By Darin Before the modern aerial assault became the norm, Jerry Rhome was already playing “video game” football in the 1960s. Armed with a legendary arm and a precision that defied his era, Rhome transformed the Tulsa Golden Hurricane into the most feared offense in the nation. From his record-shattering 32-touchdown senior season to finishing as a Heisman runner-up, Rhome proved that a wide-open passing attack wasn’t just possible—it was unstoppable. Relive the story of the man who rewrote the NCAA record books and left an indelible mark on both the college and professional game.
Football Bio
March 6, 1942 – Dallas, Texas – The quarterback who played at SMU in 1961, then transferred to play the same position in 1963 and 1964 for Tulsa, Jerry Rhome, was born. The NFF‘s bio on Rhome states that in 1963, Jerry was third in the nation in passing and the third-highest collegian in total offense. He tossed many of those passes to the top receiver in the country, Howard Twilley.
In the 1964 season, Jerry was credited with 32 touchdown passes, including 7 in a game against Louisville. Rhome was an All-America selection and was named Player of the Year by the Academy of Sports Editors, the Washington Touchdown Club, and the Knute Rockne Club. He received the Walter Camp Trophy and finished second in the Heisman voting. Tulsa retired his jersey No. 17 after his playing career there. The National Football Foundation carried Jerry Rhome’s gridiron legacy into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
Conclusion
Jerry Rhome’s career at Tulsa remains a masterclass in offensive efficiency. By setting 18 NCAA records during his tenure, he helped usher in the modern era of the passing game, proving that a high-volume aerial attack could dominate traditional defenses. While he narrowly missed the Heisman Trophy in one of the closest votes in history, his legacy as a prolific scorer and a brilliant tactical mind—later evidenced by his successful decades-long NFL coaching career—solidifies his place as one of the true pioneers of the quarterback position.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1998.
- Heisman Trophy Runner-Up: 1964 (Finishing just 74 votes behind John Huarte).
- Walter Camp Trophy Winner: 1964.
- Sammy Baugh Trophy: 1964 (Top collegiate passer).
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1964.
- AP Back of the Year: 1964.
- NCAA Passing & Total Offense Leader: 1964 (2,870 passing yards, 32 TDs).
- Jersey Retired: No. 17 retired by the University of Tulsa.
- Sammy Baugh Award Winner: 1964.
- Bluebonnet Bowl Champion: Led Tulsa to a 14–7 victory over Ole Miss (1964).
- Super Bowl Champion Coach: Earned a ring as the QBs coach for the Washington Redskins (Super Bowl XXII).
- NFL Coaching Veteran: Served as offensive coordinator or QBs coach for 10 different NFL franchises.
