Jack Youngblood, Class of 2001

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Jack Youngblood's Hall of Fame mural.

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Jack Youngblood's bust.

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Jack Youngblood, an All-America from the University of Florida, was the 20th player selected in the first round of the 1971 draft by the Rams, he made his presence felt almost immediately.

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Youngblood 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.

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Youngblood was a dominant defender and the Rams’ perennial quarterback sack leader.

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Youngblood was All-Pro in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, and 1979 and All-NFC seven times.

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One of Jacks most outstanding single-game performances came against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1975 playoff game. Youngblood recorded one sack, one forced fumble, one blocked extra-point attempt and returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown.

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In 2001, former teammate and Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen presented Youngblood for induction into the Hall of Fame.

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Jack 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.

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During Jack's tenure, the Rams played in five NFC championship games and they advanced to Super Bowl XIV following the 1979 season.

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Youngblood divided his playing time with Fred Dryer and then took over as the starting left defensive end in his third campaign in 1973.

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Youngblood was the Rams' defensive captain during his career.

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Jack played in seven straight Pro Bowls following each season from 1973 to 1979.

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Youngblood was a three-time winner of the Dan Reeves Award given to that team’s most valuable player each season.