A Crossroads of Talent and Emerging...

The 1960 NFL Draft, held on November 30, 1959, at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia, was a pivotal event, not just for the established National Football League but also for the burgeoning landscape of professional football. With the rival American Football League (AFL) set to kick off its inaugural season in 1960, the draft became a battleground for talent, as many top college prospects were courted by both leagues, often leading to players signing with the AFL for more lucrative contracts or playing time. This dual-league competition added an unprecedented layer of complexity and excitement to the draft process.

✦ The top 10 selections of the 1960 NFL Draft were:

1 Los Angeles Rams: Billy Cannon, Running back, LSU

2 Chicago Cardinals: George Izo, Quarterback, Notre Dame
3 Detroit Lions: Johnny Robinson, Safety, LSU

4 Washington Redskins: Richie Lucas, Quarterback, Penn State

5 Green Bay Packers: Tom Moore, Running back, Vanderbilt

6 Pittsburgh Steelers: Jack Spikes, Running back, TCU

7 Chicago Bears: Roger Davis, Guard, Syracuse

8 Cleveland Browns: Jim Houston, Defensive End, Ohio State

9 Philadelphia Eagles: Ron Burton, Running back, Northwestern

10 Baltimore Colts: Ron Mix, Offensive Tackle, USC

Despite the competition from the AFL, the 1960 NFL Draft still produced an impressive class of players, several of whom would go on to achieve legendary status. Notably, two players from this draft class are enshrined in the Pro

✦ Football Hall of Fame:

Ron Mix (10th overall pick by the Baltimore Colts): An offensive tackle who, despite being drafted by the Colts, famously opted to play in the AFL for the Los Angeles (later San Diego) Chargers, where he became a dominant force and a key figure in the Chargers' early success.

Johnny Robinson (3rd overall pick by the Detroit Lions): Like Mix, Robinson initially signed with an AFL team, the Dallas Texans (later Kansas City Chiefs), where he transitioned from running back to safety and became one of the greatest defensive backs of his era.

Additionally, several players drafted in 1960, though perhaps not Pro Football Hall of Famers, earned recognition in the College Football Hall of Fame, highlighting their impactful collegiate careers. This draft serves as a fascinating snapshot of a transformative period when professional football was rapidly expanding and the competition for talent was at an all-time high.