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Fearsome Foursome (football)
Encyclopedia
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 1960s and 1970s.
, a major New York city tabloid, ran an article and sketches of the New York Giant defensive line consisting of ends Andy Robustelli
and Jim Katcavage
, and tackles Rosey Grier
and Dick Modzelewski
and a headline that read "A Fearsome Foursome."
's Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers
' defensive front four, including starters DE
Ron Nery
, DT Bill Hudson, DT Ernie Ladd
, and DE
Earl Faison
. The Chargers moved to San Diego in 1961, and Faison made overall AFL Rookie of the Year, a rare feat for a defensive player. Alternate members of the group included DE
Bob Petrich
, DT George Gross
, and DE
-DT Henry Schmidt
. At the time Gross and Ladd were two of the largest and strongest men in Professional Football. The Chargers' Foursome helped them reach the first two American Football League Championship
games and five altogether, winning the AFL Championship
in 1963 with a 51 - 10 thumping of the Boston Patriots.
line of Roger Brown
, Alex Karras
, Darris McCord
, and Sam Williams
.
was acquired from the New York Giants
in 1963 to join Lamar Lundy
, Merlin Olsen
and Deacon Jones
as the Los Angeles Rams
starting defensive line. They also became known as the Fearsome Foursome, and the greater publicity garnered by the NFL leads many to assume they were the originals. Dick Butkus
called them "the most dominant line in football history." They gained fame as the Rams went from a perennial second division, under .500 team to a NFL powerhouse under coach George Allen.
Roger Brown
replaced Grier in 1967, and Diron Talbert
replaced Brown in 1970. Also in 1970 Coy Bacon
replaced Lamar Lundy.
The line was ultimately broken up when George Allen became coach of the Washington Redskins in 1971; Talbert and Deacon Jones followed Allen via trades in 1972 and Bacon left in 1973. After missing the playoffs from 1970–72, the Rams then won 7 straight division titles from 1973 to 1979, and were led in part by The New Fearsome Foursome.
This line consisted of ends Jack Youngblood
and Fred Dryer
, and tackles Merlin Olsen
and Larry Brooks
. Youngblood and Olsen are NFL hall of famers while Brooks made the Pro Bowl 5 times. Dryer also made the Pro Bowl once, and set an NFL record with 2 safeties in one game vs. the Packers. Olsen retired after a 15 year career at the end of the 1976 season, and he was replaced for one year by his younger brother Phil Olsen
and then by Mike Fanning
.
, consisting of 2010 Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh
, Pro-bowler Kyle Vanden Bosch
, Cliff Avril
and new draft pick Nick Fairley
.
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...
, when referring to the dominating defensive lines of the San Diego 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 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...
in the early 1960s, the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, 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...
and most widely, the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
of the 1960s and 1970s.
New York Giants
In the 1957 season the New York Daily NewsNew York Daily News
The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
, a major New York city tabloid, ran an article and sketches of the New York Giant defensive line consisting of ends Andy Robustelli
Andy Robustelli
Andrew Richard "Andy" Robustelli was an American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. He played college football at Arnold College and was drafted in the nineteenth round of the 1951 NFL Draft...
and Jim Katcavage
Jim Katcavage
James Richard Katcavage was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League who played thirteen seasons for the New York Giants. From 1952 until 1956, Katcavage played college football at the University of Dayton and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1956 NFL Draft...
, and tackles Rosey Grier
Rosey Grier
Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier is an American actor, singer, Christian minister, and former professional American football player. He was a notable college football player for Pennsylvania State University who earned a retrospective place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 100th anniversary...
and Dick Modzelewski
Dick Modzelewski
Richard Blair Modzelewski is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. He also served as interim head coach of the Browns in the final game of the 1977 season...
and a headline that read "A Fearsome Foursome."
San Diego Chargers
The nickname "Fearsome Foursome" was first regularly used to describe the American Football LeagueAmerican 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...
's Los Angeles/San Diego 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...
' defensive front four, including starters DE
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
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 ....
, DT Bill Hudson, DT 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:...
, and DE
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Earl Faison
Earl Faison
Earl Faison was an American college and Professional Football player who played in the American Football League between 1960 and 1966...
. The Chargers moved to San Diego in 1961, and Faison made overall AFL Rookie of the Year, a rare feat for a defensive player. Alternate members of the group included DE
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
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 ....
, DT 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...
, and DE
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
-DT 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:...
. At the time Gross and Ladd were two of the largest and strongest men in Professional Football. The Chargers' Foursome helped them reach the first two American Football League Championship
Professional American football championship games
Below is a list of professional football championship games in the United States, involving:* the informal Pittsburgh circuit of professional football teams ;...
games and five altogether, winning the AFL Championship
Professional American football championship games
Below is a list of professional football championship games in the United States, involving:* the informal Pittsburgh circuit of professional football teams ;...
in 1963 with a 51 - 10 thumping of the Boston Patriots.
