While some markets are easier than others, every expansion team struggles to attract attention and grow a fervent fanbase. That was certainly the case with the 1946 Los Angeles Rams. Having just left the grimy confines of Cleveland, Ohio, the Rams front office knew that they needed local talent to fill the massive Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Luckily for them, Southern California is always filled with talented players from the two largest universities in the area: USC and UCLA.
Woody Strode, HB, UCLA:
Woody Strode was born in Los Angeles on July 25, 1914, starring on the football field at nearby Thomas Jefferson High School before attending UCLA. While in Westwood, he competed in the decatholon, one tossing a shotput 50 feet and posting a high jump of 6'5".
He starred on the same football field with Kenny Washington, Jackie Robinson and Ray Bartlett. Together, the acclaimed "Gold Dust Gang" went undefeated in 1939, playing USC to a scoreless tie. After graduation, Woody Strode played for the PCPFL's Hollywood Bears from 1940 through 1942 before joining the Armed Services for WWII.
After the war, he joined the Rams where he caught four passes for 37 yards in his lone season in the NFL. He found his greatest professional success with the Calgary Stampeders, winning the CFL's Grey Cup in 1948 and was twice named a CFL All-Star.
He retired in 1949 after suffering fractures in his ribs and shoulder and transitioned smoothly into a new profession: Hollywood. In a career that spanned decades, Woody Strode acted in numerous classics including Spartacus and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. He died in Glendora on December 31, 1994.
Kenny Washington, HB, UCLA:
Kenny Washington was born in Los Angeles on August 31, 1918. After starring at Lincoln High School, he joined Woody Strode, Jackie Robinson, and Ray Bartlett at UCLA where he became the first All American football player in the school's illustrious history. His career 1,914 rushing yards was a school record for 34 years and earned him an induction into hte College Football Hall of Fame in 1956.
After graduation, he played for the Hollywood Bears (1940, 1941 and 1945) and the San Francisco Clippers (1944) before joining the rams in 1946. As a running back in 1946, Washington ran for 114 yards and a touchdown while catching six passes for 83 yards. In three years with the franchise, he rushed 140 times for 859 yards and eight touchdowns.
After his time with the Rams concluded in 1948, Kenny Washington played baseball for the PCL's Los Angeles Angels in 1950. He died in his hometown on June 24, 1971 and with his jersey number 13 being retired at UCLA, his memory is forever memorialized at his alma mater.
Bob Waterfield, QB, UCLA: (click here)
Jack Banta, HB, USC:
Jack Banta was born in Los Angeles on November 19, 1917. After attending Los Angeles High School, he earned a football scholarship to USC where coach Howard Jones made the most of his skills as a running back.
He was taken in the 10th round of the 1941 NFL Draft by the Boston Redskins but never played for them and instead was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles where he played in 1941 and again from 1044 through 1945 after serving as a Lieutenant Jr. Grade during World War II. He was a decent runner in Philadelphia, with his best year being in 1944 when he ran 38 times for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
He signed with the Rams in 1946 and proved his value as both a runner and a receiver, rushing 44 times for 209 yards and catching eight passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. In three years as a Ram, Banta ran for 507 yards and that lone touchdown in 1946. While in L.A., he dabbled in acting, taking part in Easy Living, Time Out of Rhythm and Knute Rockne All American. Jack Banta died in New Port Beach on February 22, 1977.
Jim Hardy, QB, USC:
Jim Hardy was born in Los Angeles on April 24, 1923. He starred as a quarterback at Fairfax High School and was offered a scholarship to USC. His greatest achievement as a Trojan was leading his squad to a resounding 25-0 win over Tennessee in the 1945 Rose Bowl where he was named the game's MVP.
He was taken eighth over all by the Redskins in 1945 and watched as his new teammates lost to Bob Waterfield and the Cleveland Rams in the 1945 NFL Championship Game. Ironically, he signed with the Rams when they moved to Hardy's hometown months later. He saw spot action with the Rams that year and though he never started a game, he managed to complete 37.5% of his pases for 285 yards and two touchdowns against seven interceptions.
He stayed in L.A. through 1948 and moved on to the Chicago Cardinals where he earned two distinctions in 1950: he threw the most interceptions in a game (eight against the Eagles) and was invited to the Pro Bowl. After moving on to and winning the NFL championship with the Detroit Lions in 1952, Jim Hardy retired. At the time of his death on August 16, 2019, he was the oldest living member of the USC and Los Angeles Rams football teams. He was 96.
Bob Hoffman, HB/DB, USC:
Bob Hoffman was born in Star City, West Virginia on December 13, 1917. He earned a football scholarship to USC where he was the team's leading receiver in 1938. After winning Rose Bowls in 1938 and 1939 over Duke and Tennessee, respectively, he was taken in the ninth round of the 1940 NFL Draft by the Boston Redskins.
He was only in Boston for two years before serving his country during World War II and when he returned, he signed with the Rams who had just moved into the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. He rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns in 1946 and scored 10 touchdowns in three years with the organization.
After playing for the Los Angeles Dons in 1949, Bob Hoffman retired and spent his remaining years as a teacher and coach at Taft Junior College. He even led the school to the 1955 junior college national championship. bob Hoffman died on April 13, 2005.
Pat West, FB, USC:
Pat West was born in Florence, Pennsylvania on February 21, 1923. After played at USC, he was drafted in the 28th round by the Cleveland Rams in 1945. After winning it all as a rookie, he and the team moved to Los Angeles where he ran 40 times for 226 yards and a touchdown. It was easily his best year as he only scored three times in his career.
His time with the Rams came to an end in 1948 and he quickly signed with the Green Bay Packers. After playing for the Edmonton Eskimos in 1949, Pat West retired from the game. He died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on February 7, 1996.
Bob deLauer, OL, USC:
Bob deLauer was born in San Francisco on August 30, 1920. After graduating from San Diego's Hoover High School, he played on the offensive line at USC before being drafted in the tenth round of the 1942 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Rams.
After serving America during World War II, he returned stateside in 1945 where the Rams still needed his services on the offensive line. He played for the Rams in 1945 and 1946, just enough time to win a world championship and move with his team back to California. He retired after the 1946 season and worked as an actor, making appearances in Saturday's Hero, Peggy and Father was a Fullback. Bob deLauer died in Los Angeles on November 27, 2002.
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