or renovated stadiums in the NFL in the 1990s. The 90s lineup of new/renovated NFL stadiums:
1992 New 71,228-seat Georgia Dome opens in Atlanta.
1995 New 73,000-seat ALLTEL Stadium opens in Jacksonville.
New 66,000-seat Trans World Dome opens in St. Louis.
1996 New 72,520-seat Ericsson Stadium opens in Charlotte.
Oakland Coliseum (now called Network Associates Coliseum) renovated; capacity enlarged by 9,000 seats to 63,000.
Renovations on the Louisiana Superdome completed by Super Bowl XXXI.
1997 New 78,600-seat Jack Kent Cooke Stadium (now called FedExField) opens in Raljon, Maryland.
Qualcomm Stadium renovated; seating capacity enlarged to 71,000.
1998 New 68,400-seat PSINet Stadium opens in Baltimore.
New 65,000-seat Raymond James Stadium opens in Tampa Bay.
Renovations of Giants Stadium (N.Y. Giants/Jets) completed.
1999 Renovations of Ralph Wilson Stadium (Buffalo Bills) completed.
Renovations of RCA Dome (Indianapolis Colts) completed.
New 72,000-seat Cleveland Browns Stadium opens.
New 67,000-seat Adelphia Coliseum opens in Nashville.
10 POPULAR TERMS/ DEVELOPMENTS/BUZZWORDS OF THE 90s
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KEY NFL ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 90s
The new millennium has a lot to live up to. If 2000 and beyond are anything like the 1990s, the NFL will continue to grow in numerous areas. A review of NFL developments in the 90s:
Rules Changes | Rules changes increased offensive production, ensured balance between offense and defense, sped up the pace of the game, and promoted player safety. |
Competitive Balance | Six different teams have won the Super Bowl in the 90s. |
Attendance | Top five paid attendance totals for all games in a season were reached in the 90s, including the three highest totals ever in three of the past four seasons: 1998 (19,741,493); 1995 (19,202,757); and 1997 (19,049,886). This season is on pace to set the all-time record. |
Fan Popularity | The NFL consistently ranked as Americas favorite sport in every fan survey. |
Labor | Only major sports league with no strikes/lockouts in 90s; twice extended 1993 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players Association to ensure labor peace through at least 2003. Included in the agreement is a $100 million fund for the development of youth football. |
Expansion | Added four teams in first NFL expansion since 1976. Franchises successfully launched in fast-developing southeast region of the Carolinas (Carolina Panthers, 1995) and northern Florida (Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995). NFL returned to Cleveland this season with debut of expansion Cleveland Browns. The league will return to Houston, Texas in 2002. |
Television | Record television agreements, largest in entertainment history, including addition of FOX to the NFL lineup and expanded NFL coverage on all networks. NFL is only professional sports league to televise all regular-season and postseason games on free, over-the-air television. |
Stadiums | Nine new stadiums opened in 90s: Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Jacksonville, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington and in Cleveland and Nashville this year. |
Player Programs | Comprehensive initiative to help players in all areas of development, from the NFL Rookie Symposium that introduces players to the NFL, to financial management, family assistance, continuing education, and post-career planning. |
Substance Abuse | Establishment of year-round random steroid testing and an expanded drug program (1994), the strongest and most comprehensive in sports. |
Youth Football | Expanded investment in the game at all levels. Includes NFL Punt, Pass & Kick; NFL Flag; and C.I.T.Y. Football programs; high school football recognition programs; and new $100 million youth football fund created as part of CBA extension. |
International | NFL International created to coordinate worldwide NFL activities. The NFL Europe League was launched as a joint venture with FOX and became an all-European league in 1995. |
Note: | The 10th anniversary of the election of Paul Tagliabue as the NFL's seventh commissioner took place on October 26, 1999. Tagliabue took office as Pete Rozelle's successor on November 5, 1989. |
RECORD HOLDERS TO BEGIN EACH DECADE
For years, Miami Dolphins quarterback DAN MARINO and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver JERRY RICE have been all-time record holders at their respective positions. But it was not always that way.
Following is a chart of career leaders in major statistical categories at the beginning of each decade:
CATEGORY | 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 |
RUSHING YARDS | Cliff Battles (3,511) | Steve Van Buren (4,904) | Joe Perry (7,151) | Jim Brown (12,312) |
RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS | Ernie Nevers (38) | Steve Van Buren (59) | Steve Van Buren (69) | Jim Brown (106) |
PASSING YARDS | Arnold Herber (6,189) | Sammy Baugh (19,699) | Sammy Baugh (22,085) | Johnny Unitas (35,502) |
PASSING TOUCHDOWNS | Bennie Friedman (66) | Sammy Baugh (168) | Sammy Baugh (187) | Johnny Unitas (266) |
RECEPTIONS | Don Hutson (159) | Don Hutson (489) | Don Hutson (489) | Raymond Berry (631) |
RECEIVING YARDS | Don Hutson (2,902) | Don Hutson (8,010) | Don Hutson (8,010) | Don Maynard (10,373) |
RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS | Johnny McNally (37) | Don Hutson (99) | Don Hutson (99) | Don Hutson (99) |
POINTS SCORED | Paddy Driscoll (402) | Don Hutson (825) | Don Hutson (825) | George Blanda (1,477) |
TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS | Vern Lewellen (51) | Don Hutson (105) | Don Hutson (105) | Jim Brown (126) |
FIELD GOALS | Paddy Driscoll (51) | Paddy Driscoll (51) | Lou Groza (131) | George Blanda (240) |
INTERCEPTIONS | -- | Irv Comp (34) | Emlen Tunnell (74) | Emlen Tunnell (79) |
SACKS | -- | -- | -- | -- |
CATEGORY | 1980 | 1990 | 1999* |
RUSHING YARDS | Jim Brown (12,312) | Walter Payton (16,726) | Walter Payton (16,726) |
RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS | Jim Brown (106) | Walter Payton (110) | Emmitt Smith (135) |
PASSING YARDS | Fran Tarkenton (47,003) | Fran Tarkenton (47,003) | Dan Marino (60,492) |
PASSING TOUCHDOWNS | Fran Tarkenton (342) | Fran Tarkenton (342) | Dan Marino (417) |
RECEPTIONS | Charley Taylor (649) | Steve Largent (819) | Jerry Rice (1,191) |
RECEIVING YARDS | Don Maynard (11,834) | Steve Largent (13,089) | Jerry Rice (18,182) |
RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS | Don Hutson (99) | Steve Largent (100) | Jerry Rice (168) |
POINTS SCORED | George Blanda (2,002) | George Blanda (2,002) | George Blanda (2,002) |
TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS | Jim Brown (126) | Jim Brown (126) | Jerry Rice (179) |
FIELD GOALS | George Blanda (335) | Jan Stenerud (373) | Gary Anderson (437) |
INTERCEPTIONS | Paul Krause (81) | Paul Krause (81) | Paul Krause (81) |
SACKS | -- | Lawrence Taylor (104.0) | Reggie White (192.5) |
*As of December 19, 1999.
NOTE: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the official statisticians of the National Football League, accurate record-keeping did not begin until the 1932 season.
IMPORTANT RULES CHANGES IN THE 90sIn the 1990s, there were important rules changes, including the addition of the two-point conversion and the return of instant replay.
As the NFL game has become faster and more complex, and the players stronger, the playing rules have been changed to complement the action on the field. New rules have sped up the pace of the game, increased offensive production, ensured balance between offense and defense, and increased player safety. Following are important rules changes of the 1990s:
19901991
1993
1994
1999