Fears, "Tom" (Thomas J.)
Football
b. Dec. 23, 1923, Los Angeles, CA
d. Jan. 4, 2000
A 6-foot-2, 215-pound end, Fears began his college career at Santa Clara University. After serving in the Air Force in 1944 and 1945, he played at UCLA for two seasons.
Fears joined the NFL's Los Angeles Rams in 1948 and began his professional career as a defensive back. He intercepted two passes, running one back for a touchdown, in his first game and the Rams decided to move him back to offensive end.
Though not fast, Fears ran very precise pass routes and often used his size and strength to take passes away from defensive backs who seemed to have him covered. He led the league in receptions in each of his first three seasons, catching a total of 212 passes during that period. In 1949, Fears led in touchdown receptions with 9 and in 1950 he led in receiving yardage with 1,116. He caught 18 passes against the Green Bay Packers that season, still the NFL record.
Known for his clutch receptions, Fears caught 3 touchdown passes when Los Angeles beat the Chicago Bears 24-14 in the 1950 Western Division championship game, and he caught a 74-yard touchdown pass to beat the Cleveland Browns 24-17 for the 1951 league championship.
He retired after catching only 5 passes in 1956. During his 8 NFL seasons, Fears had exactly 400 receptions for 5,397 yards, a 13.5 average, and 38 touchdowns.
Fears became the first coach of the New Orleans Saints when the team joined the NFL in 1967. He was replaced late in the 1970 season after winning only 1 game while losing 5 and tying 1. His overall record was 13-34-2.