 IN MEMORY OF TOM FEARS, BY WATERFIELD 7 (Jan 7) |
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I became infatuated with
this team in 1947 when they became the first professional sports team to play on the west
coast (althought some say the niners began in San Fran the same yr). In 1951 , as a 13 yr
old boy, I was lucky enough to have a mother who obtained tickets to the
championship game between the Rams and the Browns. We sat on the 20 yd line nearest the
peristlyle (east end) on the Rams side. The famous pass from Van Brocklin to Fears is engrained in my memory because we were 10 rows up from the rail and Fears caught the ball right in front of us. He gave some sort of fake and the defensive back went down and Fears went almost 80 yds. (from my right to left) for the touchdown that gave them the world championship. His death is especially moving to me as it speaks not just to my youth but also to my mortality. Quite possibly it is simply the ageing of memory but it does seem like the heroes of yesterday were looked upon by our youth with far more trusting eyes than today. I think we have lost a sense of innocence that was once present. Fears had a warmth about him. Our world of athletes today seems so edgy, harsh, and in your face. I have had too much wine and am going to bed to dream of the days of Waterfield, Van Brocklin, Hirsch, Bass, Arnett, Fears, Smith, Kalminor, Towler, Younger, Robestelli, Richter............zzzzzzzzzz |
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