The legendary “Fearsome Foursome” of the Los Angeles Rams—Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones, Rosie Grier, and Lamar Lundy—pause together on the sideline, a rare moment of calm for one of the most dominant defensive units in NFL history. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, this Rams front four redefined defensive line play, combining speed, strength, and relentless pressure to overwhelm opposing offenses.
Deacon Jones, widely credited with coining the term “sack,” terrorized quarterbacks off the edge, while Merlin Olsen anchored the interior with consistency and intelligence. Flanked by the powerful Rosie Grier and the versatile Lamar Lundy, the group formed a near-unstoppable force that became the identity of the Rams defense during their rise as perennial contenders.
More than just stars, the Fearsome Foursome helped shape the modern pass rush, setting a standard for defensive dominance that still echoes throughout the game today.
The "Fearsome Foursome" of the LA Rams - Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier & Deacon Jones. Together from 1963 to 1966. Jones and Olsen are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
A classic NFL photo of Bart Starr in the 1962 NFL Championship dropping back behind an effective Packers Offensive Line blocking against the Giants’ defense. The Packers won 16-7.
Players shown here are - Packers offense Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, Forrest Gregg, Jerry Kramer, Jim Ringo and Bob Skoronski (Fuzzy Thurston is probably in there too). The Giants front 4, Jim Katcavage, Dick Modzelewski, Rosey Grier and Andy Robustelli.
Colts’ Tom Matte finds a bit of running room against a pack of Rams in the 1963 finale. The hard-running halfback piled up 130 rushing yards and two scores, including the clincher on a 14-yard strike from Johnny Unitas. Closing in, left to right, are Mike Henry, Lindon Crow, and ex-Giants Rosey Grier and Cliff Livingston.
A picture from a game program in 1965 (a game against the Colts). Deacon Jones was a 14th-round draft pick out of Mississippi Valley State in 1961. Rosey Grier was with the Giants from 1955-1962 and joined LA in 1963. Both were a big part of the Rams defense until 1966.
Early 1960s Giants and Eagles - Rosey Grier and Harland Svare team up to stop an Eagles runner, we think, in 1960. Other if this is 1960 that would make Eagle #65 Jerry Huth and the giant in the background Cliff Livingston.
Early 1960s NFL showdown between the Packers and Giants as the Golden Boy, Paul Hornung gets upfield against the Giants defense. Giants id'd in the picture- #76, Rosey Grier - Jim Katcavage, #75 and #31, Bill Winter. The other Packers are Forrest Gregg on the ground and & Jim Ringo.
The 1959 Title game between the Giants and Colts as Johnny Unitas hands off the fullback Billy Pricer with Colts blockers Jim Parker, Art Spinney and Buzz Nutter in front. It appears only Giant Rosey Grier is on hand to defend.
Unitas, the league's top passer in 1959, had an excellent day leading his Colts to a win passing for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for another. Final score Colts 31 Giants 16.
Colts runner Alan Ameche hits the line of scrimmage to score during the 1958 NFL Title game against the Giants. Lots of great names here - Rosey Grier (#76) and Jim Parker (#77) battle to the far left as Buzz Nutter (#50) holds off Sam Huff (#70). Rosey Brown (#79) in the center, normally on offense looks like he's on the Giant's goal-line defense. Hall of Famer Emlen Tunnell (#45) can be seen in the back beyond Ameche. Unitas (#19) is there of course and behind him is linebacker Cliff Livingston (#89).
From the 1962 NFL Title Game between the Packers and the Giants. Bart Starr turns to hand off the running back Paul Hornung. 3 Jerry Kramer field goals proved to be the difference as the Packers took the title 16-7. Giant #76 is Rosey Grier and Packer #63 is Fuzzy Thurston.
Rams and Colts - 1964. Rosey Grier (#76) moves in to stop fullback Jerry Hill (#45) as Hill takes a handoff from quarterback Johnny Unitas (#19). Colt #52 is center Dick Szymanski and the Ram to the far right, #89 is linebacker Cliff Livingston.
