When football player replaces a Hall of Famer, the task is high profile and pressure packed. I have seen this occur with these four football players and you can judge how well they did.
1961-John Brodie, San Francisco. After the 1960 season, the 49ers traded Y.A. Tittle to the New York Giants. John Brodie was the San Francisco quarterback until his retirement after the 1973 season. Brodie's big problem was the 49ers losing to the Dallas Cowboys in three consecutive post season games.
1970 Dallas beat San Francisco 17 to 10 in the NFC Championship Game
1971 Dallas beat San Francisco 14 to 3 in the NFC Championship Game
1972 in the First Round of the Playoffs. Dallas came from a 28 to 10 deficit early in the 4th quarter to win 30 to 28. Next to the loss to Detroit in the 1957 Western Conference playoff, this was the biggest rotten pear in the 49ers history.
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1961-Sonny Jurgensen, Philadelphia. After the Eagles won the 1960 Championship, Norman Van Brocklin retired. Jurgensen took over and directed the best passing attack in the league. Nevertheless, defense was a problem and the Eagles finished second to the New York Giants.
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1965-Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears. The Bears drafted Butkus after the 1964 season. Replacing HOF Bill George might overwhelm most players. Not so with Butkus. He became the premier linebacker of his time.
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1966 Leroy Kelley, Cleveland Browns. All Kelley had to do was replace Jim Brown. Though not Brown's equal, Leroy Kelley is in the HOF.