1968 Profiles: Jack Kemp and Tom Flores

JACK KEMP
Quarterback
No. 15
Occidental
"Quick, now - what college did Jack Kemp attend? Chances are you didn't know it was Occidental. The reason for asking is more than academic. People don't pay much attention to Kemp. Good, bad year, he seems to get written off too quickly.
Despite the fact that he's appeared in more AFL championship games than any other quarterback (five), he had to scramble plenty to save his job last year after Tom Flores was obtained from Oakland. He retained his first-string status most of the way, though he had a subpar year due to injuries in his offensive line and a jammed thumb of his own. Jack completed 161 of 369 attempts for 2,503 yards, a 43.6 percentage and 14 touchdowns; his 26 interceptions were second highest in the league to Joe Namath.
In seven AFL seasons, two with the Chargers, he's passed for more than 19,000 yards and completed 1,264 passes. In 1965 he was unanimously named the AFL's Most Valuable Player."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"Jack began his pro career back in 1957 with the Steelers, joining the Chargers in 1960. He came to the Bills in 1962.
Jack's hobby is skiing."

-1968 Topps No. 149


TOM FLORES
Quarterback
No. 16
Pacific
"As a contrast to the scrambling style of Jack Kemp, Tom Flores is a more conventional drop-back type of passer. But in seven pro seasons, he has yet to develop any consistency, partly because he was held back by injuries, partly because he was always somebody's relief man.
Owner of an outstanding arm that helped him compile 11,635 yards in six years with the Raiders, Tom seemed to be coming into his own in 1966. He finished third among AFL passers with 151 completions in 306 attempts for 2,638 yards, a 49.4 percentage, and 24 touchdown throws. But with the acquisition of Daryle Lamonica from Buffalo, he went in the trade to the Bills.
Tom won the starting job in training camp, then was hurt and his play began to fall off. So once again, he watched the season mostly from the sidelines, hoping next year would be different."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968