Another image of that great NY Giants defense of the early 1960s - here Rosey Grier, Sam Huff & Dick Modzelewski converge on Redskins QB Ralph Guglielmi. We think Redskin #65 is guard Vince Promuto.
Half of the Fearsome Foursome of the LA Rams defense of the mid-1960s - Rosey Grier (#76) & Merlin Olsen (#74). Olsen was a 1st round pick out of Utah state in 1962 and Grier joined the Rams in 1963 after 7 seasons in New York. They were together until 1966.
Packers great Jim Taylor runs past Giants defensive tackle Rosey Grier (#76) and over (we think) cornerback Dick Lynch. The picture is from the 1962 Giants-Packers NFL Title game. Taylor was the games leading ground gainer with 85 yards and a touchdown as Green Bay came out on top 16-7.
Two big reasons for the success of the Giants defense in the late 1950s and early 1960s - linebacker Sam Huff (#70) and defensive tackle Rosey Grier (#76).
In a photo from his days at Penn State - played 7 seasons with the Giants then 4 with the Rams. All Pro in 1956 when the Giants won an NFL title.
2 of the members of the Rams original Fearsome Foursome defense of the early 1960s. Rosey Grier (#76) & Merlin Olsen (#74). Grier was with the Rams from 1963 to 1966. Olsen was in Los Angeles his entire 15-year NFL career.
The New York Giants defense of the Early 1960s. With the exception of #82 linebacker Tom Scott, this was the Giants lineup for most of the late 50s as well. From left to right - Tom Scott (#82), Andy Robustelli (#81), Sam Huff (#70), Rosey Grier (#76), Dick Modzelewski (#77) & Jim Katcavage (#75). We also think the players visible behind Grier and Modzelewski are Erich Barnes (#49) and Cliff Livingston (#89).
Down goes Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas (#19) under the weight of Rams lineman Merlin Olsen (#74) and Rosey Grier (#76)
Action from the 1956 Giants-Bears Championship game of 1956. Herman Clark (#65) and Stan Jones (#78) pulling out to block while JC Caroline (#25) leads Bears runner Bobby Watkins (#45). Giants defender Rosey Grier (#76) swoops in from behind. Other players noted are Giants Andy Robustelli (#81) and Bill Svoboda (#30). For the Bears there's QB Ed Brown (#15) & End Jim Dooley (#43). When it was all over the Giants ended up dominating the Bears 47-7.
Newly acquired from the Browns Bobby Mitchell quickly earned his spot on the Redskins roster in 1962. Here he out distances Rosey Grier (#76), Sam Huff (#70), Dan Modzelewski (#77) and the rest of the Giants defense.
Eagles fullback Clarence Peaks is caught between 2 Giants as big Rosey Grier (#76) and Dick Modzelewski (#77) put the heat on quarterback Sonny Jurgensen (#9).
1966 Colts & Rams. Fullback Tony Lorick is taken down by Deacon Jones and Rosey Grier.
Browns quarterback Milt Plum looks for a way to deliver a pass around the oncoming rush of Giants Rosey Grier
Packers Hall of Fame QB Bart Starr gets a well placed whack across his nose from Ram defender Rosey Grier.
Rams Hall of Fame Defenders from the mid-1960s, Deacon Jones and Rosey Grier combine to stop Colts runner Tony Lorick.
1961 New York Giants Defense in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dick Lynch (#22), Rosey Grier (#76) & Sam Huff (#70) swarm over the Steelers Hall of Fame runner John Henry Johnson - recognizable only by the number on his helmet. Also shown are the Giants Cliff Livingston (#89) and the Steelers Dan James (#55). The unidentified Giant behind Grier may be Dick Nolan (#25).
The Hall of Fame quarterback is brought down by Rams legend Deacon Jones as Rosey Grier comes in to support.
