Jack Youngblood

Herbert Jackson Youngblood III (born January 26, 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida) is a former American football defensive end who played for the Los Angeles Rams. Son of Herbert J. and Kay Youngblood, has two sisters, Paula and Lynn. Married to Barbara and has a son, Robert (who played soccer at University of West Florida)[1]. Currently makes Orlando, Florida, his home which he shares with the family pets, an 18-year old golden retriever named Jake, and rescued cats Minky and Scallie.

Professional Career

He was drafted out of the University of Florida by the Rams in the first round (20th pick overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft; he was chosen as an All-Pro five times (1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979) during his 14 years with the team and was All-NFC seven times. In his rookie season, 1971, Jack was named All-rookie by Football Digest magazine. Noted for having an ideal combination of strength (bench pressed 450 pounds) and speed (4.65 in the 40-yard dash)[2] and quickness (1.6 in the 10 yard-dash). [3]

He is most famous for playing the entire 1979-1980 playoffs (including the 1980 Super Bowl) with a fractured left fibula.[4] He also played in the 1980 Pro Bowl with the injured leg, a week after the Super Bowl. In the playoffs Youngblood sacked Roger Staubach near the sideline in the waning moments of the divisional playoff game versus the Dallas Cowboys[5] . Playing with the cracked leg was noted by Sports Illustrated in their Top 10 list of athletes playing in pain.[6] For that and other achievements Jack was dubbed the "John Wayne of football" by Jim Hanifan[7] and echoed by Hall of Fame coach, John Madden.[8]

He played in 201 consecutive games, a Rams team record; and only missed 1 game in his 14 year NFL career. He played in seven straight Pro Bowls, 5 NFC Championships, and one Super Bowl. He was also the Rams defensive captain and won the Dan Reeves award 3 times, which is awarded to the team's MVP. He was honored in the St. Louis Rams Ring of Fame. He had an uncredited 151.5 career sacks and led the Rams in sacks nine times.

His consecutive games played streak ended on week 15, 1984, when Youngblood had to sit out hist first football game since a collegiate player in 1970. He suffered a ruptured disc in his lower back a week earlier. Despite the injury he came back in the seasons finale against the 49ers and the playoffs. He attritbuted his ability to play to a series of back adjustments that allowed him move even though team doctors Jack he was through for the season[9]. He was voted the Rams' recipient of the 1984 Ed Block Courage Award[10] by "representing everything that is positive about professional football and serving as an inspirations in their locker rooms being a positive role model in his communities". The award also has an overcoming injury and/or tragedy aspect.

Youngblood was also honored as the NFC Defensive Player of the Year by United Press International in 1975 and Pro Football Weekly named Youngblood the NFL defensive lineman of the year, also in 1975. He repeated his NFC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1976. Youngblood was also on the 1984 All-Madden team and was chosen by John Madden as the player who most exemplified the All-Madden team. [11]

---

In addition to his 5 All-pro season and 7 All-NFC seasons, Youngblood was second-team All-pro in 1973, 1977, and 1980 and was second-team All-NFC in 1973 and 1984 and in addition to his seven pro bowls he was a first alternate in 1984, his final season. In 1997 Madden also selected Youngblood to his All-time Super Bowl team. In 2000, Sports Illustrated ranked Youngblood as #4 in its list of the greatest pass rushers of all-time, behind only Deacon Jones, Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor. [12] Named by writer Roy Williams of the Philadelphia Sun as one of the top 5 defensive ends of all time.[13]

During his career, Jack won the resepct of both teammates and opponents. Dan Dierdorf, a Hall of Fame tackle, said that Youngblood was "by far the toughest opponent I faced in my career", [14] a thought echoed by Hall of Fame tackle Ron Yary.[15] Other NFL greats such as Hall of Fame tackles Bob Brown and Rayfield Wright,[16] rank Jack among the top players they faced.[17]. Opposing quarterbacks also ranked Youngblood highly, with two of them, Fran Tarkenton and Roger Staubach, stating that Jack was the top defensive lineman they faced in their careers.[18] Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen paid Youngblood the highest compliment by stating that Jack was the "perfect defensive end".[19]

He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001 along with Ron Yary, Lynn Swann, Jackie Slater, Mike Munchak, Marv Levy, and Nick Buoniconti. [20]

Youngblood's style of play and ability to play hurt brought many notations in NFL lore, in 1996 NFL Films named him to their list of the 100 Toughest Players of All-Time and in 2006 NFL writer Neil Reynolds featured Youngblood in his 2006 book "Pain Gang"[21] in which Reynolds names Youngblood as one of the 50 Toughest players of All-Time. In between, Blitz magazine, The Sporting News, Football Digest, and Sport magazine along with others have singled Youngblood out as one of the toughest and/or one of the hardest hitting players of all-time. The ever humble Youngblood responded, "I don't consider myself tough, I consider myself a nut for some of the things I did". [22](This Is the NFL, NFL Films, 1987 show #14)

