37 Nostalgic NFL Photos That Take You Back to Football’s Golden Era

Before the glitz of modern stadiums and the high-tech precision of today’s NFL, football was raw, unpredictable, and full of larger-than-life personalities. These 37 nostalgic photos spirit of the sport’s golden era; from the swagger of Joe Namath and the grit of dick Butkus to the unforgettable plays and sideline antics of legends like Wlater Payton, John Madden and Brett Favre.

Whether it’s the electric draft-day phone calls, iconic Super Bowl showdowns, or the hard-hitting drama of old-school rivalries, this collection is a time machine back to the days when football was played with heart, toughness, and a little bit of chaos.

1. Joe Namath talking on a headset during against against the Buffalo Bills at Shea Stadium on December 8, 1974.

A football player in a muddy uniform stands on a muddy field, wearing a green cape-like cover. He's holding a helmet and talking on a phone. Teammates and a crowd are visible in the background.

2. Brett Favre getting drafted into the NFL, 1991.

A group of people in a room during an NFL draft party. The central figure, Brett Favre is sitting on a bed, is talking on a cellphone, smiling. Others are gathered around, some wearing "NFL Draft Day" shirts, looking excited and engaged.

3. There will never be a better announcing team that Al Michaels and John Madden.

Two sports commentators wearing bright yellow jackets sit in a booth at a stadium. They are holding ABC microphones and smiling. The football field is visible in the background through the window. — OldSchoolNFL

4. Deon Sanders getting the call that he’s been drafted to the Atlanta Falcons on April 23, 1989.

Deion Sanders wearing sunglasses and gold jewelry is sitting on a couch, talking on a phone. He is dressed in a white and black outfit with one arm raised joyfully. Yellow flowers and green plants are visible in the background. — OldSchoolNFL

5. The Boz and Bo on Monday Night Football in 1987.

Two American football players stand on a field, shaking hands and smiling. One wears a blue Seattle Seahawks jersey and the other a white jersey with the number 34. They appear to be having a friendly conversation after the game. — UrbanAchievers6371

6. This quote from Denver RB, Floyd Little

A football player wearing a red jersey with the number 44 crouches while looking to the right. The jersey has blue and white stripes on the sleeves. The sky is cloudy in the background. — OldSchoolNFL

“Dick Butkus hit me so hard my body almost liquified. He helps me up and says, ‘You Ok?’ I said, ‘Yeah of course.’ He says, ‘Well if you’re ok, why are you in our huddle?’ He’d hit me so hard I’d followed him into the Bears huddle. He turned me around and sent me back”. – Floyd Little

7. This all-time great quote about the consequences of helping your team

Football players in red and white uniforms stand on a snowy field. A person in a red jacket sits on a small tractor clearing snow. The seating rows in the background suggest a stadium setting.

On December 12, 1982, the Patriots defeated the Dolphins 3-0 after John Deere operator Mark Henderson — a convict on work release — cleared a space for Pats kicker John Smith to make a 33-yard field goal. After the game, Henderson said, “What are they gonna do, throw me in jail?”

8. Dallas Cowboys head couch Tom Landry and Oakland Raiders head couch John Madden (1970s)

Two men stand on a football field. One wears a suit and fedora, while the other wears a short-sleeved shirt and slacks. They converse near the sideline with empty stadium seats visible in the background. — Tony_Tanna78

9. Cris Collinsworth on the cover of the December 14, 1981 issue of Sport Illustrated.

A football player in a black jersey holds a helmet, smiling on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Text reads: "NICE CATCH! Cincinnati's Rookie Find, Wide Receiver Cris Collinsworth." The issue is dated December 14, 1981. — UrbanAchievers6371

10. A prized possession from the late 70s.

UrbanAchievers6371

11. Dan Marino hanging his head in defeat at the end of Super Bowl XIX on January 20th, 1985.

Football player in a number 13 uniform stands on the field, holding his helmet. The background shows a blurred crowd, and the setting seems to be a stadium with evening lighting. — jasonvoorhees2582

12. On November 11, 1979, Robin Williams joined the Denver Broncos cheerleading.

Two images of a person on a football field wearing a sparkling costume with fringe, white boots, gloves, and an orange scarf. In the first image, they point outward; in the second, they gesture towards themselves. A crowd fills the stadium. — OldSchoolNFL

13. Rocky Bleier, Amerian Patriot and Vietnam combat veteran: 1 Purple Heart, 1 Bronze Star, 4 Superbowl Championships.

A collage of three images: Top shows soldiers resting on grass; Bottom left shows a shirtless man in a hat sitting outdoors; Bottom right shows a football player in a yellow and black uniform during a game. — Quick_Presentation11

14. Terry Bradshaw singing an autograph for a young Jim Kelly.

A young boy in a suit and tie smiles at the camera while a man beside him signs an autograph. The man is wearing a dark jacket and is focused on the paper in his hand. People and a poster board are visible in the background. — gdizzle344

15. Chicago Bear Quarterback Jim McMahon reports to training camp in Platteville, WI in 1986.

A person wearing sunglasses carries a blue cooler and a box labeled "2-12/12 OZ CAN PACKS" outdoors. A red SUV is parked in the background, with trees and grass nearby. — S_and_P

16. Alex Karrass was drafted by the Lions in 1958. He played his final year in 1970, only make the playoffs once. He missed only one game in 12 seasons.

A football player wearing a blue jersey with the number 71 sits on a bench. He has a coat draped over his shoulders and a silver helmet at his feet. The background shows a football field and spectators. — jasonvoorhees2582

17. Steve Largent and Cris Collinsworth

Two American football players stand on a field. One wears a white Seattle Seahawks uniform, and the other wears a black Cincinnati Bengals uniform. Both have helmets and jerseys numbered 80. They're engaged in conversation. — URbanAchievers6371

18. Welcome to Pittsburgh, Terry Bradshaw. Terry tours a not-yet-finished Three Rivers Stadium on his first visit as a Steelers Rookie in 1970.

