Didn't he play until he was 40something?
https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/03/30/tom-brady-steve-deberg-oldest-starting-quarterback
On Oct. 25, 1998, DeBerg started for the Falcons against the Jets at 44 years and 279 days old.
To be honest, it was a forgettable moment in NFL history. New York crushed the eventual NFC champs 28–3 as DeBerg, filling in for an injured Chris Chandler, went 9-for-20 for 117 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and three sacks.
The New York Times wrote that he "looked every day of" 44.
"When you start getting into your 40s you don't recover as fast with injuries and things like that," DeBerg said. "You are a little bit, your footwork is just a
little bit slower and your arm strength starts diminishing a little bit. You make up for it with knowledge and decision-making."
But DeBerg's career is much more than being the oldest player to ever start under center in an NFL game. After being drafted by the Cowboys, DeBerg was traded to the 49ers, where he played with O.J. Simpson (late in his NFL career) as his tailback. He made stops in Denver, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Miami before retiring and un-retiring, returning for the 1998 season with Atlanta to back up Chris Chandler (and get that history-making start).
"You just never know. A guy could fall onto [Brady's] knee. There are so many things that can happen. It is a violent game. The injury part of it is a big factor. Sometimes you've just got to be lucky."
But DeBerg wasn't always lucky in his NFL career, several times losing out to quarterbacks who would go on to greatness. DeBerg was with the 49ers when they drafted Joe Montana, with Denver when they drafted John Elway and down in Tampa Bay when they got Steve Young and Vinny Testaverde—and every one of those transactions sent him packing.
In 1998, at age 44,
[ Edited by Giedi on Jul 8, 2018 at 2:03 PM ]
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