College Career

At the University of Florida Jack earned a B.S. degree in Finance, was a member of ATΩ (Alpha Tau Omega), and a three-year varsity letterman. He was an All-American in 1970, while leading team with 10 sacks. He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy following the 1970 campaign.[23] Set school record for sacks (14) in 1969 and finished his Gator career with 29 quarterback sacks. In 1969 Jack was part of a 9-1-1 Gator team that upset the University of Tennessee Volunteers in the Gator Bowl in Ray Graves's final game as coach at Florida. Jack first gained national notice after a 5-sack performance versus instate rival Florida State University.

For his achievements he was named to the All-SEC Quarter-Century Team (1950-74) and the All-Time Florida Gator team in 1999 as well as the 100-year Anniversary Gator Team in 2006.[24] Youngblood is regarded as best defensive end in Gator history despite producing NFL stars like Trace Armstrong, Kevin Carter, Jevon Kearse, and Alex Brown.[25] [26]

His performance in the Florida/Georgia (UGA) rivalry earned him a spot in the Florida-Georgia game Hall of Fame as well. In 1970 Younbglood pulled off one of the greatest plays in Florida history. At the time of the play Florida trailed Georgia, 17-10, and the Georgia offense had driven to Florida's 1-yard line. Youngblood stopped a Georgia running back short of the goal line and forced him to fumble and then recovered the loose ball beginning a rally that gained a come-from-behind 24-17 victory.[27] Named to the SEC All-Conference team in 1970, ending three winning seasons while at Florida. As a sophomore for the Gators, Youngblood played defensive end and defensive tackle while also handling the kicking chores for the Gators, kicking a career-long 47 yard field goal to provide the winning margin in his first collegiate game. (Opponent: Air Force Academy)

After his college career Youngblood played in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, and recorded 4 sacks. He was named the Outstanding Lineman of the Game and in 1989 was voted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame.[28] Other notable members of the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame include Joe Greene, Joe Namath, Michael Strahan, Franco Harris. Youngblood also played the College All-Star game in Chicago the following summer before reporting to the Rams in Canton, Ohio, for the Hall of Fame game.

---

Jack received college football's highest honor by being elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992 along with collegiate greats Earl Banks, Ron Johnson, Jim Lynch, Lou Michaels, Larry Morris, Craig Morton, Bob Odell, Lloyd Phillips, John Ralston, Howard Twilley, Jim Weatherall, Art Weiner.

Youngblood received one of the 1996 Silver Anniversary Awards (NCAA), along with Marty Liquori, Thomas Lewis Lyons, Cliff Meely, Kurt L. Schmoke and Joe Theismann, for distinguishing himself as a former NCAA student-athlete.

In the Fall of 1999, Jack was named to the Sports Illustrated NCAA Football All-Century Team [29] as one of only six defensive ends named to the squad. The others: Michigan State's Bubba Smith, Pitt's Hugh Green, Golden Domers Leon Hart and Ross Browner, and Florida State's Peter Boulware.

On September 30, 2006, Youngblood was among the first four Gator legends to be inducted into the Florida Football Ring of Honor,[30] alongside Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, and Emmitt Smith. This followed Youngblood's election to the University of Florida Hall of Fame in 2001.

High School

Youngblood attended Monticello-Jefferson County High School, Monticello, FL, graduating in 1966. As an offensive lineman and linebacker, Jack was a two-way starter and team captain of the Brent Hall coached 10-1-1 state champion M-JC Tigers, earning All-State honors in 1965. He was also All-Big Bend, All-Conference and the Big Bend Linemen of the Year and the Outstanding Lineman for the Tigers that season while leading a defense that shut-out seven opponents and allowed only ten touchdowns in 12 games, including the state playoffs. Youngblood also played basketball at M-JC High as well as participating in 4-H, Student Council and Key Club, International.

Post NFL Career

Partnered with L.A. Rams teammate Larry Brooks to open "The Wild Bunch" in 1980, a western clothing store that featured high-end western wear, including boots, hats, belt buckles, jeans, and all else county.

