Today In Patriots History August 31, 2009: Tedy Bruschi announces retirement after 13 seasons

[jmt57]

Today in Pro Football History
August 31 Birthdays​

And some other notable pro football players sharing this birth date:

Larry Fitzgerald, 43 (1983)
The Hall of Famer had five seasons with 100+ receptions, five with 10+ touchdown receptions, and nine seasons of 1,000+ yards receiving - including four of over 1,400 yards. No positive confirmation that he was sighted at Logan Airport last night.

Larry Fitzgerald | Pro Football Hall of Fame

Selected with the third overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft and spent entire career with Arizona Cardinals … Immediate starter who contributed 58 receptions for 780 yards and eight touchdowns in first year … In second season, surpassed 1,000 yards (1,409) with a league-leading 103 receptions …...

www.profootballhof.com

Jim Finks (1927-1994)
Hall of Famer spent 27 seasons as GM of the Vikings, Bears and Saints. Prior to that he was a quarterback with Pittsburgh from 1949-1955. In 1952 Finks led the NFL with 20 touchdown passes, and in '55 he led the league in passing yards.


Gary Johnson (1952-2010)
'Big Hands' was the 8th overall pick by San Diego in '75, and a four-time Pro Bowl DT with the Chargers. At the end of his 11 year career he was traded to San Francisco. In 23 games with the 49ers he had nine sacks, a safety, three fumble recoveries and a touchdown, helping SF in the '84-85 playoff run with three more sacks, culminating with a 38-16 victory over Miami in SB 19.


Alvin Haymond (1942-2024)
Return specialist from Southern University led the NFL in punt returns three times, punt return yardage three times, yards per punt return in 1969 (13.2), combined kick and punt return yardage three times, and kick return yardage once. Over his career Haymond had 6,749 yards on returns; at the time he retired that was second most in NFL history.

Lance Moore, 43 (1983)
Former wide receiver with the Saints had 45 career touchdowns, and won a ring after the 2009-10 Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Colts.