Detroit Lions (1962)
The nickname "Fearsome Foursome" was later used to describe the 1962 Detroit LionsDetroit 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...
line of Roger Brown
Roger Brown (football player)
Roger Lee Brown is a former American football defensive tackle who retired after the 1969 NFL season.-Football career:...
, Alex Karras
Alex Karras
Alexander George "Alex" Karras , nicknamed "The Mad Duck", is a former football player, professional wrestler, and actor, best known for his stint with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League from 1958–1962 and 1964-1970 and for his role as Mongo in the film Blazing Saddles...
, Darris McCord
Darris McCord
Darris McCord is a former American football Defensive End for the Detroit Lions . He attended the University of Tennessee...
, and Sam Williams
Sam Williams (defensive lineman)
Samuel F. Williams was an American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was a 24th round selection of the Los Angeles Rams in the 1956 NFL Draft out of Michigan State University...
.
Los Angeles Rams
Still later, Rosey GrierRosey Grier
Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier is an American actor, singer, Christian minister, and former professional American football player. He was a notable college football player for Pennsylvania State University who earned a retrospective place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 100th anniversary...
was acquired from the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1963 to join Lamar Lundy
Lamar Lundy
Lamar J. Lundy, Jr. was an American defensive end with the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League for 13 seasons, from 1957 to 1969. Along with Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, and Rosey Grier, Lundy was a member of the Fearsome Foursome, often considered one of the best defensive lines in...
, Merlin Olsen
Merlin Olsen
Merlin Jay Olsen was an American football player in the National Football League, NFL commentator, and actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews...
and Deacon Jones
Deacon Jones
David D. "Deacon" Jones is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.Jones specialized in quarterback sacks, a term attributed to him...
as the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
starting defensive line. They also became known as the Fearsome Foursome, and the greater publicity garnered by the NFL leads many to assume they were the originals. Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus
Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He...
called them "the most dominant line in football history." They gained fame as the Rams went from a perennial second division, under .500 team to a NFL powerhouse under coach George Allen.
Roger Brown
Roger Brown (football player)
Roger Lee Brown is a former American football defensive tackle who retired after the 1969 NFL season.-Football career:...
replaced Grier in 1967, and Diron Talbert
Diron Talbert
Diron Vester Talbert is a former American football defensive end.-Football career:Talbert played college football at the University of Texas where he was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Fame in 2005....
replaced Brown in 1970. Also in 1970 Coy Bacon
Coy Bacon
Lander McCoy Bacon was a former professional American football defensive lineman in the National Football League. He was selected to three Pro Bowls during his 14-year career...
replaced Lamar Lundy.
The line was ultimately broken up when George Allen became coach of the Washington Redskins in 1971; Talbert and Deacon Jones followed Allen via trades in 1972 and Bacon left in 1973. After missing the playoffs from 1970–72, the Rams then won 7 straight division titles from 1973 to 1979, and were led in part by The New Fearsome Foursome.
This line consisted of ends Jack Youngblood
Jack Youngblood
Herbert Jackson "Jack" Youngblood, III is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League for fourteen seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. He was a five-time consensus All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl...
and Fred Dryer
Fred Dryer
John Frederick "Fred" Dryer is an American actor and former football defensive end in the National Football League . Dryer played 13 years in the NFL, playing 176 games, starting 166, and recording 104 career sacks with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams...
, and tackles Merlin Olsen
Merlin Olsen
Merlin Jay Olsen was an American football player in the National Football League, NFL commentator, and actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews...
and Larry Brooks
Larry Brooks
Lawrence Lee Brooks, Sr. , is a former American Football defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams eleven seasons from 1972 to 1982 in the National Football League...
. Youngblood and Olsen are NFL hall of famers while Brooks made the Pro Bowl 5 times. Dryer also made the Pro Bowl once, and set an NFL record with 2 safeties in one game vs. the Packers. Olsen retired after a 15 year career at the end of the 1976 season, and he was replaced for one year by his younger brother Phil Olsen
Phil Olsen
Phillip Vernor Olsen is a former center and defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos and the son of Lynn Jay and Merle Olsen. He also was a member of the Buffalo Bills. He is the younger brother of Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen.- High...
and then by Mike Fanning
Mike Fanning
Michael LaVern Fanning is a retired American football player. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame. He was a defensive tackle for ten seasons in the National Football League...
.
Detroit Lions (2011)
The nickname "Fearsome Foursome" has locally been used by the newly formed defensive line of the 2011 Detroit LionsDetroit 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...
, consisting of 2010 Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh is an American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions 2nd overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
, Pro-bowler Kyle Vanden Bosch
Kyle Vanden Bosch
-Arizona Cardinals:Kyle was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. In his injury-abbreviated rookie season he finished with 12 tackles , one quarterback sack, one hurry, one pass defensed and one...
, Cliff Avril
Cliff Avril
Clifford Samuel Avril is a defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:...
and new draft pick Nick Fairley
Nick Fairley
Nick Fairley is an American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn....
.