Les Josephson Explained

Les Josephson
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:207
Position:Running back
Number:34
Birth Date:29 July 1942
Birth Place:Minneota, Minnesota
Death Place:Tucson, Arizona
Undraftedyear:1964
High School:Minneota (MN)
College:Augustana (SD)
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:129
Pfr:JoseLe00

Lester Andrew Josephson (July 29, 1942 – January 1, 2020) was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football at Augustana College.

Early years

Josephson's football career had its start in his high school days in Minneota, Minnesota, where he played 8-man football. He did not play 11-man ball until he enrolled at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.[1]

He was a two-way player at running back and linebacker, receiving Williamson Midbracket All-America honors as a senior.[2] He finished his college career with 1,422 rushing yards and a school record 5.2 yards per carry.[3]

Josephson also practiced track, setting the South Dakota collegiate record in the high jump (6 feet, 5 inches), winning high jump title at the North Central Conference meet and the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in 1963.[1]

In 1980, he was inducted into the Augustana Athletics Hall of Fame.[4] In 1989, he was inducted into the Dakota Relays Hall of Fame.[5]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Josephson was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1964 NFL draft, because they were impressed with his athletic ability. The Cowboys needed an offensive tackle because of injuries and although they did not want to lose Josephson, he was traded during training camp to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for offensive tackle Jim Boeke on August 19.[6]

Los Angeles Rams

In 1964, Josephson joined the backfield of Roman Gabriel as a rookie fullback, where became a team leader for the next decade. He also was given the nickname "blond bull".[7]

He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1967, after having his best professional season with 800 rushing yards. In the Pro Bowl, he scored a first-quarter touchdown in the 38–20 West victory.[8]

In 1968, he suffered a left calf injury in pre-season, while running through the stadium tunnel to the field.[9] After the cast for the injury was removed, he tore the Achilles tendon of the same leg, while jumping rope during his rehabilitation and was placed on the injured reserve list in October.[10]

Although injuries, including a broken jaw and the ruptured Achilles tendon, slowed him down he still contributed to the team for many years. In 1975, he retired after he was waived during the preseason.[11] At the time, his 3,407 rushing yards were the third highest rushing total in Rams' history.[12]

Personal life

After his football career, he acted in several films and served as a football film consultant. He also was a radio color commentator for the University of Arizona football games.[7] He died on January 1, 2020, at the age of 77.[1]

Films and television

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Athletics Mourns the Passing of Les Josephson . February 19, 2023.
  2. Web site: Augustana All-Americans . February 19, 2023.
  3. Web site: A celebration of 100 years of Augustana Football: The 1960s . February 19, 2023.
  4. Web site: Les Josephson Hall of Fame bio . February 19, 2023.
  5. Web site: Names in the News . February 19, 2023.
  6. Web site: Hallas Pessimistic . February 3, 2018.
  7. Web site: Les Josephson, the 'blond bull' who went from the NFL's Rams to a Tucson broadcast booth, has still got it . Greg . Hansen . Tucson.com . November 19, 2019 . February 19, 2023.
  8. Web site: Defensive Plays Turns Tide For West In Pro Bowl Win . January 22, 1968 . The Pittsburgh Press . February 19, 2023.
  9. Web site: Backs Renew College Rivalry . December 26, 1968 . . . February 19, 2023.
  10. Web site: Josephson Out For Year . October 1, 1968 . . . February 19, 2023.
  11. Web site: Rams Waive Josephson . August 5, 1975 . Associated Press . . . February 19, 2023.
  12. Web site: Les Josephson Waived By Rams . August 5, 1975 . . . February 19, 2023.