Originating in 1961 as the "Bullets" which struggled to a winless season, the team would historically be known for it's success as the "Tyees" beginning in 1962 when it won back-to-back league championships under GNFA Hall of Famer Ben Hammond.

Wilbur Gary had a 52-yd punt return against Fort Lewis in Oct of 1961.

Jerry Thacker accounted for 1,469 yards and 9 touchdowns as a passer and runner while adding an INT against Olympic College on his way to Northwest Player of the Year honors and NPFL MVP.

1963: The Tyees lead the North Pacific Conference after four league games sparked by QB Jerry Thacker, OL Joe Kominski and the addition of FB Dan Wheatley, a former Seattle Rambler standout.  Kominski would be named the top player in the Northwest for 1963.

1964: With 6 minutes to go in a 40-0 rout of the Seattle Ramblers, the game was called by mutual agreement when former heavyweight boxer and Tyee tackle Dave Centi was injured and required transport to the hospital.

1965: QB Jerry Thacker was again, one of the key players for the Tyees as external pressures began to chip away at Tacoma.  Rumors and moves regarding the Continental Football League and "professional" football was drawing players to the Edmonds Warriors which was building a powerhouse during the 1964-65 seasons with future plans to be one of the expansion teams which would come to fruition as Lafa Lane took the Warriors into becoming the Seattle Rangers.  Likewise, across the sound, the Victoria Steelers would grow out of the Victoria Kats as a Continental League franchise under Lane's direction.

Only 23 players arrived in Eugene for a Nov 6, 1966 game with the Bombers to close out the season, and the franchise.  Ben Hammond would close out his career with the Steelers as a player, backing up the center position at the ripe old age of 34 for the 1967 season.

Split end George Jasmer, a 6-year Tyee veteran, signed with Montezuma Boxing Club and began his professional fight career.  In his first fight he scored a 1st round knockout of Dave Bulston in Coos Bay, Oregon.  His next opponent would be Dick Jones in a 4-round prelim on April 18, 1967.

Ben Hammond and Jerry Thacker were elected to the Greater Northwest Football Association Hall of Fame together in 2020.

Image: Tacoma Athletic Museum

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