Yes. It was in 1965 when injuries to the Baltimore Colts starting quarterback Johnny Unitas and backup quarterback Gary Cuozzo forced halfback Tom Matte to take over under center with a trip to the NFL championship on the line.
On Dec. 26, 1965, the Colts and Green Bay squared off for the NFL Western Conference championship. The Packers boasted four future Hall of Famers, plus legendary coach Vince Lombardi.
The Colts pinned their hopes - and that wristband - on Tom Matte, 26, a reserve halfback who'd been bumped up to quarterback after late-season injuries to John Unitas (knee) and backup Gary Cuozzo (shoulder).
"I had to learn so much offense that I didn't have time to be nervous," Matte said. "I remember that we walked through the plays in the ballroom of our hotel in Green Bay."
Undersized and overmatched, the 6-foot Matte cowed no one. He hadn't taken a snap since college as an option quarterback at Ohio State. His running style earned him the nickname "Garbage Can." His hands were barely large enough to throw a spiral. And he barked signals like a yippy chihuahua. Read more at Articles.baltimoresun.com.
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