Tom Fears
Thomas Jesse Fears (December 3, 1922 – January 4, 2000) was a pioneering Mexican-American professional football player, coach, and the first Mexico-born individual inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[1][2] Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Fears moved to Los Angeles at age six and excelled in football at Manual Arts High School before playing college ball at UCLA and serving as a flight instructor in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.[2] After being drafted in the 11th round (103rd overall) by the Cleveland Rams in the 1945 NFL Draft, he joined the Los Angeles Rams (the relocated franchise) in 1948, where he played as a split end for nine seasons through 1956, appearing in 87 games.[1][3] Fears quickly established himself as one of the NFL's premier receivers, leading the league in receptions during each of his first three seasons (51 in 1948, 77 in 1949, and 84 in 1950).[1][2] In 1950, he set an NFL single-game record with 18 receptions against the Green Bay Packers—a mark that stood for over 50 years—and finished the year with 1,116 receiving yards.[1][2] His career totals included 400 receptions for 5,397 yards and 38 touchdowns, highlighted by a pivotal 73-yard game-winning touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of the 1951 NFL Championship Game, securing a 24-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.[1][2] Transitioning to coaching, Fears served as an assistant with teams including the Green Bay Packers under Vince Lombardi, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Atlanta Falcons before becoming the first Mexican-American head coach in NFL history with the New Orleans Saints from 1967 to 1970.[4][2] During his Saints tenure, he compiled a 13-34-2 record, guiding the expansion franchise through its inaugural seasons and developing talents like quarterback Billy Kilmer and receiver Danny Abramowicz, who led the NFL in receptions in 1969.[4] He was fired seven games into the 1970 season with a 1-5-1 mark, after which the team famously benefited from kicker Tom Dempsey's record 63-yard field goal.[4] Later in life, Fears coached in the World Football League and the International League of American Football, and he ventured into business by opening restaurants in California.[2] He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on January 12, 1970, and enshrined on August 8, 1970, recognized for his on-field excellence, barrier-breaking role as a minority pioneer, and contributions to the sport as both player and coach.[1][4]Early years
Birth and family background
Thomas Jesse Fears was born on December 3, 1922, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, to American father Charles William Fears, a mining engineer working in the region, and Mexican mother Carmen Valdés.[1][5][2] This birth in Mexico to parents of mixed heritage established Fears' Mexican-American identity from an early age, marking him as a trailblazer in American professional football as the first Mexico-born individual to become an NFL head coach and be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[2][6] The Fears family relocated to Los Angeles, California, when Fears was six years old, where he was immersed in American culture while retaining strong ties to his Mexican roots through his mother's influence.[7][5][2] His father, originally from the United States, had taken a position in Mexico's mining industry, which prompted the family's initial residence there before the move stateside provided greater opportunities in education and athletics.[2] Fears grew up with at least one sibling, his brother Charles, who also pursued football and later attended UCLA.[8]High school and military service
Tom Fears attended Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, California, where he first participated in organized football as a student-athlete.[1][9] During his time there, Fears developed his skills as an end, playing both offensively and defensively, and quickly emerged as a standout performer in the sport.[10] Fears' high school achievements highlighted his athletic prowess, including selection as an All-Southern California end, which drew attention from college programs across the country.[10] In 1940, he was honored as the California State Player of the Year for his contributions on the field, solidifying his reputation as one of the top prep football talents in the region.[11] In 1943, amid World War II, Fears enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, interrupting his post-high school plans and education.[9] He served until 1946, primarily in a non-combat role as a flight instructor stationed at Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he trained pilots during the war effort.[9] While in the service, Fears also captained the Second Air Force Superbombers football team in 1944 and 1945, continuing to hone his athletic abilities through military competition.[10]College career
Santa Clara University
Following his graduation from Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, where he excelled as an end and earned All-Southern California honors, Tom Fears enrolled at Santa Clara College (now Santa Clara University) in 1942 as a sophomore.[10] His high school foundation provided the groundwork for transitioning to college-level competition amid the constraints of World War II.[9] At Santa Clara, Fears played as a two-way end under head coach Buck Shaw, contributing on both offense and defense for the Broncos during the 1942 season.[12] The team finished with a 7-2 record, including notable victories over three Pacific Coast Conference opponents: San Francisco, California, and Saint Mary's.[13] Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 213 pounds, Fears utilized his size and strength effectively in blocking and tackling, while his receiving prowess on offense helped stretch defenses.[13] Fears' versatile performances earned him All-Pacific Coast honors as a sophomore, highlighting his potential as a professional prospect even in a shortened collegiate tenure.[13] His combination of physical attributes and skills drew early interest from NFL scouts, though wartime priorities limited further development at the time.[1] However, his college career at Santa Clara was interrupted after one year when he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, serving as a flight instructor during the war.[9]UCLA Bruins
