FanPost

Former Ram Jack Pardee deserves some attention!

David Boss-US PRESSWIRE

Jack Pardee, who past away this week, was a Los Angeles Ram from 1957 to 1970. He was an All-Pro outside linebacker for a few years. Turf Show Times is a new phenomena and I'm probably one of the only guys who remembers the Rams teams of the 60's and 70's. Pardee - #32 - was with the Rams before he bolted along with several veteran Rams to the Redskins when George Allen took the head coaching job there.

Jack Pardee was a famous Texas A&M Aggie. A leader of the "Junction Boys" of Bear Bryant coaching fame. Only 35 players from the A&M team made it through the Junction, Tx hellfire summer that year. The rest suffered medical problems or left the team. Jack Pardee was a leader of that team and went on to success as an NFL Player and Coach and most recently was head coach of the University of Houston Cougars in 1987-1989. Andre Ware was awarded the Heisman Trophy under Coach Pardee and was quoted as saying that Jack Pardee and his wife were like surrogate parents to him.

Jack Pardee's Houston teams made the run and shoot offense a viable option for teams the couldn't recruit with the big boys of college football.

Jack Pardee deserves a special place in the hearts of all Rams fans. The entire football world should be feeling his absence. I was only 6 or 7 when I first heard his name called on T.V. and watched him hold the edge so the fearsome foursome could wreak their havoc and have never forgotten it.

Since I am in my 50s now, a lot of the heroes of my youth are passing away and I can't help but miss them!