Four times, the Ram have won the NFC Championship Game. In each instance, there was one player who, in my mind, stood out as achieving legendary status for the Rams. Not necessarily the best player on the team, or the one who accumulated the most stats in the game. Just the guy I remember the most.
1979: Jack Youngblood
Just the fact that he played in this game at all gets him the nod. As many recall, he fractured his fibula in the previous week against the Cowboys, and played anyway. No DNP on Wednesday, "limited" on Thursday, and "Questionable" going into the game. Just suited up and helped the Rams shut out the Buccaneers to make the Super Bowl.
1999: Ricky Proehl
The GSOT had so many weapons, from HOFers Isaac Bruce and Marshall Faulk and likely future HOF Torry Holt, to the speedy Az Hakim. But, with the game on the line, it was Ricky Proehl, who had not scored a TD all year, who made the great catch to help ensure that the 1999 Cinderella run didn't end with a defeat. A forever moment for Rams fans.
2001: Aeneas Williams
Williams had a great career with the Cardinals before joining the Rams, and quickly became a leader on our defense. After years of personal success, but little team glory, it was great to see Williams seal the game with an INT at the Rams' 35 yard line with under two minutes remaining and the Rams clinging to a five point lead. Still sad that he didn't get a ring, but he'll always have that moment.
2018: Greg Zuerlein
This was a strange one. Of course, Nickel Robey-Coleman nearly became a legend of infamy with a hit that should have been flagged, and John Johnson's overtime interception is noteworthy, but it was Zuerelein's 57 yard walk-off FG that stands out in my mind. FGs may not be the most exciting plays in football, but that one was clutch.
Who will be the next legend?
Stay tuned.
1979: Jack Youngblood
Just the fact that he played in this game at all gets him the nod. As many recall, he fractured his fibula in the previous week against the Cowboys, and played anyway. No DNP on Wednesday, "limited" on Thursday, and "Questionable" going into the game. Just suited up and helped the Rams shut out the Buccaneers to make the Super Bowl.
1999: Ricky Proehl
The GSOT had so many weapons, from HOFers Isaac Bruce and Marshall Faulk and likely future HOF Torry Holt, to the speedy Az Hakim. But, with the game on the line, it was Ricky Proehl, who had not scored a TD all year, who made the great catch to help ensure that the 1999 Cinderella run didn't end with a defeat. A forever moment for Rams fans.
2001: Aeneas Williams
Williams had a great career with the Cardinals before joining the Rams, and quickly became a leader on our defense. After years of personal success, but little team glory, it was great to see Williams seal the game with an INT at the Rams' 35 yard line with under two minutes remaining and the Rams clinging to a five point lead. Still sad that he didn't get a ring, but he'll always have that moment.
2018: Greg Zuerlein
This was a strange one. Of course, Nickel Robey-Coleman nearly became a legend of infamy with a hit that should have been flagged, and John Johnson's overtime interception is noteworthy, but it was Zuerelein's 57 yard walk-off FG that stands out in my mind. FGs may not be the most exciting plays in football, but that one was clutch.
Who will be the next legend?
Stay tuned.
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