Los Angeles Rams: 30 greatest players in franchise history

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Originally, the Rams had selected Tom Fears in the 1945 NFL Draft as a defensive back with the intention that he would be another weapon to work with on defense. However, seeing him transition to wide receiver was the best decision the Rams could have made for his NFL career.

However, Fears never actually joined Los Angeles until the 1948 season. He decided to return to school, and transferred to UCLA after some time at Colorado Springs playing for a service team.

Believe it or not, the Rams had won the championship during that 1945 season, meaning Fears would have been joining the team at an ideal time. That being said, he did end up winning a title a few years later when Los Angeles won it all in 1951.

And while this may have been one of numerous key highlights from Fears’ impressive career, it was the impact he made right away as a receiver from 1948-50 while still contributing to the defensive side of the football that stood out the most.

The fact that Fears was originally drafted as a defender, and would end up leading the league in receptions in those first three seasons shows the the switch was worthwhile when it happened in 1948.

Even if 212 of his career 400 catches came during those first three seasons, Fears was a special player back in the day. Though he may not be considered the best receiver in the franchise’s history, he does have a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This only adds to why he’s in the mix as one of the all-time greatest Rams.