61 days till Arizona Cardinals' opener: Remembering the 1961 season

We continue the countdown to the start of the Arizona Cardinals' regular season. Today, Tuesday, July 14, is 61 days away from the Arizona Cardinals' regular-season opener on Sept. 13 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.

With 61 days until Week 1, let's look back at the 1961 season for the Cardinals.

A look back at the 1961 season for the Cardinals

The 1961 season was the second year for the Cardinals in St. Louis. They went 7-7 that season. They averaged 19.9 points per game, which was 10th in the league out of 14 teams. They allowed 19.1, which was the fourth fewest points allowed per game.

1961 individual honors, leaders

The Cardinals had five Pro Bowlers in 1961.

• S Jerry Norton
• CB Jimmy Hill
• CB Billy Stacy
• WR Sonny Randle
• RG Ken Gray

Sam Etcheverry started nine of the 14 games at quarterback. He passed for 1,275 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Prentice Gautt was their leading rusher with 523 yards and three touchdowns.

Randle was the leading pass catcher with 44 receptions for 591 yards and nine touchdowns.

Norton picked off seven passes and returned two for touchdowns. He also led the NFL in punts and punt yardage. Hill and Stacy both picked off four passes, and Stacy returned two for scores.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 61 days till Arizona Cardinals' opener: Remembering the 1961 season