Earl Faison
Encyclopedia
Earl Faison was an American college and Professional Football
player who played in the American Football League between 1960 and 1966. Drafted by both the Detroit Lions
of the National Football League
and the Los Angeles Chargers
of the AFL
, Faison signed with the Chargers as a first-round pick immediately after the conclusion of the East-West Shrine Game
on December 31, 1960.
The 6-foot-5, 260 pound Faison had been an All-American at Indiana University
, playing on both offense and defense. After entering the pro ranks, he worked with Chargers' assistant coach Chuck Noll
to continually blow past opposing offensive lineman on his way to smashing American Football League
quarterbacks.
Faison was a member of the original "Fearsome Foursome"
(the Chargers' defensive line) from 1961-66. The “Foursome” was made up of Faison and Hall of Fame linemate Ernie Ladd
, with alternate members of the group including Bob Petrich
, Ron Nery
, George Gross
, Bill Hudson and Henry Schmidt
.
Despite often being double and triple-teamed, Faison was chosen as the American Football League Rookie of the Year
and All-AFL in 1961. He missed the early portion of the 1962 season, after suffering a knee injury, then reported late the following year after a contract dispute. The contract problems would resurface in 1965, but his performance remained good enough to continue a string of four consecutive All-Star seasons in the league from 1961 to 1964.
On January 15, 1966, Faison and Ladd were dealt to the Houston Oilers
as part of a five-player trade, but four days later, the trade was nullified because of tampering by Oilers' owner Bud Adams
. In response, Faison looked to the Canadian Football League
's Toronto Argonauts
, but eventually signed a three-year $90,000 contract with the Chargers on July 29.
The bitter contract problems, coupled with Faison's back problems, continued to linger until October 18 when Faison was released by the Chargers. In announcing the dismissal, Gillman bitterly noted that Faison, "has a long way to go to become average." One day later, the expansion Miami Dolphins signed Faison for the remainder of the year.
On June 27, 1967, Faison was involved in a seven-player trade that sent him to the Denver Broncos
, but 10 days later, the team returned him back to the Dolphins, who then placed him on waivers on July 24. Faison's release led him to file a lawsuit against Miami on October 6, citing breach of contract. Claiming that his three-year contract entitled him to the remaining $60,000 over two years, Faison was ultimately unsuccessful in his lawsuit.
A member of the Chargers Hall of Fame, Faison was also inducted into the Indiana University
Hall of Fame in 1990. In his post-playing career, Faison briefly dabbled in acting, including a pair of appearances in The Beverly Hillbillies
. He then returned to California
as an educator and football coach, and while at Lincoln High School, he served as head coach during the era of future Pro Football Hall of Fame
r Marcus Allen
before eventually serving as the school's principal. He later coached P.E. at Muirlands Junior High School in La Jolla. It was there that he coined the term "grabasser" for unruly students.
Earl Faison is a member of The Pigskin Club Of Washington, D.C.
National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
In 1997, Faison was also inducted by the San Diego Hall of Champions
into the Breitbard Hall of Fame honoring San Diego's finest athletes both on and off the playing surface.http://www.sdhoc.com/awards/hall-of-fame/football/earl-faison/
Professional football
In the United States and Canada, the term professional football includes the professional forms of American and Canadian gridiron football. In common usage, it refers to former and existing major football leagues in either country...
player who played in the American Football League between 1960 and 1966. Drafted by both the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and the Los Angeles Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the AFL
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
, Faison signed with the Chargers as a first-round pick immediately after the conclusion of the East-West Shrine Game
East-West Shrine Game
The East–West Shrine Game is an annual post-season college football all-star game played each January since 1925. The game is sponsored by the fraternal group Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the net proceeds are earmarked to some of the Shrine's charitable works, most notably the Shriners...
on December 31, 1960.
The 6-foot-5, 260 pound Faison had been an All-American at Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
, playing on both offense and defense. After entering the pro ranks, he worked with Chargers' assistant coach Chuck Noll
Chuck Noll
Charles Henry "Chuck" Noll is a former professional American football player and coach, and a member of the Sid Gillman coaching tree. He served most notably as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League from 1969 to 1991...
to continually blow past opposing offensive lineman on his way to smashing American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
quarterbacks.
Faison was a member of the original "Fearsome Foursome"
Fearsome Foursome (football)
The "Fearsome Foursome" was a title first used in reporting American Professional Football, when referring to the dominating defensive lines of the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League in the early 1960s, the New York Giants, Detroit Lions and most widely, the Los Angeles Rams of the...
