Tommy Mason dies at 75 Years of Age-Ed Sabol dies at 98

[Retroram52]

Tommy Mason, the number one overall pick in the 1961 NFL draft died yesterday at the age of 75. He was chosen first overall by the then Boston Patriots, played with the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams finishing his career in 1971 with the Washington Redskins.

He played with the Rams between 1966 and 1970 and was a damn good running back. He wore number 20 and he married ex-Olympian gymnast Kathy Rigby. He was a stud RB back-in-the-day and was around when Roman Gabriel was the QB and he ran behind a stellar O-line that featured some real All-Pros like Charlie Cowan, John Williams, and big Bob Brown at tackle, Tom Mack and Joe Scibelli at guard, and Ken Iman at center.

 

[Red_Chaos]

RIP

 

[Retroram52]

Along with ex-Rams Tommy Mason who died earlier in the year, Ed Sabol died today here in Phoenix at his home at 98 years of age. Here is the link.

NFL Films founder Ed Sabol dies at age 98 - ESPN

 

[bluepigpen]

He made the NFL what it is today. God found a great artist for his children. Thank you Ed.

 

[Retroram52]

I totally agree Blue. I remember as a kid, I couldn't wait to see those NFL Films excerpts before every season that would just get me so stoked. He definitely was a gem.

 

[Smed55]

Tommy Mason, the number one overall pick in the 1961 NFL draft died yesterday at the age of 75. He was chosen first overall by the then Boston Patriots, played with the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams finishing his career in 1971 with the Washington Redskins.

He played with the Rams between 1966 and 1970 and was a damn good running back. He wore number 20 and he married ex-Olympian gymnast Kathy Rigby. He was a stud RB back-in-the-day and was around when Roman Gabriel was the QB and he ran behind a stellar O-line that featured some real All-Pros like Charlie Cowan, John Williams, and big Bob Brown at tackle, Tom Mack and Joe Scibelli at guard, and Ken Iman at center.

We need to stop bringing up these great olines from the past how could we have such GREAT olines back then? We had 5 good to great Olinemen a couple of different decades, but now we can't even find ONE good olineman, although I'm "hoping" that Robinson becomes one

Just kidding Retro, always nice to at least reminisce about "the good old days"!

 

[Retroram52]

Yea I hear you Smed. It is one of the sources of frustration for me with today's Rams and some of their young fans. They have not witnessed some of the real greats of our history and when things really get crappy, I go back for a little comfort.

 

[Vitamike]

What a trio he, his son Steve and John Facenda made!

Changed the way we now view and remember the game.

 

[ozarkram]

If this doesn't make you want to put some pads on nothing will!

 

[Retroram52]

Yea Vita. Facenda's voice and intonnation brought an almost mystical quality to the documentaries they developed of the game. All three will be missed because they were consistent innovators and entrepreneurs in the purest form of the meaning of those words.