National Football League (NFL)

1971 NFL Season Overview

National Football League (NFL)

1971 NFL Season Overview

Leagues / Football / NFL / 1971 / Season Overview

Baltimore defeated Dallas 16-13 on Jim O'Brien's 32-yard field goal with five seconds to go in Super Bowl V at Miami, January 17. The NBC tele-cast was viewed in an estimated 23,980,000 homes, the largest audience ever for a one-day sports event. The NFC defeated the AFC 27-6 in the first AFC-NFC Pro Bowl at Los Angeles, January 24. The Boston Patriots changed their name to the New England Patriots, March 25. Their new stadium, Schaefer Stadium, was dedicated in a 20-14 preseason victory over the Giants. The Philadelphia Eagles left Franklin Field and played their games at the new Veterans Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers left Kezar Stadium and moved their games to Candlestick Park. Daniel F. Reeves, the president and general manager of the Rams, died at 58, April 15. The Dallas Cowboys moved from the Cotton Bowl into their new home, Texas Stadium, October 24. Miami defeated Kansas City 27-24 in sudden-death overtime in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game, December 25. Garo Yepremian kicked a 37-yard field goal for the Dolphins after 22 minutes, 40 seconds of overtime, as the game lasted 82 minutes, 40 seconds overall, making it the longest game in history.

1971 NFL Champions

Dallas Cowboys

defeated Miami Dolphins

Commissioner Pete Rozelle

Union Director Ed Garvey

Players' President John Gordy

1971 NFL Draft

Pick Player Team

1 Jim Plunkett QB Patriots

2 Archie Manning QB Saints

3 Dan Pastorini QB Oilers

4 J.D. Hill WR Bills

5 Richard Harris DE Eagles

View Entire 1971 NFL Draft

1971 NFL Draft

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