John Turney and Nick Webster made headlines this summer with the release of their sack-crediting statistics for the 1960 to 1981 NFL seasons. Their exhaustive research — including countless hours of viewing of priceless NFL game film — yielded many surprising results and long-overdue credit for iconic NFL stars like Deacon Jones, Jack Younglood, Alan Page, Al "Bubba" Baker and the Steel Curtain. John gives a behind-the-scenes look into the leg work that produced these eye-opening sack results, as well as his take on:

• The usage of 3-4, nickel and dime defenses throughout the eras
• The "what ifs" of the NFL vs. the AFL and legendary vs. contemporary players
• Current NFL issues

John's blog, Pro Football Journal: https://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/

The Professional Football Researchers Association: https://profootballresearchers.org/

The Sports Reference announcement of inclusion of the unofficial 1960-1981 NFL sack statistics on Pro Football Reference:
https://www.sports-reference.com/blog/2021/07/pre-1982-sacks-added-to-pro-football-reference/

The official Pro Football Reference entry on the 1960-1981 sack research results:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/sacks_single_season.htm?sr&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=Share&utm_campaign=ShareTool#sacks_all_leaders

How John and Nick's research shed light on the sack performances of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers:
https://steelersnow.com/new-pre-1982-sack-research-puts-steel-curtains-accomplishments-into-new-perspective/
https://steelersdepot.com/2021/07/ever-wondered-how-many-sacks-the-steel-curtain-had-now-we-know/
https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/13/steelers-nfl-sacks-2021-lc-greenwood-joe-greene/
The APBA Football Club's/APBA Football Handbook gallery of 1970s Topps football cards indicating team sack leaders:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=105036975104536&set=a.133353258939574
Al "Bubba" Baker's PFR page (his 1978 APBA Football rookie card gives him 5 points and a J-0 injury grade; Al ends up unofficially as the single-season NFL sack leader with 23):
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BakeAl00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-