A person wearing a coat and hat stands in the middle of a large, partially constructed or renovated stadium. They are holding a football and looking upwards. The ground is muddy, and construction equipment is visible in the background. — UrbanAchievers6371

19. Eric Dickerson hanging out with Walter Payton during the Pro Bowl in the mid 80s.

Two American football players in blue jerseys with "NATIONAL" and numbers 28 and 34 sit on the sidelines. They are wearing helmets and are seated on a bench during a game. One player sports a visor cap, the other a headband. — RuralMeyerSpuds

20. Johnny Unitas signs an autograph for a young fan during training camp in Westminister, Maryland in 1964.

A football player in full gear is signing an autograph for a young boy. The player holds a helmet and clipboard. The scene takes place outdoors on a sunny day, with trees and a person walking in the background. — oldschoolnfl

21. On January 10, 1988, Walter Payton played his final game.

American football player in a dark uniform, number 34, sits on a bench with head in hands, appearing dejected. The background is a sports field with scattered leaves on the ground. — URbanAchievers6371

His career ended with a loss to Washington in the divisional round of the playoffs by the score 21-17. Oncer his career, Payton rushed for a record breaking 16,276 yards and scored 110 touchdowns.

22. Lengendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi having lunch in a Green Bay diner in 1960.

Black-and-white photo of a vintage diner counter. Two men in suits sit on stools, eating. A sign overhead reads "Neezer's Big Boy Plate" and lists prices. The counter holds dishes, napkin dispensers, and utensils. — oldschoolnfl

23. This legendary photo of Joe Namath’s leap throw in 1966.

A vintage black-and-white photo of an American football game. A quarterback wearing number 12 leaps to throw the ball as defenders approach. Other players in numbered jerseys pursue. A crowded stadium filled with spectators is in the background. — oldschoolnfl

24. In the 1985 divisional round playoff, LA Radiers linebacker Matt Millen punched New England Patriots GM Patrick Sullivan.

A black and white photo shows a chaotic scene during a football game. A man in a shirt is being punched by a player wearing a number 55 jersey. A crowd of people surrounds them, capturing a moment of tension and conflict. — URvanAchievers6371

This was after the Patriots 27-20 upset win. The altercation was reportedly sparked by Sullivan’s trash talking about Raiders player Howie Long during the game.

25. Jerome ‘The Bus’ Bettis’ retirement photos from 2006, after helping the Steelers win the championships in Super Bowl XL.

Two side-by-side images of three men in football gear and black jackets. On the left, two players look back while entering a door, with a suited man in the middle. On the right, the three pose cheerfully with smiles and open arms.

26. Raiders Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff caught 589 passes and scored 76 TDs in his legendary career, and was the MVP of Super Bowl XI.

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27. Larry Csonka.

Football player in a white and teal uniform and helmet sits on the sidelines with a crowded stadium in the background. The player's uniform is number 39, and the field has visible dirt marks. An American flag decorates the barrier behind him. — MajesticBoy2105

28. Walter Payton and Phil Collins hanging out.

Two people are standing together outdoors. One is wearing casual clothing, and the other is in a navy and orange football uniform with number 34. Both are smiling, with trees and grass in the background. — PresentationNew6648

29. John madden yelling at a referee in 1970.

A person wearing a striped shirt and tie is passionately speaking to an official in a referee uniform on a football field, with a large crowd in the background. — YoureaSkyscraper

30. Arthur Whittington’s 1981 traditing card featuring him taking some oxygen.

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31. Halftime at the first Super Bowl

Football player in uniform with number 16 sits on a folding chair in a locker room, smoking a cigarette. A green bottle is on the floor nearby, with teammates and equipment in the background. — Oda_nicullah

32. One of the greatest players in NFL History, Jim Nathaniel Brown, who retired at the peak of his career to pursue acting.

A football player wearing a number 32 jersey walks on the field with a large coat draped over his shoulder pads. He holds a helmet and the stands in the background are filled with spectators. The scene is in black and white. — gregornot

33. Howard Mudd, former NFL player and coach, at the 1967 Pro Bowl.

A football player wearing a muddy uniform sits on a bench, holding a cup in one hand and a helmet in the other, with a tired expression. The stadium seats in the background are mostly empty. — chrisprattyps

34. Dallas Cowboy QB Roger Staubach throw a pass over the outstretch hands of Minnesota Vikings Densive lineman Alan Page.

A football player in a light uniform jumps to throw a pass while a defender in a dark uniform leaps with arms raised. The crowd watches from the stands on a chilly day. — Quickpresentation11

This was during the 1971 NFC championship. Page was the NFL MVP that year, becoming the first-ever defensive player to earn the recognition.

35. Colorized phot of legendary NFL wide receiver Don Hutson in the 1930s.

Football player in a vintage uniform and leather helmet stands on a field. He wears a navy jersey with the number 14 and gold accents. A crowd in a stadium and other players are in the background. — PPkDude

36. Ray Lewis getting the call on draft day in 1996.

A man wearing sunglasses and a patterned shirt, holds a phone to his ear with a smile. An older woman with short hair and a colorful dress hugs him warmly, smiling with her eyes closed. They are indoors, standing closely together. — LouieKablooie

37. Bum Phillips, couch for the Houston Oilers in the 1970s.

Man wearing a large white cowboy hat, sunglasses, and a brown shearling coat stands outdoors at a sporting event. The background is blurred, showing a crowd of people. — ZSreport

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