(the Chargers' defensive line) from 1961-66. The “Foursome” was made up of Faison and Hall of Fame linemate Ernie Ladd
Ernie Ladd
Ernest "Ernie" Ladd , nicknamed "The Big Cat" was an American collegiate and professional football player and a professional wrestler.-Pro Football career:...
, with alternate members of the group including Bob Petrich
Bob Petrich
Robert Earl "Bob" Petrich is a former professional American football defensive end in the American Football League. He played five seasons for the San Diego Chargers and the Buffalo Bills ....
, Ron Nery
Ron Nery
Ronald Duane Nery was a professional American football defensive end in the American Football League. He played four seasons for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers , the Denver Broncos , and the Houston Oilers ....
, George Gross
George Gross (American football)
George Gross was an American Professional Football defensive tackle in the American Football League. He played five seasons for the AFL's San Diego Chargers. He joined the Chargers' outstanding defensive line, first known as the "Fearsome Foursome", playing with DEs Bob Petrich and Earl Faison...
, Bill Hudson and Henry Schmidt
Henry Schmidt
For the 1903 Brooklyn Superbas baseball pitcher, see Henry Schmidt Henry Joseph Schmidt is a former college and professional American football defensive tackle.-Professional career:...
.
Despite often being double and triple-teamed, Faison was chosen as the American Football League Rookie of the Year
American Football League Rookies of the Year
In each year of its ten-year existence , numerous sports-news services named their choice for the American Football League's best first-year player...
and All-AFL in 1961. He missed the early portion of the 1962 season, after suffering a knee injury, then reported late the following year after a contract dispute. The contract problems would resurface in 1965, but his performance remained good enough to continue a string of four consecutive All-Star seasons in the league from 1961 to 1964.
On January 15, 1966, Faison and Ladd were dealt to the Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
as part of a five-player trade, but four days later, the trade was nullified because of tampering by Oilers' owner Bud Adams
Bud Adams
Kenneth Stanley "Bud" Adams, Jr. is the owner of the Tennessee Titans' National Football League franchise. He was instrumental in the founding and establishment of the former American Football League. Adams became a charter AFL owner with the establishment of the Titans franchise, which was...
. In response, Faison looked to the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
's Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
, but eventually signed a three-year $90,000 contract with the Chargers on July 29.
The bitter contract problems, coupled with Faison's back problems, continued to linger until October 18 when Faison was released by the Chargers. In announcing the dismissal, Gillman bitterly noted that Faison, "has a long way to go to become average." One day later, the expansion Miami Dolphins signed Faison for the remainder of the year.
On June 27, 1967, Faison was involved in a seven-player trade that sent him to the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but 10 days later, the team returned him back to the Dolphins, who then placed him on waivers on July 24. Faison's release led him to file a lawsuit against Miami on October 6, citing breach of contract. Claiming that his three-year contract entitled him to the remaining $60,000 over two years, Faison was ultimately unsuccessful in his lawsuit.
A member of the Chargers Hall of Fame, Faison was also inducted into the Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
Hall of Fame in 1990. In his post-playing career, Faison briefly dabbled in acting, including a pair of appearances in The Beverly Hillbillies
The Beverly Hillbillies
The Beverly Hillbillies is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for nine seasons on CBS from 1962 to 1971, starring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer, Jr....
. He then returned to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
as an educator and football coach, and while at Lincoln High School, he served as head coach during the era of future Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
r Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
before eventually serving as the school's principal. He later coached P.E. at Muirlands Junior High School in La Jolla. It was there that he coined the term "grabasser" for unruly students.
Earl Faison is a member of The Pigskin Club Of Washington, D.C.
The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C.
The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., Inc. was founded in 1938 with the goals of "improving relationship between persons interested in the game of football; that there may be given encouragement for good, clean sport; that there may be a more perfect understanding among such persons; and, that...
National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
In 1997, Faison was also inducted by the San Diego Hall of Champions
San Diego Hall of Champions
The San Diego Hall of Champions is an American multi-sport museum in San Diego, California. Located in the Federal Building in Balboa Park, the facility recognizes outstanding athletic accomplishments and traditions involving more than forty-two sports...
into the Breitbard Hall of Fame honoring San Diego's finest athletes both on and off the playing surface.http://www.sdhoc.com/awards/hall-of-fame/football/earl-faison/