Tom Fears

Thomas Jesse Fears (December 3, 1922 – January 4, 2000) was a Mexican-American professional football player who played split end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League for nine seasons, from 1948 to 1956. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, he was the son of a Mexican mother, Carmen Valdés, and an American father, mining engineer Charles William Fears. The family moved to Los Angeles when Fears was six, and there he developed an early work ethic, unloading flowers for 25 cents an hour and later working as an usher at football games for double that.

Fears first played football at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, where he met Toby Freedman of Beverly Hills High School, a longtime friend. After graduating, he enrolled at Santa Clara University, spending one year there before being drafted into military service during World War II, where he remained for three years. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins.

After his playing career, Fears became an NFL assistant coach and later the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.