Yes, football (and horse racing) seemed to be a lot more exciting and fun back then. Remember San Diego's Dan Fouts's long passes to John Jefferson? One time Oakland Raider, former Boston Patriots, Jim Plunkett (Ken Stabler's replacement at Oakland) threw a few long bombs, too.
http://www.fantasyfootballchallenge.com/103-23-1981/1981-oakland-raiders-roster.html