Born in Elmira, New York, Waterfield moved to Los Angeles as an infant. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins in 1941, 1942, and 1944. In 1942, he led UCLA to a Pacific Coast Conference championship and its first Rose Bowl and was selected as the quarterback on the All-Pacific Coast team.
From 1945 to 1952, he played quarterback for the Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League. He led the Rams to NFL championships in 1945 and 1951 and was selected as the NFL's most valuable player in 1945. He was the first-team All-Pro quarterback in 1945, 1946, and 1949. Known as one of the best passers, punters, and place-kickers in the NFL, he set NFL career place-kicking records with 315 extra points and 60 field goals, as well as a single-season record with 54 extra points in 1950, and a single-game record with five field goals in a game.
Waterfield was married to movie actress Jane Russell from 1943 to 1968. During the 1950s, Waterfield also worked in the motion picture business, initially as an actor and later as a producer. He remained involved in football as an assistant coach during the 1950s and served as the head coach of the Rams from 1960 to 1962.
Waterfield was drafted by the Cleveland Rams in the fifth round (42nd overall pick) of the 1944 NFL Draft. He signed with the Rams in June 1945.
As a rookie, Waterfield won the starting quarterback job and led the 1945 Rams team to the NFL championship with a 9–1 record. Waterfield led the NFL with 1,627 yards of total offense, 14 touchdown passes and an average of 9.4 yards per attempt. He also led the league with 17 interceptions. As a defensive back, he intercepted 6 passes.
On Thanksgiving Day 1945, Waterfield completed 12 of 21 passes for a season-high 329 yards in a 28–21 victory over the Detroit Lions. Jim Benton caught 10 of Waterfield's passes for an NFL record of 303 receiving yards in a single game.
On December 16, 1945, in the 1945 NFL Championship Game, Waterfield led the Rams to a 15–14 victory over Sammy Baugh's Washington Redskins in below zero weather in Cleveland. One sports writer opined that Waterfield "literally" beat the Redskins "singlehanded." Waterfield was responsible for both Cleveland touchdowns on passes of 37 and 44 yards, and his punts kept the Redskins pinned deep in their territory. Rams owner Dan Reeves announced that, before the game, Waterfield had signed a three-year contract for $20,000 per year, which made him the highest-paid player in pro football.
After the season, Waterfield received the Joe F. Carr Trophy as the NFL's Most Valuable Player, outpacing Steve Van Buren by a tally of 65 points to 38. He was also a consensus pick as the first-team quarterback on the 1945 All-Pro Team.
In 1947, the Rams dropped to fourth place in the NFL's West Division, and Waterfield did not rank among the league's leaders in any passing category except interceptions. He did, however, lead the NFL with seven field goals and had an 86-yard punt that was the longest in the NFL during the 1947 season.
In 1948, the Rams finished in third place in the West. Waterfield ranked among the NFL leaders with 15.6 yards per pass completion (first), 14 passing touchdowns (fourth), and 18 interceptions (third), and for the second year had the longest punt in the league, this one measuring 88 yards. On October 4, 1948, Waterfield led the Rams to a 28–28 tie with the NFL champion-to-be Philadelphia Eagles; the Rams trailed, 28–0, in the third quarter, but Waterfield completed 17 of 35 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns to lead the comeback.
In his first four NFL seasons, Waterfield also played defense and intercepted 20 passes.
Waterfield and Rams returned to the NFL's elite during the 1949 season. The Rams won the NFL's Western Division championship with an 8–2–2 record and lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1949 NFL Championship Game. In 12 regular season games, Waterfield compiled career highs and ranked among the NFL leaders with 154 completed passes (third), 296 pass attempts (fourth), 2,168 passing yards (second), and 24 interceptions (first). For the third time in his career, he was selected as the quarterback on the 1948 All-Pro Team, receiving first-team honors from the AP and UP.
