LA Rams: Jim Benton’s record stood for 44 years until Flipper topped it

WR Jim Benton held an LA Rams receiving record for 44 years until Flipper Anderson broke it in 1989

Wide receivers have played a huge role in LA Rams offenses since the beginning of the franchise. Most Rams fans are aware of the receivers from the Greatest Show on Turf era. from that period of history, most will easily recognize the name, Flipper Anderson.  But how many will recognize the name, Jim Benton? Beyond that, how many know that the two are linked forever thanks to team history.

The current NFL record for the receiving yard in a single game is held by Rams wide receiver, Anderson. On November 26th, 1989, the LA Rams defeated the New Orleans Saints 20-17 in overtime. Anderson played a huge role in winning that game.

Flipper flashed brilliance

He caught 15 passes for 336 yards with one touchdown. His fourth-quarter touchdown tied the game at 17. Incidentally, Jim Everett threw for 454 yards in that game. See how much Anderson contributed to that victory?

His record day pushed him to the top of the NFL single-game record but there was another Rams player that held the NFL record for a long period of time. He set the record on November 22, 1945. On that date, the Cleveland Rams defeated the Detroit Lions 28-21 on Thanksgiving Day.  Benton was a big 6-feet-3 200-pound receiver from the University of Arkansas. He was selected in the second round of the 1938 NFL Draft. Benton played eight seasons for the Rams before finishing off his career by playing one season in Chicago.

On his historical day, Benton caught 10 passes for 303 yards with one touchdown. He averaged 30.3 yards per reception! The Detroit defense must have lined up in man coverage with eight in the box to stop the run!

Ninth all-time best receiver

Benton is ninth on the Rams career receiving yards list with 4,566 yards. He caught 275 passes with 42 touchdowns. He was a prolific receiver for his time.

Tom Murphy of arkansasonline.com reports the following:

"“He was so far ahead of his time,” Jimmy “Red” Parker told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Jim Bailey in 2001, the week after Benton’s passing. Parker played for Benton at UAM and later became its head coach. “He was so intelligent he would have been a great coach no matter what system he was using, but dang few coaches of that time, anywhere in the country, understood as much about offense as he did. He could teach any aspect of football, but the thing he taught best was how to get open and catch the ball.”"

Jim Benton was a big player for the Rams, even by today’s standards.

In the beginning, there was Jim Benton. He set the standard for Rams receivers. Hopefully, he finds his way into the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday.