Hall of Fame Jerseys You'd Never Wear Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. He's perhaps one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game, Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers. Four time Super Bowl Champion and three time Super Bowl MVP, Montana was the face of the 49ers franchise, but later in his career, Montana donned #19 for his last two seasons. Which team did Montana sign with in 1993?

Answer: Kansas City Chiefs

To his credit, Joe Montana had a decent two seasons with the Chiefs leading them to their first postseason win since Super Bowl IV in 1970 and even making the 1993 AFC championship game. Montana's move to Kansas City started when a quarterback controversy between Montana and backup quarterback Steve Young had erupted.

In the playing time missed by Montana due to injuries, Young had proven his effectiveness as a starting quarterback. Montana ultimately requested a trade after much controversy with Young and would become a member of the Chiefs in April of 1993. Montana was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

2. Fullback Franco Harris #32 with the Pittsburgh Steelers -- Four time Super Bowl champion, MVP of Super Bowl IX, and known for one of the greatest plays in the history of football, "The Immaculate Reception". Before the 1984 season, the Steelers released Harris and he ended up #34 for another team. Which franchise did Franco Harris finish his career with?

Answer: Seattle Seahawks

In 1983, Franco Harris had asked the owners of the Steelers, the Rooney family for a pay raise. Believing that the ageing Harris was on the downside of his career, the Rooneys refused his pay raise. Harris threatened to hold out for more money and subsequently was released in 1984.

He signed with the Seattle Seahawks, but his last season was a mediocre one as Harris played only half of the season and rushing for only 170 yards. Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

3. One of the greatest running backs that ever played in the NFL, #22 Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys -- Three-time Super Bowl champion, MVP of Super Bowl XXVIII, and holds the distinction of all-time leading rusher in the NFL. Emmitt Smith is a legend, but he wasn't a Cowboy his whole career, he spent his last two seasons with a completely different team. Which team did Smith play for in his last two seasons?

Answer: Arizona Cardinals

In total, Emmitt Smith amassed 18,355 rushing yards in his 15 year career. His last season with the Cardinals was a decent one, rushing for 937 yards, the same amount he rushed for in his first season with the Cowboys. He also became the oldest player to throw a first touchdown pass which was his only passing attempt of his career.

In February of 2005 before Super Bowl XXXIX, Smith was released by the Cardinals and signed a one-day contract with Dallas and rightfully retired as a Cowboy shortly after.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

4. Joe Namath quarterback #12 with the New York Jets -- His guarantee to win Super Bowl III over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts and making good on his word changed the face of football forever. Namath will always be a Jet, but his last season in 1977 was spent with another team believe it or not. What team did Joe Namath play for in his last season?

Answer: Los Angeles Rams

Joe Namath in a Rams uniform is just plain blasphemous. Namath had such a big impact on pro football while playing in New York, you can't imagine him on any other team. Namath was signed to the Rams on May 12, 1977, and while he hoped the move would provide a spark to his declining career, Namath was hampered by knee injuries and the general wear of playing years of pro football.

He only played four games in 1977, and retired the following season. While not having a spectacular passing record (173 touchdowns versus 220 interceptions), his role as a mobile quarterback gradually shifted the offense off of a running game and more of an open passing game.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

5. Buffalo Bills running back #34 Thurman Thomas had an illustrious career. Being a part of the Bills "no-huddle offense" was instrumental in their four straight trips to the Super Bowl (XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII). Even though the Bills lost all four games, Thomas put up 12,074 rushing yards in his career and was the league MVP in 1991. He will always be a Buffalo Bill, but Thomas' last season was with a big rival of the Bills. Which rival team did Thurman Thomas suit up for in 2000?

Answer: Miami Dolphins

Following a salary cap for the Bills in 2000, Thomas signed with the Dolphins in the off-season. He had a less than spectacular season, only rushing for 136 yards in nine games. A knee injury in a game against the San Diego Chargers effectively ended his career. On February 27, 2001, Thomas signed a one-day ceremonial contract with the Bills and appropriately retired with Buffalo.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

6. Jerry Rice #80 for the San Francisco 49ers is considered one of the greatest wide receivers and players in NFL history. Three time Super Bowl champion and MVP of Super Bowl XXIII, Rice holds over 100 NFL records. Rice has played for quite a few NFL teams,but his last season he wore #19 and didn't even play spending the season as a practice squad member. What was the last team Jerry Rice was a part of in his NFL career?

