AFL/NFL 3,000 Yard Passers State by State Rank and Overview: Installment 1

In compiling this data the author used NFL.com, Profootballreference.com, and Wikipedia for research.

If you encounter any information you believe to be flawed, the author would appreciate your feedback.

Deciding a statistic to measure the impact of states from the quarterback position is a harder proposition than say running back or receiver because there are so many factors that determine whether or not a QB had a good season.

For example, the passing game has evolved so much over the years that what constitutes a good season has changed dramatically. Where once a signal caller completing just over 50% of his passes and throwing a few more touchdowns than interceptions would likely be considered an All-Pro, in today’s NFL climate it will lose you your job.

There are also offensive styles to consider. For some teams the perfect QB needs to throw for 2,500 yards or more and 15 touchdowns a season, manage the game well, and hand the ball off a lot. In other offensive schemes the quarterback needs to throw for 4,000 plus yards and 30 touchdowns or more a season to be considered effective.

That all said, in determining the most effective state for production of field generals, the 3,000 yard passing season has been decided upon as the mark. Although admittedly flawed, (You will see many players on this list who had poor seasons overall, and many deserving names will not be on this list because they played in an era before the forward pass was well evolved.) the overall product is an effective benchmark as to what states produce quality quarterbacks on a consistent basis.

Over the years the 3,000 yard passing season has been achieved or surpassed 530 times by 149 individuals. Of these 149 individuals, 3 were born in Washington, DC or outside of the U.S. In the following database and subsequent links, you will see detailed statistical analysis of each player to achieve 3,000 or more yards passing in a season.

If this is you first visit to state by state football production rankings presented by Larry Rankin, then welcome and here is the format. Statistics are compiled by birth state. The table below has an overview of each state’s production of 3,000 yard passers. There are two ranking systems. To the right of the table you will have a ranking of each state by the overall number of performances, in this case 3,000 yard passing seasons.

To the left you will see a per capita ranking of states producing 3,000 yard passers. You will also see a per capita score. This score is determined by dividing the overall number of performances by said state’s current population. Then all the decimal places before the number are removed for a more visually digestible number.

The remainder of this installment will give detailed statistical analysis of every passer to meet or surpass the 3,000 yard passing mark for states 1-5 in per capita score. The remaining installments will give the same detailed analysis for all other states to qualify with a 3,000 yard passer as well as 3,000 yard passers for Washington, DC and non-U.S. regions.

Links to other installments are located in the text box in the upper right-hand corner and at the end of this installment. Links to other football production rankings can be found by clicking on the Larry Rankin profile in the upper right-hand corner of this page or via links at the end of this installment.

Per Capita Score: 970

3,000 Yard Passing Performances: 29

Coming first in per capita score is Mississippi. It seems they are in the top 2 or 3 of every per capita list. With a combination of wonderful athletes and a sparse population, pound for pound, their production of NFL elite is truly awesome.

Obviously the biggest name here is Brett Favre. He passed for over 3,000 yards in a seemingly inconceivable 18 straight seasons. For the time being he also holds the record for lifetime passing yards and touchdowns, though it seems he will eventually be passed by Peyton Manning in both categories.

And speaking of Mannings, Archie Manning, father of Peyton and Eli, was born in Mississippi as well. Archie Manning is considered by many to be the greatest QB to never have a chance. He played professionally for most of his career with the woeful Saints, and despite his talent, was never able to overcome the physical inferiority of the rest of his team.

Per Capita Score: 951

3,000 Yard Passing Performances: 44

Thus far there are two states that have shone brighter than any of the rest in our per capita rankings: Louisiana and Mississippi. Coming in just a few points behind Mississippi this time is Louisiana.

And if it hadn’t been for Archie Manning’s relocation from his birth state of Mississippi to Louisiana, the story for QB rankings would be much different. Archie’s sons Peyton and Eli are the main statistical contributors for the state of Louisiana.

Of the brothers Peyton has had the largest statistical impact in his career. His 5,477 yards passing in 2013 is the all-time record for yards in a season, as are the 55 touchdowns he had that same year. Barring injury, he should surpass Brett Favre in lifetime touchdowns sometime this season and all-time passing yards at some point in the 2015 season.

Though Peyton may not surpass Favre in lifetime 3,000 yard passing seasons, his 13 career 4,000 yard passing seasons is a record likely to stand the test of time.

Between Peyton and Eli there are 3 Super Bowl victories, but there is another name on this list with more championships than all Mannings combined. Though Terry Bradshaw played in a different era than the Manning brothers and his statistics reflect this, he guided the Pittsburgh Steelers to 4 Super Bowl Victories.

Per Capita Score: 582

3,000 Yard Passing Performances: 18

Coming in at third is Iowa. Though there are a number of recognizable names on this list, Kurt Warner stands above all others. His performances with the Rams during “the greatest show on turf” era were statistically awesome.

Also with Warner we have one of the most amazing NFL stories. Before being picked up by the Rams, he was playing Arena League football and bagging groceries for a supermarket in the offseason. At the end of Warner’s stay with the Rams, he had two Super Bowl appearances and one victory.

Then Warner’s career fell off yet again before his final resurgence, which led to a Super Bowl loss with the Arizona Cardinals.

Dubious Distinction: Hugh Millen’s 9 touchdown passes in 1991 for the Patriots are the fewest ever for a QB finishing a season with over 3,000 yards passing.

Per Capita Score: 525

3,000 Yard Passing Performances: 67

Pennsylvania has produced some of the most revolutionary players in the history of the quarterback position. Though it is difficult to summarize how much the state of Pennsylvania has done to shape the quarterback position, here are just a few of the milestones.

Johnny Unitas was among the first 3 players to crack the 3,000 yard passing season in 1960. His 3,099 yards was tops among the 3. In 1967 Joe Namath became the first player to ever pass for over 4,000 yards in a season, and in 1984 Dan Marino became the first ever to pass for over 5,000 yards in a season.

George Blanda played an NFL record 26 seasons. From 1990-1993 Jim Kelly guided the Bills to an NFL record 4 straight Super Bowls, though he would lose all four, and Joe Montana has most every Super Bowl passing efficiency record, 3 Super Bowl MVPs, and 4 Super Bowl rings.

Dubious Distinction: Though he didn’t quite throw for 3,000 yards that year, George Blanda threw an NFL record 42 interceptions in 1962.

Per Capita Score: 459

3,000 Yard Passing Performances: 32

The state of Washington has produced a number of good QBs, but the accomplishments of John Elway are by far the most impactful on NFL football. Though the Broncos’ offensive style was not as pass-orientated as others, Elway passed for over 3,000 yards on an impressive 12 occasions.

Elway had 5 Super Bowl appearances in his distinguished career, two in which he guided his team to victory. In addition, he was also a Super Bowl MVP.

Obscure Stats: Chris Chandler’s 327 pass attempts for the 1998 Atlanta Falcons are the fewest attempts a QB has finished a season with while breaking the 3,000 yard barrier.