The

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. newspa ...

(AP),

United Press International United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the 20th ...

(UPI), ''Pro Football Illustrated'' (PFI),(based on a poll of "sportswriters and radio-TV broadcasters who were assigned to covering one of the 14 league teams or assigned to a different NFL game each week") ''

New York Daily News The New York ''Daily News'', officially titled the ''Daily News'', is an American newspaper based in Jersey City, NJ. It was founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson as the ''Illustrated Daily News''. It was the first U.S. daily printed in ta ...

'' (NYDN),

Newspaper Enterprise Association The Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) is an editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States and established in 1902. The oldest syndicate still in operation, the NEA was originally a secondary news ...

(NEA), and ''

Sporting News The ''Sporting News'' is a website and former magazine publication owned by Sporting News Holdings, which is a U.S.-based sports media company formed in December 2020 by a private investor consortium. It was originally established in 1886 as a pr ...

'' (SN) were among selectors of

All-Pro All-Pro is an honor bestowed upon professional American football players that designates the best player at each position during a given season. All-Pro players are typically selected by press organizations, who select an "All-Pro team," a list th ...

s for the

1961 National Football League season The 1961 NFL season was the 42nd regular season of the National Football League (NFL). The league expanded to 14 teams with the addition of the Minnesota Vikings, after the team's owners declined to be charter members of the new American Footb ...

Offensive selections

Quarterbacks

Sonny Jurgensen Christian Adolph "Sonny" Jurgensen III (born August 23, 1934) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. He was inducted int ...

, Philadelphia Eagles (AP, PFI, UPI) *

Y. A. Tittle Yelberton Abraham Tittle Jr. (October 24, 1926 – October 8, 2017) was a professional American football quarterback. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, and Baltimore Colts, after spe ...

, New York Giants (UPI, NYDN-2) *

Bart Starr Bryan Bartlett Starr (January 9, 1934 – May 26, 2019) was an American professional football quarterback and head coach for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Alab ...

, Green Bay Packers (NEA-2, NYDN-2)

Halfbacks

Paul Hornung Paul Vernon Hornung (December 23, 1935 – November 13, 2020), nicknamed "the Golden Boy", was an American professional football player who was a Hall of Fame running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) from 195 ...

, Green Bay Packers (PFI)

Fullbacks

Jim Brown James Nathaniel Brown (born February 17, 1936) is a former American football player, sports analyst and actor. He played as a fullback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) from 1957 through 1965. Considered to be one ...

, Cleveland Browns (AP, NEA, NYDN, UPI) * Jim Taylor, Green Bay Packers (NEA, PFI, NYDN-2, UPI-2)

Flankers

Lenny Moore Leonard Edward Moore (born November 25, 1933) is an American former professional football player who played both halfback and flanker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts from 1956 to 1967. He played college football f ...

, Baltimore Colts (AP, NEA, NYDN, PFI, UPI) * Tommy McDonald, Philadelphia Eagles (NEA-2, NYDN-2, UPI-2)

Ends

Del Shofner Delbert Martin Shofner (December 11, 1934 – March 11, 2020) was an American football wide receiver who played for eleven seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants from 1957 to 1967 in the National Football League (NFL). Early ...

, New York Giants (AP, NEA, NYDN, PFI, UPI) * Red Phillips, Los Angeles Rams (AP, NYDN, UPI, NEA-2) *

Mike Ditka Michael Keller Ditka (born Michael Dyczko; October 18, 1939) is an American former football player, coach, and television commentator. A member of both the College (1986) and the Pro (1988) Football Halls of Fame, he was UPI NFL Rookie of Year i ...

, Chicago Bears (NEA, NYDN-2, UPI-2) *

Buddy Dial Gilbert Leroy "Buddy" Dial (January 17, 1937 – February 29, 2008) was an American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Rice University. Early yea ...

, Pittsburgh Steelers (NYDN-2) *

Ron Kramer Ronald John Kramer (June 24, 1935 – September 11, 2010) was a multi-sport college athlete and professional American football player. Kramer attended the University of Michigan from 1953 to 1957, winning a total of nine varsity letters in fo ...

, Green Bay Packers (PFI)

Tackles

* Jim Parker, Baltimore Colts (AP, NEA, NYDN, UPI-2) *

Rosey Brown Roosevelt "Rosey" Brown Jr. (October 20, 1932 – June 9, 2004) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants from 1953 to 1965. He previously played coll ...

, New York Giants (AP, NEA, NYDN, PFI, UPI) *

Forrest Gregg Alvis Forrest Gregg (October 18, 1933 – April 12, 2019) was an American professional American football, football player and coach. A Pro Football Hall of Fame Tackle (gridiron football position), offensive tackle for 16 seasons in the Nationa ...

