Jack Youngblood, a 6-4, 247-pound All-America from the University of Florida, excelled for 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams from 1971 to 1984
Youngblood was selected 20th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1971 NFL Draft.
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.
He played in a Rams’ record 201 consecutive games and only missed one game in 14 seasons, that one miss coming in his final year in 1984.
The Rams’ defensive captain, he was a three-time winner of the Dan Reeves Award given to that team’s most valuable player each season.
Youngblood was All-Pro in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, and 1979 and All-NFC seven times. He played in seven straight Pro Bowls following each season from 1973 to 1979.
Youngblood earned election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He tapped former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen (right) to serve as his presenter.
Jack Youngblood poses with his Hall of Fame bust.
Jack Youngblood's Hall of Fame mural.
Jack Youngblood's Hall of Fame bust.