Dick Bass
Richard Lee "Dick" Bass (March 15, 1937 – February 1, 2006) was an American professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played his entire ten-season career with the Los Angeles Rams from 1960 to 1969.[1] Born in Georgetown, Mississippi, Bass moved to California as a child and attended Vallejo High School, where he excelled in football. He then played college football at the University of the Pacific, earning All-American honors as a senior in 1958. The Rams selected him second overall in the 1959 NFL draft. During his pro career, Bass rushed for 5,417 yards and 34 touchdowns, becoming the first Rams player to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season (1,033 in 1962). He was named to the Pro Bowl three times (1962, 1963, 1966) and earned second-team All-Pro honors twice.[1][2] After retiring as a player, Bass worked as a color analyst on Rams radio broadcasts for over two decades, from the 1970s through the 1990s. He died in Norwalk, California, at age 68; the cause was not publicly disclosed. Bass is remembered as one of the Rams' most versatile running backs, nicknamed "The Scooter" for his agility.[3]Early life and education
Childhood and family
Richard Daniel Bass was born on December 21, 1929, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Harry Wesley Bass and Wilma Schuessler Bass.[4] His family moved to Dallas, Texas, during his childhood, where his father was involved in the oil business.[4]High school career
Bass attended Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas, graduating in 1946 at the age of 16.[4] There are no records of notable athletic achievements during his high school years; his early interests leaned toward academics and outdoor activities.College career
Bass enrolled at Yale University at age 16 and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geology.[4] During his time at Yale, he developed a passion for skiing and mountaineering, including climbing the Matterhorn.[5] After Yale, he pursued graduate studies in petroleum engineering at the University of Texas.[6]Professional career
Los Angeles Rams tenure
Dick Bass entered the National Football League after being selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the second overall pick in the 1959 NFL Draft.[1] He made his professional debut that year as a fullback, quickly establishing himself in the Rams' backfield.[3] Over the course of 10 seasons from 1960 to 1969, Bass remained with the Rams, appearing in 112 games and serving as a cornerstone of the team's rushing attack.[1] As the primary rusher and a reliable receiver out of the backfield, he provided versatility to the Rams' offenses during a transformative decade for the franchise, helping to balance their ground game with short-yardage passes.[2] Bass concluded his career after the 1969 season, retiring at age 32 amid accumulating injuries that limited him to just one game that year.[1][2]Career highlights
Dick Bass earned three Pro Bowl selections during his tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, in 1962, 1963, and 1966, recognizing his status as one of the league's premier fullbacks in the early to mid-1960s.[1] These honors highlighted his consistent productivity as a rusher and receiver, particularly in an era when the Rams were rebuilding their ground game after a period of inconsistency. Bass's selection in 1966 came amid a resurgent season for the team, where he served as a cornerstone of the offense despite sharing carries with other backs.[2] One of Bass's most memorable performances occurred on October 9, 1966, when he amassed 171 yards from scrimmage in a 14-7 victory over the Detroit Lions, combining 137 rushing yards on 23 carries with additional receiving yards to power the Rams' ground attack.[7] This game exemplified his elusiveness and vision, traits that earned him the nickname "The Scooter" for his low, powerful running style. Over his career, Bass scored 34 rushing touchdowns, with standout seasons like 1962 showcasing his scoring prowess as he led the Rams with multiple trips to the end zone while establishing himself as the team's first 1,000-yard rusher that year with 1,033 yards.[1] Bass's contributions were instrumental in elevating the Rams to their first playoff appearance since 1955, culminating in the 1967 Western Conference Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers, where his steady rushing helped sustain the team's 11-1-2 regular-season record and set franchise benchmarks for rushing efficiency in a run-heavy era.[8] During this period, he broke team records for single-season rushing yards twice, in 1962 and 1966, underscoring his role in revitalizing the Rams' offensive identity and paving the way for future ground-game successes.[1]Career statistics
Over his 10-season NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams from 1960 to 1969, Dick Bass accumulated 1,218 rushing attempts for 5,417 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry, and scored 34 rushing touchdowns.[1] He also recorded 204 receptions for 1,841 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns, bringing his total career touchdowns to 41.[1] In the playoffs, Bass appeared in one game during the 1967 postseason, rushing for 14 carries for 40 yards, while adding 0 receptions for 0 yards.[1][9] Bass's year-by-year regular season statistics for rushing and receiving are summarized in the following table:[1]| Season | Rushing Att | Rushing Yds | Rushing TD | Receiving Rec | Receiving Yds | Receiving TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 31 | 153 | 0 | 13 | 92 | 0 |
| 1961 | 98 | 608 | 4 | 16 | 145 | 0 |
| 1962 | 196 | 1,033 | 6 | 30 | 262 | 2 |
| 1963 | 143 | 520 | 5 | 30 | 348 | 0 |
| 1964 | 72 | 342 | 2 | 9 | 83 | 0 |
| 1965 | 121 | 549 | 2 | 21 | 230 | 2 |
| 1966 | 248 | 1,090 | 8 | 31 | 274 | 0 |
| 1967 | 187 | 627 | 6 | 27 | 212 | 1 |
| 1968 | 121 | 494 | 1 | 27 | 195 | 2 |
| 1969 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 1,218 | 5,417 | 34 | 204 | 1,841 | 7 |