Sept. 28, 1951

With top Los Angeles Rams quarterback Bob Waterfield on the bench with injuries, Norm Van Brocklin gets a starting opportunity against the New York Yanks. Van Brocklin, who had been the NFL's leading passer the previous year, responds by becoming the first NFL passer to throw for more than 500 yards in a game, firing for a still-standing record 554 yards before 30,315 fans in Los Angeles. He breaks Johnny Lujack's mark of 468 yards.

The Flying Dutchman connects for five touchdowns -- four to Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch -- in the 54-14 victory by the Rams, who will go on to win the NFL championship. In the first half, Van Brocklin throws 46- and 47-yard TD tosses to Hirsch and a 67-yarder to Vitamin T. Smith, as well as scoring himself from a yard out.