Answer: Denver Broncos

Jerry Rice has had quite a few unwearable jerseys in his career. He has played for Oakland and Seattle, but with such an outstanding career in San Francisco, it's hard to imagine him with any other team. Rice was planning on playing the 2005 season with the Broncos, but since he would be at the bottom of the Broncos' depth chart, Rice opted to retire instead. Like many other Hall of Famers that spend their last season with a different team, Jerry Rice signed a one-day contract with the 49ers in 2006, and retired with San Francisco.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

7. The "Minister of Defense" #92, Reggie White, was one of the greatest defensive ends in the game. Many know him as a member of the Eagles and then his surprising decision to enter the free agency and become a member of the Green Bay Packers, which he earned a Super Bowl ring from Super Bowl XXXI. He retired in 1998, but after one year of retirement, he decided to play the 2000 season with one other team. Which one?

Answer: Carolina Panthers

Reggie White played a full season with the Panthers in 2000 only producing 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble and retired again after the 2000 season. White had 198 sacks in his career in the NFL. His sacks in the USFL bump his numbers up to 221.5 sacks which is the most in professional football. Sadly, White passed away in 2004 due to a cardiac arrhythmia.

He has since been honored by both the Eagles and the Packers by having his #92 retired.

8. In the category of sacks, no one in the NFL did it better than Buffalo Bills defensive end #78, Bruce Smith. He was able to break Reggie White's mark of 198 sacks and reach the 200 sack mark. He was defensive player of the year three times and was a part of the Buffalo Bills of the early 90's that went to four consecutive Super Bowls (unfortunately losing all of them). Smith didn't spend his entire career with the Bills though. Which East coast team did Smith spend his last seasons with?

Answer: Washington Redskins

Along with Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed, Smith was another player dumped off the Bills roster following an emergency salary cap. He became a free agent and in another "brilliant" free agency pickup by the Redskins, Bruce was now donning the burgundy and gold.

The Redskins basically used Smith in passing situations, essentially helping him to get the all time sack record. In another salary cap dump, Smith was released by the Redskins after the 2003 season and retired shortly after. After Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith was the second Buffalo Bill to have his jersey number retired, which happened during a Thursday Night Football game against the Jets.

He has also been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his induction being in 2009.

9. This player was instrumental to the popularity of football and the role of a prominent, marquee quarterback. #19 Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts had a landmark career which includes three NFL championships, a Super Bowl win (V) and four NFL MVP awards. Believe it or not, Unitas suited up for his last season in 1973 not in a Colts uniform. Which team did Unitas close out his career with?

Answer: San Diego Chargers

I always find is somewhat sad that Johnny Unitas ended his career in San Diego. The old gunslinger should have retired in Baltimore and left his legacy with his career, but this is one small blemish on an otherwise fruitful career. The Colts dealt Unitas to the Chargers in 1973, but by this time, Unitas was far past his prime and was questioned as an effective starter.

After a 1-3 start, Unitas was benched for an up an coming Hall of Fame quarterback, Dan Fouts. Unitas retired before the start of the 1974 season.

After his career, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and his jersey number was retired by the Colts. Unitas passed away in 2002 from a sudden heart attack, but his impact on the game of football and the role of quarterback will never be forgotten.

10. This quarterback who is arguably the most iconic quarterback that defined the 1990s. #4 on the Green Bay Packers, Brett Favre had an incredible career of twenty years and spanning three decades. He was the league MVP three consecutive times (1995, 1996, 1997), and leading the Packers to two consecutive Super Bowl appearances (XXXI & XXXII) winning one of them (XXXI). Many fans are aware of his "retirement" after the 2007 season and subsequent return with the New York Jets and eventual stab in the back to Packers fans with his move to the Minnesota Vikings. What not as many people know is that Favre didn't start his career with the Packers. What team originally drafted Brett Favre?

Answer: Atlanta Falcons

Favre was drafted in the second round of the 1991 draft by the Atlanta Falcons, but head coach Jerry Glanville did not approve the drafting of Favre. Because of this, Favre saw very little playing time and what little time he did get was a disaster throwing an interception returned for a touchdown on his first ever pass and being sacked for a loss of eleven yards. in 1992 Favre was traded to the Packers for a first round draft pick. Starting quarterback Don Majkowski went down with an injury in the third game of the 1992 season.

Head coach Mike Holmgren put Favre in as the starter and never looked back. Although Favre receives some flak for his retirement flip-flopping, he has been awarded many accolades including being part of the 2016 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and having his jersey number retired by the Packers.

Source: Author kevalex34

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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Many hall of fame players are heroes in their respective cities, but during the twilight of their careers, more often than not, will have a brief fling with another team. We look at ten hall of famers whose jerseys you probably won't see too often.

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