There has been alot of History made on the way to our 500th win.
On January 11th, 1946 Dan Reeves (Owner) of the Cleveland RAMS pressured the NFL to allow his team to relocate because of poor fan attendance figures. He wanted to move the team to Los Angeles and it's 92,000 seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. So in 1946 the deal was struck but the Commissioners of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum had a stipulation. The NFL didn't allow African-Americans to play in the league. So part of the agreement was that the RAMS had to be intergrated. As a result, the team signed UCLA players Kenny Washington and Woody Strode, who became the first two blacks to play in the NFL, Post World War II.
In 1948, halfback Fred Gehrke painted horns on the RAMS helmets, making the first modern helmet emblem in pro football.
The (9-1) RAMS won their first league Championship in 1945 defeating the Redskins 15-14. They won their next league Championship in 1951 defeating the Browns 24-17.
Memorable Headcoaches (winning %, Superbowls or League Championships)
1945-46 Adam Walsh (16-5-1) .772, League Championship 1945
1950-52 Joe Stydahar (19-9) .678, League Championship 1951
1966-70 George Allen (49-19-4) .708
1973-77 Chuck Knox (57-20-1) .737
1978-82 Ray Malavasi (43-36) .544 Lead us to our first Superbowl appearance.
1997-99 Dick vermeil (25-26) .490 Lead us to our first and only Superbowl win.
2000-05 Mike Martz (56-36) .608 Lead us to our third Superbowl appearance.
RETIRED NUMBERS:
#7- Bob Waterfield
#29-Eric Dickerson
#74-Merlin Olson
#78-Jackie Slater
#85-Jack Youngblood
RAMS in the Hall of Fame:
HC- George Allen
#76- Bob Brown
#29- Eric Dickerson
#55- Tom Fears
#40- Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch
#75- Deacon Jones
#65- Tom Mack
#74- Merlin Olson
Owner- Dan Reeves
#78- Jackie Slater
#25- Norm Van Brocklin
#7- Bob Waterfield
#85- Jack Youngblood
There have been alot of memorable games on the way to our 500th win. I'm going to list the games that stick out in my mind. I'm sure we all have differing opinions on which memorable games apply.
First of all starting back in 1969 either the Minnesota Vikings or the Dallas Cowboys prevented us from making the Superbowl on numerous occassions.
Here's a build up to my first memorable game.
1969-RAMS lost to the Vikings (23-20) in the Conference Championship game.
1973-RAMS lost to the Cowboys (27-16) in the Divisional Playoffs.
1974-RAMS lost to the Vikings (14-10) in the Conference Championship game.
1975-RAMS lost to the Cowboys (37-7) in the Conference Championship game.
1976-RAMS lost to the Vikings (24-13) in the Conference Championship game.
1977-RAMS lost to the Vikings (14-7) in the Divisional Playoffs.
1978-RAMS lost to the Cowboys (28-0) in the Conference Championship game.
Are you sick of the Vikings and Cowboys yet?
Memorable games = ***
1979-Rams Finally beat the Cowboys*** (21-19) Lead by Headcoach Ray Malavasi. We then went on to shutout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ***(9-0). We made it, we finally made it to the Superbowl, #XIV. Our opponets was the Mighty Pittsburgh Steelers***.
Superbowl XIV was very memorable for me because first of all we were in it. Most of all because I felt like our (9-7) RAMS were going to get embarrassed on the big stage.
Quite the contrary, the RAMS made me proud for 3 quarters of hard hitting back and forth football. We actually had the lead after 3 quarters 19-17. The 4th quarter spelled our doom and we lost 31-19. Great game though.
1999- There is one regular season game from 99" that is very memorable for me. The opponent was the dreaded Whiners***. The Whiners had beaten us 17 straight games dating back to 1990. Our first matchup of the 99" season was in the DOME and we beat the Whiners 41-20.
Still in 1999- The playoff beating we layed on the Minnesota Vikings*** to the tune of 49-37, the game wasn't even that close. Also it was that old nemisis Viking franchise.
Still in 1999- "The Catch" by Ricky Proehl to lead us past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers*** 11-6. Funny how getting to our first two Superbowl appearances we had to defeat Tampa Bay.
SUPERBOWL XXXIV***- By far is the most memorable game in my opinion. For obvious reasons, WE WON!!!!
2001- We beat the Packers*** in the playoffs (45-17), intercepting Brett Favre 6 times and forcing 2 fumbles for a total of 8 takeaways.
Still in 2001- After leading the Conference Championship game for most of the first half only to have the Philadelphia Eagles*** take the lead 17-13 with :50 left in the half. Then very un-Mike Martz like, Martz starts out the 2nd half by calling 7 straight Marshall Faulk running plays. The move accomplished 2 things, first we marched down the field to kick a fg and bring us within 1 point but also let the EAGLES know we weren't one dimensional and they needed to adjust to our new plan of attack. This victory was clinched when Aeneas Williams intercepted Donovan McNabb thwarting the Eagles final drive. RAMS win 29-24!!!
SUPERBOWL XXXVI***- A memorable game for all the wrong reasons. Don't get me started!
2004 playoffs- Our (8-8) RAMS go on the road and beat the Seattle Seahawks***, 27-20.
With the score tied 20-20
Marc Bulger hits Cam Cleeland with a 17 yard touchdown pass. Seattle with 2:05 on the game clock start a drive that brings them to the RAMS 5 yard line. 4th and 4, :27 left in the game. Matt Hasselbeck throws a pass that hits Bobby Engram in the chest in the end zone. Engram drops the pass!!!! Engram dropped the ball!!! WE WIN, WE WIN!!!!
As I stated earlier, I'm sure we all have our favorite/memorable games. Please share with us the details of your favorites/ memorables.
:r