Ed Meador: Rams Defensive Star of the 1960s

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Ed Meador was a seventh-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1959 after playing his college football at Arkansas Tech. He quickly earned a starting role in the Rams’ secondary and was named the team’s Rookie Defensive Player of the Year. Meador went on to spend his entire 12-year NFL career with Los Angeles, appearing in 163 games before retiring after the 1970 season.

Meador became one of the Rams’ most solid defensive players throughout the 1960s. He earned six Pro Bowl selections and was named an All-Pro twice. His contributions were recognized by the organization when he was named the Rams’ Most Valuable Player in both 1964 and 1965. Meador also occasionally returned kicks and served as the holder on extra-point and field-goal attempts. His versatility added to his value during an era when players were often expected to contribute in several different roles.

Meador’s career numbers remain impressive in the Rams’ record books. His 46 interceptions still rank first in franchise history, while his five interceptions returned for touchdowns are tied for the franchise lead with Leroy Irvin. He also shares the Rams’ franchise record for fumble recoveries, with 22, alongside safety Johnnie Johnson, who played for Los Angeles during the 1980s. Ed Meador’s 10 blocked kicks are another mark in the Ram’s history books, ranking first in team history.

Following his retirement in 1970, Ed Meador continued to receive recognition for his contributions to the game. He has been named to the Rams’ All-Time Team by multiple organizations, and several sports outlets, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame, have recognized him on many All-1960s Decade teams.

Ed Meador Image Gallery

He retired in 1970 but he is still #1 on the Rams Franchise's All-Time Interception List. In his 12 years in Los Angeles, he has 46 pass interceptions.

Defensive Captain for much of his 12-year NFL in Los Angles, Defensive Back Ed Meador of Arkansas Tech.

5 Pro Bowls and 2 All Pro Teams

Ram All-Pro Ed Meador with 1 of his 46 interceptions he had during his 12 years in the NFL.

Rams Pro Bowler Ed Meador squares up for a heavy collision as Vikings fullback Bill Brown charges forward behind his blockers.

So many great names on those Los Angeles Rams defenses of late decade of the 1960s. Ranked in the NFL's Top 10 every year he was there as a starter. Here he walks to the sidelines accompanied by All-Pro Safety Ed Meador.

His time with the Los Angeles Rams was well spent. In contrast with his days at Pittsburgh, the Rams fielded a much more successful franchise that enjoyed a winning season every year he was there as well as one of the top defenses in the NFL at the time. Here, along with team mates Maxie Baughan (#55) and Ed Meador (#21) Redskins receiver Jerry Smith is rudely brought down after a catch.

Ed Meador Football Cards

Ed Meador All-Time Career Statistics

Career Regular Season Defense Totals
Season	Age	Team	#	Pos	Games	Starts	Int	Yards	Long	INT TDs	Fumble Recoveries	FR Yards
1959	22	RAM	21	RDH	12	11	3	3	3	0	0	0
1960*	23	RAM	21	LCB	12	12	4	46	26	1	0	0
1961	24	RAM	21	LCB	14	14	1	34	34	0	5	0
1962	25	RAM	21	LCB	14	14	1	0	0	0	2	3
1963	26	RAM	21	LCB	14	13	6	38	20	0	1	0
1964*	27	RAM	21	FS	14	14	3	50	30	0	2	0
1965*	28	RAM	21	FS	14	14	2	57	29	0	2	34
1966*	29	RAM	21	FS	14	14	5	60	31	0	3	0
1967*	30	RAM	21	FS	14	14	8	103	30	2	2	0
1968*+	31	RAM	21	FS	14	14	6	37	20	0	4	3
1969+	32	RAM	21	FS	14	14	5	97	38	2	1	0
1970	33	RAM	21	FS	13	13	2	22	12	0	0	0
12 Years		Rams			163	161	46♥	547	38	5♥	22	40

Career Post Season Defense Table
Season	Age	Team	Pos	Games	Int	Yards	Long	INT TDs	Fumble Recoveries	FR Yards	FR TDs	Sacks
1967	30	RAM	FS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0

1969	32	RAM	FS	1	1	15	15	0	0	0	0	0.0
Total		Rams		2	1	15	15	0	0	0	0	0.0

All-Time Passing Totals
Season	Age	Team	Pos	#	Games	Att	Comp	Cmp%	Yards	Y/A	Long	TD	Int	Rate	Sacked	Yards
1962	25	RAM	LCB	21	14	0	0		0			0	0		1	25

1964	27	RAM	FS	21	14	1	0	0.0	0	0.0		0	0	39.6	0	0
1965	28	RAM	FS	21	14	1	0	0.0	0	0.0		0	0	39.6	0	0
1966	29	RAM	FS	21	14	1	0	0.0	0	0.0		0	0	39.6	0	0
1967	30	RAM	FS	21	14	1	1	100.0	18	18.0	18	1	0	158.3	0	0

1969	32	RAM	FS	21	14	1	0	0.0	0	0.0		0	0	39.6	0	0
12 Years		Rams			163	5	1	20.0	18	3.6	18	1	0	81.7	1	25

All-Time Rushing Totals
Season	Age	Team	Games	Carries	Yards	Y/A	Long	TD
1963	26	RAM	14	1	1	1.0	1	0

1965	28	RAM	14	2	35	17.5	24	1
1966	29	RAM	14	1	7	7.0	7	0

1968	31	RAM	14	1	11	11.0	11	0
1969	32	RAM	14	1	5	5.0	5	0
Totals		Rams	163	6	59	9.8	24	1

All Time Kick & Punt Returns Totals
				Punt					Kick					All Purpose Yards
Season	Age	Team	Games	Returns	Yards	Y/Ret	Long	PR TDs	Returns	Yards	Y/Ret	Lonng	KRTD	All Purpose Yards
1959	22	RAM	12	1	0	0.0	0	0	0	0		0	0	3
1960	23	RAM	12	1	0	0.0	0	0	0	0		0	0	46

1964	27	RAM	14	2	9	4.5	9	0	6	148	24.7	30	0	207

1967	30	RAM	14	21	131	6.2	22	0	0	0		0	0	234
1968	31	RAM	14	17	136	8.0	40	0	1	20	20.0	20	0	207
1969	32	RAM	14	1	-1	-1.0	-1	0	0	0		0	0	101
Totals		Rams	163	43	275	6.4	40	0	7	168	24.0	30	0	1089