NFL Quarterbacks: The 40-and-Older Club

Atlanta Falcons

NFL Quarterbacks: The 40-and-Older Club

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43-year-old Vinny Testaverde of the Carolina Panthers, whose team faces the Falcons Sunday, is the latest NFL quarterback to continue his career into his 40s. He was signed after Jake Delhomme went down for the season and has played in lieu of injured backup David Carr. But Testaverde, who has been bothered by a sore Achilles tendon, is questionable for Sunday.

George Blanda, who doubled as a quarterback and a kicker, had the longest career in pro football history with 26 seasons, from 1949-75. Among his numerous longevity records include being the oldest player in an NFL game (48 years, 110 days).

Kansas City Chiefs legend Len Dawson played to the age of 40, After a slow start to his career, he helped the Chiefs win a Super Bowl and was the NFL's highest-rated passer 10 years in a row. He's in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Johnny Unitas also enjoyed a Hall Fame career until he was 40. The Baltimore Colts QB made 10 Pro Bowl appearances and was the first player in NFL history to throw for more than 40,000 yards. He also had a streak of 47 consecutive games in which he threw for at least one touchdown.

Earl Morrall closed out his 21-year career during the Miami Dolphins' heyday. During the Dolphins' historic undefeated season in 1972, he played a game at QB for an injured Bob Griese and earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors.

The Falcons had a graybeard of their own in 1998 when they brought then-44-year-old backup Steve DeBerg out of a five-year retirement. He was the oldest player to make a Super Bowl roster in his sole season with the Falcons, although he didn't play in the game.

After starting out in the Canadian Football League, Warren Moon embarked on a 16-season career in the NFL that lasted until he was in his mid-40s. He enjoyed his best years in the early 1980s with the Oilers, but was named to the Pro Bowl in 1997 as a 40-year-old with the Seahawks (and was named the game's MVP).

Doug Flutie's career took a more roundabout path. The former Heisman Trophy winner spent the majority of his years in the CFL, then was signed by the Bills in 1998 and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He was 42 when he retired in 2005.

Current Packers quarterback Brett Favre could be the next notable name to join the 40-and-over club. The onetime Falcon, who just turned 38, is second in total offense in the NFL to New England's Tom Brady and has already thrown 13 touchdowns, five fewer than he had all last season.

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43-year-old Vinny Testaverde of the Carolina Panthers, whose team faces the Falcons Sunday, is the latest NFL quarterback to continue his career into his 40s. He was signed after Jake Delhomme went down for the season and has played in lieu of injured backup David Carr. But Testaverde, who has been bothered by a sore Achilles tendon, is questionable for Sunday.

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