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The '''"Fearsome Foursome"''' was a title first used in reporting American professional football, when referring to the dominating defensive lines of the [[New York Giants]], [[Detroit Lions]], [[San Diego Chargers]] of the [[American Football League]] in the early 1960s, and most famously, to the [[St. Louis Rams|Los Angeles Rams]] of the 1960s and 1970s.
The '''"Fearsome Foursome"''' was a title first used in reporting American [[Professional Football]], when referring to the dominating defensive lines of the [[San Diego Chargers]] of the [[American Football League]] in the early 1960s, the [[New York Giants]], [[Detroit Lions]] and most widely, the [[St. Louis Rams|Los Angeles Rams]] of the 1960s and 1970s.


== NFL teams ==
== Professional Football teams ==
=== New York Giants ===
=== New York Giants ===
In the 1957 season the [[New York Daily News]], a major New York city tabloid, ran an article and sketches of the [[New York Giant]] defensive line consisting of ends [[Andy Robustelli]] and [[Jim Katcavage]], and tackles [[Rosey Grier]] and [[Dick Modzelewski]] and a headline that read "A Fearsome Foursome."
In the 1957 season the [[New York Daily News]], a major New York city tabloid, ran an article and sketches of the [[New York Giant]] defensive line consisting of ends [[Andy Robustelli]] and [[Jim Katcavage]], and tackles [[Rosey Grier]] and [[Dick Modzelewski]] and a headline that read "A Fearsome Foursome."
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===San Diego Chargers===
===San Diego Chargers===
The [[San Diego Chargers]]' version of the ''"Fearsome Foursome"'' included starters [[Ron Nery]], [[Bill Hudson (American football)|Bill Hudson]], [[Ernie Ladd]], and [[Earl Faison]]. Alternate members of the group included [[Bob Petrich]], [[George Gross (American football)|George Gross]], and [[Henry Schmidt]]. The Foursome helped the Chargers reach the first two [[Professional American football championship games|American Football League Championship]] games and five altogether, winning the AFL title in 1963 with a 51 - 10 thumping of the [[Boston Patriots]].
The [[San Diego Chargers]]' version of the ''"Fearsome Foursome"'' included starters [[DE]] [[Ron Nery]], [[DT]] [[Bill Hudson (American football)|Bill Hudson]], [[DT]] [[Ernie Ladd]], and [[DE]] [[Earl Faison]]. Faison made overall AFL Rookie of the Year in 1961, a rare feat for a defensive player. Alternate members of the group included [[DE]] [[Bob Petrich]], [[DT]] [[George Gross (American football)|George Gross]], and [[DE]]-[[DT]] [[Henry Schmidt]]. At the time Gross and Ladd were two of the largest and strongest men in Professional Football. The Chargers' Foursome helped them reach the first two [[Professional American football championship games|American Football League Championship]] games and five altogether, winning the [[Professional American football championship games|AFL Championship]] in 1963 with a 51 - 10 thumping of the [[Boston Patriots]].


===Los Angeles Rams===
===Los Angeles Rams===
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This line consisted of ends [[Jack Youngblood]] and [[Fred Dryer]], and tackles [[Merlin Olsen]] and [[Larry Brooks]]. Youngblood and Olsen are NFL hall of famers while Brooks made the Pro Bowl 5 times. Dryer also made the Pro Bowl once, and set an NFL record with 2 safeties in one game vs. the Packers. Olsen retired after a 15 year career at the end of the 1976 season, and he was replaced for one year by his younger brother [[Phil Olsen]] and then by [[Mike Fanning]].
This line consisted of ends [[Jack Youngblood]] and [[Fred Dryer]], and tackles [[Merlin Olsen]] and [[Larry Brooks]]. Youngblood and Olsen are NFL hall of famers while Brooks made the Pro Bowl 5 times. Dryer also made the Pro Bowl once, and set an NFL record with 2 safeties in one game vs. the Packers. Olsen retired after a 15 year career at the end of the 1976 season, and he was replaced for one year by his younger brother [[Phil Olsen]] and then by [[Mike Fanning]].

==Also See==
* [[List of American Football League players]]


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.conigliofamily.com/Chargers.htm#FearsomeFoursomes The Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers' Fearsom Foursomes]
* [http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8074cd10 NFL Films about the LA Rams Fearsome Foursome]
* [http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8074cd10 NFL Films about the LA Rams Fearsome Foursome]


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[[Category:Nicknamed groups of American football players]]
[[Category:Nicknamed groups of American football players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Rams]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Rams]]
[[Category:San Diego Chargers]]


[[fr:Fearsome Foursome]]
[[fr:Fearsome Foursome]]

Revision as of 19:10, 4 May 2010

The "Fearsome Foursome" was a title first used in reporting American Professional Football, when referring to the dominating defensive lines of the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League in the early 1960s, the New York Giants, Detroit Lions and most widely, the Los Angeles Rams of the 1960s and 1970s.

Professional Football teams

New York Giants

In the 1957 season the New York Daily News, a major New York city tabloid, ran an article and sketches of the New York Giant defensive line consisting of ends Andy Robustelli and Jim Katcavage, and tackles Rosey Grier and Dick Modzelewski and a headline that read "A Fearsome Foursome."

Detroit Lions

The nickname "Fearsome Foursome" was first used to describe the 1962 Detroit Lions line of Roger Brown, Alex Karras, Darris McCord, and Sam Williams.

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers' version of the "Fearsome Foursome" included starters DE Ron Nery, DT Bill Hudson, DT Ernie Ladd, and DE Earl Faison. Faison made overall AFL Rookie of the Year in 1961, a rare feat for a defensive player. Alternate members of the group included DE Bob Petrich, DT George Gross, and DE-DT Henry Schmidt. At the time Gross and Ladd were two of the largest and strongest men in Professional Football. The Chargers' Foursome helped them reach the first two American Football League Championship games and five altogether, winning the AFL Championship in 1963 with a 51 - 10 thumping of the Boston Patriots.

Los Angeles Rams

Rosey Grier was acquired from the New York Giants in 1963 to join Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones as the Los Angeles Rams starting defensive line. They became known as the Fearsome Foursome, a line that Dick Butkus called "the most dominant line in football history." They gained fame as the Rams went from a perennial second division, under .500 team to a NFL powerhouse under coach George Allen. Roger Brown replaced Grier in 1968, and Diron Talbert replaced Brown in 1970. Also in 1970 Coy Bacon replaced Lamar Lundy.

The line was ultimately broken up when George Allen became coach of the Washington Redskins in 1971; Talbert and Deacon Jones followed Allen via trades in 1972 and Bacon left in 1973. After missing the playoffs from 1970-72, the Rams then won 7 straight division titles from 1973 to 1979, and were led in part by The New Fearsome Foursome.

This line consisted of ends Jack Youngblood and Fred Dryer, and tackles Merlin Olsen and Larry Brooks. Youngblood and Olsen are NFL hall of famers while Brooks made the Pro Bowl 5 times. Dryer also made the Pro Bowl once, and set an NFL record with 2 safeties in one game vs. the Packers. Olsen retired after a 15 year career at the end of the 1976 season, and he was replaced for one year by his younger brother Phil Olsen and then by Mike Fanning.

Also See

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