Bob Waterfield

Triple-threat star who led the Rams to two NFL championships and was a Hall of Fame quarterback, kicker, and defensive back.

Bob Waterfield (July 26, 1920 – March 25, 1983) was an American professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played in the NFL for eight seasons, primarily as a quarterback, but also as a safety, kicker, punter and sometimes return specialist with the Cleveland / Los Angeles Rams. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. His No. 7 jersey was retired by the Rams in 1952. He was also a motion picture actor and producer.

Quick Facts

Position

Quarterback
safety
kicker
punter

Born

26 July 1920

Birthplace

Elmira, New York, U.S.

Died

25 March 1983

Place of death

Burbank, California, U.S.

High school

Van Nuys (Los Angeles, California)

College

UCLA (1941–1942, 1944)

Draft year

1944

Lore & Background

Waterfield was born in Elmira, New York, and moved to Los Angeles as an infant. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins in 1941, 1942, and 1944. In 1942, he led UCLA to a Pacific Coast Conference championship and its first Rose Bowl and was selected as the quarterback on the All-Pacific Coast team. From 1945 to 1952, he played quarterback for the Cleveland Rams in the NFL. He led the Rams to NFL championships in 1945 and 1951 and was selected as the NFL's most valuable player in 1945. He was the first-team All-Pro quarterback in 1945, 1946, and 1949. He set NFL career place-kicking records with 315 extra points and 60 field goals, as well as a single-game record with five field goals in a game. Waterfield was married to movie actress Jane Russell from 1943 to 1968. He served as the head coach of the Rams from 1960 to 1962.

Reader's Guide

Waterfield was drafted by the Cleveland Rams in the fifth round (42nd overall pick) of the 1945 NFL draft. He signed with the Rams in June 1945. As a rookie, he led the 1945 Rams to the NFL championship. He led the NFL in 1945 with 1,627 yards of total offense, 14 touchdown passes, and an average of 9.4 yards per attempt. He also led the league with 17 interceptions. In 1946, he led the NFL in pass attempts (251), completions (127), and passing touchdowns (17). In 1950, he shared quarterback duties with Norm Van Brocklin; his 57.3% completion percentage was the best in the NFL that season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Bob Waterfield?

Bob Waterfield was a professional football player who starred for the Los Angeles Rams between 1945 and 1952. He is widely considered one of the franchise's most iconic early quarterbacks.

What positions did he play on the field?

During his tenure, he served as a quarterback, safety, kicker, punter, and return specialist. This versatility earned him the reputation of being a true triple-threat star on the field.

Which championships did Waterfield win with the team?

Waterfield led the team to NFL championship titles in 1945 and 1951 during his time with the club. He also secured the league's MVP award for his outstanding performance in the 1945 season.

Why is Bob Waterfield's number retired?

The Rams retired his number 7 jersey in 1952 as a tribute to his significant achievements on the field. This honor recognized him as a foundational legend of the organization long before he entered the Hall of Fame.

When did Bob Waterfield enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

He was officially enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 for his career accomplishments. This induction solidified his legacy as one of the greatest players in NFL history.