, Green Bay Packers (PFI, UPI, NYDN-2) * Mike McCormack, Cleveland Browns (NEA-2, NYDN-2, UPI-2) *

Bob St. Clair Robert Bruce St. Clair (February 18, 1931 – April 20, 2015) was a professional American football player. Because of his eccentricities, his teammates nicknamed him "The Geek".Graham Kislingbury"Bob St. Clair: The King of Kezar" ''Corvallis Gaz ...

, San Francisco 49ers (NEA-2)

Guards

Fred Thurston Frederick Charles "Fuzzy" Thurston (December 29, 1933 – December 14, 2014) was an American football player who played offensive guard for the Baltimore Colts and the Green Bay Packers. Early years Born and raised in the small western Wiscon ...

, Green Bay Packers (AP, NEA, NYDN, PFI, UPI) *

Jim Ray Smith James Ray Smith (born February 27, 1932) is a former American football offensive guard who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Baylor University. Early ye ...

, Cleveland Browns (AP, NEA, NYDN, PFI, UPI) *

Bruce Bosley Bruce Lee Bosley (November 5, 1933 – April 26, 1995) was a former American football Guard and Center who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in a fourteen-year career in which he was selected to appear in 4 Pro Bowls (1 ...

, San Francisco 49ers (NEA-2) *

John Nisby John Edward Nisby (September 9, 1936 – February 6, 2011) was an American football guard in the National Football League. He played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins, and was one of the first African American pla ...

, Pittsburgh Steelers (NEA-2) *

Jack Stroud Jack Chester Stroud (January 29, 1928 – June 1, 1994) was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Tennessee and was drafted in the fi ...

, New York Giants (NYDN-2, UPI-2) *

Jerry Kramer Gerald Louis Kramer (born January 23, 1936) is a former professional American football player, author and sports commentator, best remembered for his 11-year National Football League (NFL) career with the Green Bay Packers as an offensive linema ...

, Green Bay Packers (NYDN-2) * Stan Jones, Chicago Bears (UPI-2)

Centers

Jim Ringo James Stephen Ringo (November 21, 1931 – November 19, 2007) was a professional American football player, a Hall of Fame center, and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He was a 10-time Pro Bowler during his 15-year Early years Born in ...

, Green Bay Packers (AP, NEA, NYDN, PFI, UPI) * Ray Wietecha, New York Giants (NEA-2, NYDN-2) *

Chuck Bednarik Charles Philip Bednarik (May 1, 1925 – March 21, 2015), nicknamed "Concrete Charlie", was an American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). He has been ranked one of the hardest hitting tacklers in NFL history an ...

, Philadelphia Eagles (UPI-2)

Defensive selections

Defensive ends

Gino Marchetti Gino John Marchetti (January 2, 1926 – April 29, 2019) was an American professional American football, football player who was a defensive end and Tackle (gridiron football position), offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) ...

, Baltimore Colts (AP, NEA, NYDN, PFI, UPI) *

Jim Katcavage James Richard Katcavage (October 28, 1934 – February 22, 1995) was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) who played thirteen seasons for the New York Giants. From 1952 until 1956, Katcavage played c ...

, New York Giants (AP, NYDN, PFI, UPI, NEA-2) *

Doug Atkins Douglas Leon Atkins (May 8, 1930 – December 30, 2015) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL). He played colleg ...

, Chicago Bears (NEA, NYDN-2) *

Andy Robustelli Andrew Richard Robustelli (December 6, 1925 – May 31, 2011) was an American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. He played college football at Arnold College and was d ...

, New York Giants (NEA-2, NYDN-2, UPI-2) *

Leo Sugar Leo Tateusz Sugar (April 6, 1929 – September 23, 2020) was an American professional American football, football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Cardinals (NFL, 1920–59), Chicago/St. Louis C ...

, Philadelphia Eagles (UPI-2)

Defensive tackles

Henry Jordan Henry Wendell Jordan (January 26, 1935 – February 21, 1977) was an American football defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers during his 13-year National Football League (NFL) career. He played in the NFL from 1957 to 1 ...

, Green Bay Packers (AP, NEA, NYDN, PFI, UPI) *

Alex Karras Alexander George Karras (July 15, 1935 – October 10, 2012) was an American football player, professional wrestler, sportscaster, and actor. He was a four-time Pro Bowl player with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), ...

, Detroit Lions (AP, PFI, UPI, NYDN-2) * Roger Brown, Detroit Lions (NEA-2, UPI-2) *

Rosey Grier Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier (born July 14, 1932) is an American actor, singer, Protestant minister, and former professional football player. He was a notable college football player for Pennsylvania State University who earned a retrospective plac ...

, New York Giants (NYDN-2) *

Leo Nomellini Leo Joseph Nomellini (June 19, 1924 – October 17, 2000) was an Italian-American Hall of Fame American football offensive and defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers and professional wrestler. He played college football for Minnesota and wa ...

