Rams Legends | Los Angeles Rams - therams.com
Eric Dickerson, a two-time All-America choice at Southern Methodist, was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. An immediate success, he established rookie records for most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808) and most touchdowns rushing (18). His efforts earned him All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.
Read MoreDeacon Jones, who had had an obscure college career preceding his 14th-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1961 draft, quickly blossomed into a superb defensive end. Blessed with speed, agility, and quickness, the “Deacon” became one of the finest pass rushers in the business. Yet had it not been for the chance observation of two Rams scouts viewing films of an opponent, he might never have had a chance to play pro football. When the scouts noted that the 6-4, 272-pound tackle was outrunning the backs they were scouting, they recommended Jones as a sleeper pick.
Read MoreJack Youngblood, a 6-4, 247-pound All-American from the University of Florida, excelled for 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams from 1971 to 1984. As the 20th player selected in the first round of the 1971 draft, Youngblood made his presence felt almost immediately.
He did so well as a backup to superstar "Deacon" Jones at left defensive end as a rookie that the Rams traded Jones before the 1972 season. Youngblood divided his playing time with Fred Dryer that year, then took over as the starting left defensive end in his third campaign in 1973. He played with distinction at that position the rest of his 202-game career.
Read MoreKurt Warner’s unique path to the National Football League started with several seasons of play in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe. He signed as free agent with the St. Louis Rams in 1998 and saw only brief action in the last game of the season when injuries ravaged the Rams quarterbacks.
Warner was abruptly handed the reins as the starting quarterback in 1999 when Trent Green, the Rams’ big free agent acquisition in the offseason, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. Warner made the most of the opportunity and began a “Cinderella Story” for the ages. With Warner at the helm, he led an explosive offense that scored 526 points. Warner passed for 4,353 yards and a league-leading 41 TDs to post a 109.2 rating, the first of two career passing crowns.
He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player that year as the Rams posted a 13-3-0 mark. The team cruised through the playoffs and capped the magical season with a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. Warner set a Super Bowl record with 414 passing yards and threw a pair of touchdowns to lead the Rams to their first Super Bowl title and was named the game’s MVP.
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