In 1950, Waterfield shared the quarterback position with Norm Van Brocklin with each starting six games. Waterfield's 57.3% completion percentage was the best in the NFL for the 1950 season. The 1950 Rams compiled a 9–3, won the National Conference championship, defeated the Chicago Bears in a divisional playoff game, and lost to the Cleveland Browns in the 1950 NFL Championship Game. In the playoff game against the Bears, Waterfield came off the bench suffering from the flu and completed 14 of 21 passes for 280 yards, including touchdown passes of 68, 28, and 22 yards to Tom Fears; Waterfield also kicked a 43–yard field goal and three extra points in the game. After the game, George Halas called the Rams "the finest passing team I've ever played against." On the first play from scrimmage in the 1950 NFL Championship Game, Waterfield threw an 82-yard touchdown pass to Glenn Davis, but the Browns prevailed, 30–28.
During the off-season following the 1950 season, Waterfield tried his hand at an acting career. He starred with Johnny Weissmuller in "Jungle Manhunt" (also known as "Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land"), playing the part of a football player stranded in the jungle.
In the fall of 1951, Waterfield resumed his role as the Rams' regular starting quarterback, starting 10 of the Rams' 12 games at the position. He led the 1951 Rams to an 8–4 record and the NFL championship. During the 1951 season, Waterfield led the NFL with an 81.8 passer rating, an average of 17.8 yards per completion, and 13 field goals made. He ranked second in the league with 98 points scored. He also had the longest pass in the NFL during the 1951 season, a 91-yard touchdown pass to Elroy Hirsch in a 42–17 victory over the Chicago Bears. At the end of the 1951 season, Waterfield played in his second Pro Bowl and was selected by the UP as the second-team quarterback (behind Otto Graham) on the 1951 All-Pro Team.
In 1952, Waterfield shared the Rams' quarterback job with Norm Van Brocklin, each starting six games. The Rams compiled a 9–3 and lost a divisional playoff game against the Detroit Lions. He announced his retirement on December 1, 1952, and was honored with Bob Waterfield Day for the Rams' final home game on December 14, 1952. The Rams retired Waterfield's No. 7 jersey and presented Waterfield with gifts in pregame ceremonies.
At the time of his retirement in December 1952, Waterfield held four NFL career records (315 extra points and 60 field goals), a single-season record with 54 extra points in 1950, and a single-game record with five field goals in a game, and was tied for another single-game record with nine extra points in a game.
During eight seasons with the Rams, he led the team to two NFL championships and four divisional championships. He averaged 42.4 yards as a punter, and he completed 814 passes for 11,849 yards and 97 touchdowns.
Sources
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/
https://www.profootballarchives.com/index.html
https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/Football_Wiki
https://www.gridiron-uniforms.com/GUD/controller/controller.php?action=main
https://www.profootballhof.com/hall-of-famers/
Associated Press, "Ex-Rams Star Dies after Long Illness," Spokane Spokesman Review, March 26, 1983, pg.17.
"Bob Waterfield Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
Al Mallette (July 7, 1976). "Where have you gone, Bob Waterfield?". Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY). p. 19 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Al Mallette (August 8, 1976). "Bob Waterfield is found – a happy groom in California". Sunday Telegram (Elmira, New York). p. 3D – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Al Mallette (October 27, 1968). "Another in Hall". Sunday Telegram. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Sudden Attack Ends Young Man's Life: Jack Waterfiled Dies at Doctor's Office". The Van Nuys News. March 18, 1930. p. 1.
"Bob Waterfield: Van Nuys High School Football Hero". The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. February 23, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
Dana Haddad (June 18, 1997). "Rams Quarterback a Man of Few Words". Los Angeles Times.
"Bob Waterfield is Uclan's Aerial Ace". Wilmington (DE) Morning News. January 1, 1943. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Two OSC Gridders Put on Third AP Selection". Corvalis Gazette-Times. December 10, 1942. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Tom Roblin of Oregon Only One From State Chosen On All-Coast". Medford Mail Tribune. December 2, 1942. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Braven Dyer (January 2, 1943). "Georgia Team Called Great In Action Packed Win". Los Angeles Times. p. II-10, II-12 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Jane Russell Wed To U.C.L.A. Football Star". Los Angeles Times. April 27, 1943. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Bob Waterfield To Be Officer". Reno Gazette-Journal. May 21, 1943. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Al Wolf (September 10, 1943). "Sportraits". The Los Angeles Times. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Fort Benning Meets Carolina". The Greenville (SC) News. October 1, 1943. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Waterfield Stars, Infantry Wins, 48–7". The Des Moines Register. November 7, 1943. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Bob Waterfield Back at U.C.L.A." Los Angeles Times. June 16, 1944. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Trojans Place Five on A.P. Coast Team". Los Angeles Times. December 6, 1944. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Robert Fernas, "Complete Package: Van Nuys' Bob Waterfield was a Quarterback, Defensive Back, Punter and Kicker during Hall of Fame Career," Los Angeles Times, December 25, 1999.