, San Francisco 49ers (NEA-2) *

Bob Gain Robert Gain (June 21, 1929 – November 14, 2016) was an American football player who played 13 seasons for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL), and also played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played in five Pro Bo ...

, Cleveland Browns (UPI-2)

Linebackers

* Bill George, Chicago Bears (AP, NEA, PFI, UPI-2) *

Bill Forester George William Forester (August 9, 1932 – April 27, 2007) was a professional American football linebacker in the National Football League. He played 11 seasons for the Green Bay Packers ( 1953– 1963) and was selected to four Pro Bowls. He wa ...

, Green Bay Packers (AP, NYDN, PFI, UPI, NEA-2) * Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions (AP, NEA, NYDN, UPI) *

Dan Currie Daniel George Currie (June 27, 1935 – September 11, 2017) was an American football player in the National Football League (NFL). He played linebacker for nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams. Early years Born and raise ...

, Green Bay Packers (NEA, PFI, UPI) *

Maxie Baughan Maxie Callaway Baughan Jr. (born August 3, 1938) is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and the Washington Redskins. Baughan played college footbal ...

, Philadelphia Eagles (NYDN, UPI-2) *

Sam Huff Robert Lee "Sam" Huff (October 4, 1934 – November 13, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. He played college foot ...

, New York Giants (NEA-2, NYDN-2) *

John Reger John George Reger (September 11, 1931 – September 19, 2013) was a National Football League linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Washington Redskins, and participated in three Pro Bowls during his 12-year career. Reger played college ...

, Pittsburgh Steelers (NEA-2, NYDN-2) *

Cliff Livingston Clifford Lyman Livingston (July 2, 1930 – March 13, 2010) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams. He w ...

, New York Giants (NYDN-2, UPI-2)

Defensive backs

Jimmy Patton James Russell Patton (born September 29, 1933 – December 22, 1972) was an American football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time first-team All-P ...

, New York Giants (AP, NEA, NYDN, PFI, UPI) *

Erich Barnes Erich Theodore Barnes ( ; July 4, 1935 – April 29, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers (1956–1958), wh ...

, New York Giants (AP, NYDN, UPI) *

Jesse Whittenton Urshell James "Jesse" Whittenton (May 9, 1934 – May 21, 2012) was an American football American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of ...

, Green Bay Packers (AP, PFI, UPI, NEA-2, NYDN-2) *

Night Train Lane Richard Lane (April 16, 1928 – January 29, 2002), commonly known as Dick "Night Train" Lane, was an American professional football player who was a cornerback for 14 years in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Los Angeles R ...

, Detroit Lions (AP, NEA, PFI, NYDN-2, UPI-2) *

Jimmy Hill James William Thomas Hill, OBE (22 July 1928 – 19 December 2015) was an English footballer and later a television personality. His career included almost every role in the sport, including player, trade union leader, coach, manager, director ...

, St. Louis Cardinals (NEA) *

Johnny Sample John B. Sample Jr. (June 15, 1936 – April 26, 2005) was an American football defensive back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts (1958–1960), Pittsburgh Steelers (1961–1962), and Washington Redskins (1963� ...

, Pittsburgh Steelers (PFI) * Don Burroughs, Philadelphia Eagles (NEA-2, NYDN-2, UPI-2) *

Dick Lynch Richard Dennis Lynch (April 29, 1936 – September 24, 2008) was an American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants. He was a one-time Pro Bowler in 1963, when he led the NFL ...

, New York Giants (UPI-2) * Eddie Dove, San Francisco 49ers (UPI-2)

Special teams selections

Kickers

, Green Bay Packers (AP, NYDN, UPI, NEA-2)

Punters

Jerry Norton Jerry Ray Norton (May 16, 1931 – January 14, 2020) was a professional American football safety and punter in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. He was se ...

, St. Louis Cardinals (NEA, NYDN-2) *

Yale Lary Robert Yale Lary Sr. (November 24, 1930 – May 11, 2017) was an American football player, businessman, and politician. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and was also selected for the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. He has al ...

, Detroit Lions (NEA-2)

Return specialists

Abe Woodson Abraham Benjamin Woodson (February 15, 1934 – February 8, 2014) was an American football cornerback and kick returner who played nine seasons in the National Football League, mainly with the San Francisco 49ers. He also spent two years with ...

, San Francisco 49ers (NYDN) *

Jon Arnett Jon Dwane "Jaguar Jon" Arnett (April 20, 1935 – January 16, 2021) was an American professional football player. He was a first-team All-American out of USC and Manual Arts High School. Arnett died on January 16, 2021, from heart failure in L ...

, Los Angeles Rams (NEA-2, NYDN-2, UPI-2) *

, Pittsburgh Steelers (NYDN, PFI, UPI, NEA-2)

References

External links

1961 NFL All-Pros – Pro-Football-Reference
{{DEFAULTSORT:1961 All-Pro Team All-Pro Teams 1961 National Football League season