Jack Youngblood appeared in two TV movies: C.A.T. Squad in 1986 and C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf in 1988. Youngblood played a Secret Service agent in the "Counter Assault Technical Squad" named John Sommers who was the "best weapons and munitions man in the business" and who was a fine secret service agent but hated big cities like Washington and New York and thus was banished to Alaska. In the plot line of the movies "John Sommers" also was a member of the Air Force Reserve who piloted SR-71 aircraft.[31] Youngblood was nominated for an Emmy award for best supporting actor for his work in Python Wolf. In these films Youngblood starred along with Joe Cortese [32], Steve James [33], and Deborah Van Valkenburg [34]. Both movies were directed by William Friedkin who is most noted for directing the Exorcist, The French Connection, and the Boys in the Band.

In 1988 Jack authored (with Joel Engle) his autobiography entitled, "Blood". The book outlined Youngblood's drive and passion for professional football and reviewed his career, his injuries, his successes and failures on the football field. It was favorably reviewed by Publisher's Weekly as "an unusual sports book".[35]

Youngblood, after his retirement, worked in Player relations and Marketing for the Los Angeles Rams from 1985-91 and served as the Rams' color analyst for the Rams Radio Network from 1987-91. In 1985-86 he also was a reporter and co-host for ESPN's Countdown show, alongside Chris Berman. Was succeeded by current co-host, Tom Jackson in 1987.

Youngblood moved to the World League of American Football as the Director of Marketing for the Sacramento Surge in 1992-93. He moved to the Sacramento Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League in 1994. He also served as an analyst for the Surge and the Gold Miners radio networks and hosted a sports radio talk show from 1993-94 in Sacramento. In 1995 he returned to his native Florida as Vice-President, then later as President of the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League leaving in 1999 to work for the Arena league office as a liaison to the National Football League.

---

Among the numerous charitable activities Youngblood was involved in were the 1974 NFL-USO tour to Viet-Nam and Southeast Asia. In 1977 he was the United Way spokesman for the Rams and was the club's Man of the Year nominee in 1975 and 1983. In April, 2007, Youngblood was inducted into the NFL Alumni Association’s prestigious Order of the Leather Helmet, which is the highest award for the NFL Alumni given to those "who make a lasting impression on the game". Jack has also been an Ambassador for Child Help USA, an organization benefiting abused children [36]. In Los Angeles he sponsored a celebrity golf tournament for the John Tracy Clinic for Deaf Children[37]/ and was active with programs at the Children's Hospital for Orange County.

Other sponsorships and advertising ventures were a Miller Lite TV commercial in 1985 and Honda Power machines in 1985. He also had print ads for Pro Tron Weights regional ad, 1984, Dan Post Handcrafted Boots, national print ad 1986, Cal-Gym, national print ad, 1986, and was a national spokesman for Protastonin in 2001. Youngblood was also the Co-host for the ESPN popular television show Wall-Mart's Great Outdoors from 2000 through 2003. Thoughout the early years of ESPN, Youngblood was a regular guest on Star-Shot and the Sportslook programs. In the mid-1980s he also modeled Munsingwear briefs in a series of magazine and billboard ads.

Since 2001 Jack has been the St. Louis Rams host for the Taste of the NFL charity event [38], a dinner held annually at the Super Bowl to raise funds for America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Foodbank Network.[39]

Currently, Jack Youngblood is a Division President of Dave Liles Ethanol Fuels[40] which produces a fuel additive that purports to boost octane, clean fuel systems, and help the environment by reducing engine emissions and being completely biodegradable. [41]

Throughout his NFL career and after Jack has been a skilled public speaker being sought after by corporate, athletic, and Christian groups due to his activity and success in those arenas. Youngblood serves on the Honorary Advisory Board of the St. Louis Rams[42] along with notables like Bill Cosby, August A. Busch III, Jonathan Winters, Dick Gephardt, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Stan Musial, Maxine Waters, Dr. Toby Freedman, et al. Former members of the Rams Advisory Board, created in 1981, include, Lord David Westbury, former Ram and Evangelist Rosey Grier, Maureen Reagan, Henry Mancini, Bob Hope, Danny Thomas, Jane Upton Bell, among others.

Named by Yahoo!® writer Charles Robinson as the best player taken in the 20th slot of the 1st round of the NFL draft. [43]

A game-used Jack Youngblood jersey sold for $6565 in a July, 2006, online auction. [44]

External links

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
• College Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
• Photos of Jack Youngblood
• Q&A with Jack Youngblood
• Quotes by Jack Youngblood

---

File:J Youngblood.jpg File:Jack Youngbloodfacesmall.jpg File:Youngblood298.jpg

---

Jack at Training Camp, 1976. ----------As VP of Predators, 1996.-----------Playing in Throwback Bowl, 1998.------------Playing Throwback Bowl, 1997.-------------At Hall of Fame Dinner, 2001.<br />

---