Image Gallery of Tom Fears | NFL Past Players

Image Gallery of Tom Fears, Receiver 1948-1956

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico he was was drafted by the Army Corps of Engineers and served as a flight instructor during World War II. An All-American at UCLA he was an 11th round draft pick of the Cleveland Rams (they moved to Los Angeles soon after) in 1945. Finishing his schooling he joined the Rams in 1948 and quickly emerged as one of the NFL's top receivers when he led the league with 51 catches. The following season he not only lead the league again but set a new NFL record with 77 catches. In 1950 he made the All Pro team, leading the NFL a third straight year while breaking his previous mark an establishing another Pro Football record of 84 catches. Named to the Hall of Fame in 1970.

Named to the NFL 1950s Al-Decade Team he lead the NFL in receiving 3 straight seasons setting new records twice. Set the record for Most Catches in a Game in 1950 when he had 18 catches against Green Bay. That record stood until the 2000 season. In the 1950 Divisional Playoff Round against the Chicago Bears he caught 7 passes for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns. The next week in the Championship game loss to the Cleveland Browns he had 9 catches for 136 yards.

Originally assigned as a Defensive Back when he left UCLA in 1947 the Rams coaching staff felt his ball-hawking skills were used at the receiving position. It turned out to be a wise decision as the led the NFL in receptions his first 3 years in the league. To this day, over 50 years later, he still ranks #6 on the All-Time Rams Career Catches (400) and Yards (5397) and #7 on All-Time Touchdown Catches (38).

2 Hall of Fame receivers from the high-powered offense that was the early 1950s Rams. Both members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame 1950s All-Decade Team.

billy kilmer tom fears saints sideline 1968

1950 NFL action between the Bears and Rams - Tom Fears, All-Pro receiver for Los Angeles makes a catch against Bears legend George McAfee. In 1950 Fears led the NFL with a then record of 84 catches and 1116 yards.

Quarterback Billy Kilmer and Head Coach Tom Fears of the New Orleans Saints. Both joined the expansion Saints in 1967 and by the start of the 1971 season both were gone.

Tom Fears Football Cards

His 1955 Bowman Card. It was his 8th year in the league and while his numbers may have appeared modest compared to previous seasons he still led the Rams in receiving as well as ranking #3 in the NFL for catches. His totals for the season were 44 catches, 569 yards and 2 touchdowns.

From his last season of a 9-year career. Unfortunately a pre-season injury slowed him down to the point he had but 5 catches. Retired before the season ended but stayed on as an assistant coach with the Rams.

Tom Fears Career Receiving Statistics

Career Receiving
Year	Age	Team	Games	Catches	Yards	Long	Y/R	TD
1948	26	RAM	12	51♦	698	80	13.7	4
1949	27	RAM	12	77♦	1013	51	13.2	9♦
1950*+	28	RAM	12	84♦	1116♦	53	13.3	7
1951	29	RAM	7	32	528	54	16.5	3
1952	30	RAM	12	48	600	36	12.5	6
1953	31	RAM	8	23	278	31	12.1	4
1954	32	RAM	10	36	546	43	15.2	3
1955	33	RAM	12	44	569	31	12.9	2
1956	34	RAM	2	5	49	18	9.8	0
9-Year Career Totals			87	400	5397	80	13.5	38

* - Pro Bowl Selection
+ - All-Pro Selection
♦ - Led the League

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table

Tom Fears

Image Gallery of Tom Fears, Receiver 1948-1956

Tom Fears Football Cards

Tom Fears Career Receiving Statistics

For some good additional reading:

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Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams Most Yards Passing in a Career

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Image Gallery of Tom Fears, Receiver 1948-1956

Tom Fears Football Cards

Tom Fears Career Receiving Statistics

For some good additional reading:

More Past NFL Greats!

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