Jack Horrigan

Who was Jack Horrigan?

Jack Horrigan was a sportswriter for the Buffalo Evening News and American Football League Public Relations Director who went on to serve in public relations for the Buffalo Bills. With Mike Rathet, he wrote the definitive book on the AFL, "The Other League - the Fabulous Story of the American Football League", with colorful graphics and action photos, which were not often used to present the AFL. The book also lists the name of every player who ever made an AFL roster.

It was at Horrigan's insistence that the merged leagues retained AFL team, coaching, and player records/statistics as official pro football records. Horrigan also helped develop the passer rating in current use, which, unlike the method previously used by the National Football League, allows players of different eras to be compared. The Pro Football Writers of America annually give the Jack Horrigan Memorial Award to a professional football official or player "for his or her professionalism in helping football writers do their job".