"Waterfield Is Star In West's Win". The Evening Independent. January 2, 1945. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Al Wolf (April 15, 1945). "Sportraits". The Los Angeles Times. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Braven Dyer (June 16, 1945). "Waterfield Signs with Rams Pro Grids". Los Angeles Times. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Waterfield Passes Lions Out of Picture". Detroit Free Press. November 23, 1945. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Waterfield Hero As Cleveland Wins, 15–14". Los Angeles Times. December 17, 1945. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Bob Waterfield Given Most Valuable Palm". Green Bay Press-Gazette. January 4, 1946. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Los Angeles Rams 1962 Media Guide, p. 8.
"1945 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
"Los Angeles Gets Rams' Pro Grid Franchise". Los Angeles Times. January 13, 1946. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"1946 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
"1946 All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
"Waterfield's Passes Give Rams 28–28 Tie". Los Angeles Times. October 4, 1948. p. 45 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"1949 All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
"Rams Defeat Bears, 24–14, Before 83,501: Rams Capture Divisional Title". Los Angeles Times. December 18, 1950. p. 4-1 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Groza's Field Goal Beats Rams, 30–28". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 25, 1950. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Football Star Bob Waterfield Becomes Movie Jungle Hero". Asbury Park Press. May 24, 1951. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Rams Thrash Bears, 42–17, To Top West Group In NFL". Wilmington Morning News. December 3, 1951. p. 17.
"Bob Waterfield Plans to Retire". The Times (San Mateo, CA). December 1, 1952. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Fans Honor Waterfield Today as Rams, Steelers Tangle". Los Angeles Times. December 14, 1952. pp. II-6, II-9 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Fans Fete Bob Waterfield in Last Home Game". San Bernardino Daily Sun. December 15, 1952. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Bob Waterfield Trying Hand As Big Film Producer Now". Fort Lauderdale News. May 28, 1954. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Bob Waterfield Still Calls Signals for 'Russ-Field'". Independent (Long Beach, CA). September 15, 1955. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Jane Russell, Bob Waterfield Sign Widmark for Next Film". Albuquerque Journal. June 8, 1955. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Advertisement for 'The King and Four Queens'". The Indianapolis Star. January 11, 1957. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"L. A. Rams Sign Up Bob Waterfield – As Kicking Coach". Daily Independent Journal. July 9, 1954. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Bob Waterfield to Aid Coaching Staff". The Bonham Daily Favorite. August 3, 1955. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Waterfield Set as Toronto Aide". Green Bay Press-Gazette. March 8, 1957. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Waterfield Hired by Gilman as Aide: Ram Star to Coach Quarters". Los Angeles Times. June 3, 1954. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Waterfield to Succeed Gillman?". Independent (Long Beach, CA). November 10, 1959. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Rams Hire Waterfield as Head Coach". Los Angeles Times. January 13, 1960. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Watefield Quits; Svare Ram Coach". Los Angeles Times. November 7, 1952. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Jim Murray, "Waterfield Couldn't Keep Drive Going," Modesto Bee, March 31, 1983, pg. C1.
The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History – Bob Waterfield – accessed December 31, 2011
"Waterfield Makes NFL Hall of Fame". Los Angeles Times. January 20, 1965. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
Mal Florence (September 9, 1965). "Honor, Not Fanfare, for Waterfield". Los Angeles Times. p. 50 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Waterfield, Baugh Top NFL's All-1940s Team". Los Angeles Times. August 29, 1969. p. 47 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Jane Russell and Husband Adopt 3rd Baby". Los Angeles Times. November 29, 1956. p. 56 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Jane Russell Sues Bob Waterfield for Divorce". Los Angeles Times. February 4, 1967. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Waterfield Charges Jane Russell With Excessive Drinking". Los Angeles Times. March 7, 1967. p. II-1 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
"Jane Russell, Waterfield End Marriage". Los Angeles Times. July 31, 1968. p. II-2 – via Newspapers.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment