The Answer:

According to Philadelphia newspaper reports, in a game on October 26, 1952 at the Polo Grounds against the Giants, Willey had 17 sacks in a 14-10 Eagles victory. Sacks were not recorded by the NFL in 1952, so Kansas City's Derrick Thomas still holds the official record of seven on November 11, 1990.

Fierle points out that Willey's total, although impressive, may not be completely accurate by today's standards. Some of those sacks would have been registered simply as tackles of other members of the backfield behind the line of scrimmage.

In a story by Football Weekly's Ron Pollack, even Willey has stopped endorsing 17 in public and admits it might have been just 15. Nevertheless, the afternoon was unforgettable for just about everyone — especially Giants' QB Charlie Conerly.

Besides Pollack's piece in Football Weekly called "The Legend of 'Wild Man' Willey, there is also a Philadelphia Daily News story called "1 Man, 1 game, 17 sacks." This NFL Features article, "The joy of sacks," may also be of interest.

—The Editors