1961 Los Angeles Rams

The 1961 Los Angeles Rams had an interesting and somewhat challenging season.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Team Overview:

• The Rams were part of the NFL’s Western Conference and played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
• The team was coached by Harland Svare, who was in his second year as head coach.
• The Rams had a strong tradition of excellence, but by 1961, they were in a rebuilding phase.

Performance:

• The 1961 Rams finished the season with a 4–10 record, which placed them last in the NFL Western Conference.
• Despite the disappointing record, the Rams had some bright spots, including the emergence of key players.

Key Players:

• Norm Van Brocklin: The veteran quarterback, still one of the team’s most prominent figures. However, age and injuries were starting to take their toll on the future Hall of Famer.
• Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch: A star wide receiver who continued to be one of the top playmakers for the Rams, although he was nearing the end of his career.
• Tom Fears: Another key wide receiver who provided steady hands and leadership on the field.
• Deacon Jones: A future Hall of Famer who would go on to be a major part of the Rams’ defense in years to come.

Notable Events:

• The Rams were still in a transition period following their relocation from Cleveland to Los Angeles in 1946 and the subsequent dominance of players like Bob Waterfield and others in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
• The 1961 season was part of a rebuilding era before they would later find success with the “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line in the 1960s.

Though they didn’t fare well in terms of wins and losses, the Rams in 1961 were beginning to develop some foundational talent that would eventually help them become contenders in the later 1960s.

Head Coach: *Bob Waterfield

• To be listed, a player must have played at least one game for the team during this season.
• * Hall of Fame
• + Primary starter