After completing his sophomore season at Santa Clara University, Tom Fears transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1946 following his military service during World War II.[1][13] At UCLA, Fears played as a two-way end on both offense and defense from 1946 to 1947, contributing significantly to the Bruins' resurgence in the post-war era. In his junior year of 1946, he helped lead UCLA to an undefeated 10-0 regular season record, securing the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) championship and earning a berth in the 1947 Rose Bowl, where the team finished ranked fourth nationally despite a 45-14 loss to Illinois. The following season in 1947, Fears solidified his status as one of the nation's top receivers, recording key performances that supported UCLA's 5-4 finish, including multiple touchdown receptions that showcased his speed and hands. Over his two seasons, Fears was instrumental in achieving a 15-5 overall record, elevating the Bruins to national prominence under coach Bert LaBrucherie.[13][2][14] Fears' exceptional play earned him First-Team All-America honors in 1947 from multiple selectors, as well as All-Pacific Coast Conference recognition that year. He was also named the Bruins' Most Valuable Player for his senior season, highlighting his role as a versatile standout who combined receiving prowess with defensive reliability. These accomplishments not only boosted UCLA's profile in college football but also positioned Fears as a top prospect entering the professional ranks.[12][13][15]Professional playing career
Los Angeles Rams
Tom Fears was selected by the Cleveland Rams in the 11th round (103rd overall) of the 1945 NFL Draft, but due to ongoing military service obligations following World War II, he completed his college eligibility at UCLA before joining the franchise, which had relocated to Los Angeles, in 1948.[3] His time at UCLA provided essential preparation for the physical and strategic demands of professional football, where he transitioned seamlessly into a starting role.[1] In his rookie season, Fears led the NFL in receptions with 51 catches for 698 yards and four touchdowns, marking an immediate impact as a versatile player who contributed on both offense and defense early in the year.[10] Fears remained with the Los Angeles Rams through the 1956 season, establishing himself as one of the league's premier pass catchers during a period of offensive innovation under coaches like Clark Shaughnessy and Joe Stydahar.[1] He led the NFL in receptions again in 1949 with 77 catches for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns, setting a single-season league record at the time that he personally surpassed the following year.[10] In 1950, Fears achieved 84 receptions for 1,116 yards and seven touchdowns, breaking his own mark and leading the league once more while also topping the NFL in receiving yards; this performance earned him First-Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection.[3] The Rams' potent passing attack, featuring quarterbacks Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin, thrived with Fears as a focal point, culminating in the 1951 NFL Championship victory over the Cleveland Browns, where he scored the game-winning touchdown on a 73-yard reception in the fourth quarter.[10] As a pioneer of the split end position, Fears excelled in running precise routes such as the buttonhook and deep sideline patterns, stretching defenses and creating space for teammates like Elroy Hirsch in the Rams' revolutionary "three-end" offense.[1] His reliability in traffic and sure hands made him a matchup nightmare, exemplified by his single-game record of 18 receptions against the Green Bay Packers on December 3, 1950—a mark that stood as the NFL record for 50 years until broken by Terrell Owens with 20 receptions in 2000.[16] Fears earned a second-team All-Pro selection in 1951 amid ongoing team contention for divisional titles, though injuries began to limit his production in later seasons, including a shortened 1956 campaign that prompted his retirement.[3]Career statistics and records
Tom Fears amassed 400 receptions for 5,397 yards and 38 touchdowns over 87 games during his NFL career from 1948 to 1956.[3] These totals underscored his role as a premier pass-catching end for the Los Angeles Rams, where he averaged 13.5 yards per reception.[3] The following table summarizes Fears' regular-season receiving statistics by year:| Year | Team | Games | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns | Yards per Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | RAM | 12 | 51 | 698 | 4 | 13.7 |
| 1949 | RAM | 12 | 77 | 1,013 | 9 | 13.2 |
| 1950 | RAM | 12 | 84 | 1,116 | 7 | 13.3 |
| 1951 | RAM | 7 | 32 | 528 | 3 | 16.5 |
| 1952 | RAM | 12 | 48 | 600 | 6 | 12.5 |
| 1953 | RAM | 8 | 23 | 278 | 4 | 12.1 |
| 1954 | RAM | 10 | 36 | 546 | 3 | 15.2 |
| 1955 | RAM | 12 | 44 | 569 | 2 | 12.9 |
| 1956 | RAM | 2 | 5 | 49 | 0 | 9.8 |
| Career | - | 87 | 400 | 5,397 | 38 | 13.5 |