Dan Towler picks up yards behind Elroy Hirsh in the 1951 NFL Championship game against the Cleveland Browns. Towler ended up scoring a touchdown in the 24-17 upset of the powerhouse Browns.
Classic image of 2 NFL Greats pictured as Rookies in 1950. Leo Nomellini of Minnesota University, 1st-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers wraps up 25th-round Los Angeles Rams pick Dan Towler.
Nomellini played 14 seasons in San Francisco and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969. Towler had a shorter NFL career, only 6 years, but even after almost 70 years still ranks as the Rams #7 All Time Career Leading Rusher.
Even though Dan Towler didn't play in 1956, Topps had a card for him. In 56 he retired to become the full-time pastor of the Lincoln Avenue Methodist Church of Pasadena, California. But during the 6 seasons he played he had a 5.2 lifetime YPC average, led the NFL in rushing once, rushing touchdowns twice, went to 4 Pro Bowls and left the Rams as their All-Time leading rusher.
Battering ram of the 1950s.
I have great memories of knowing Dan Towler while I worked at The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. A true gentleman and great fundraiser for the Rams Foundation even though the Rams had moved to St. Louis.