Les Josephson

Lester Andrew Josephson (July 29, 1942 – January 1, 2020) was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football at Augustana College.

Les Josephson
No. 34
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1942-07-29)July 29, 1942
Minneota, Minnesota
Died:January 1, 2020(2020-01-01) (aged 77)
Tucson, Arizona
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:Minneota (MN)
College:Augustana (SD)
Undrafted:1964
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:129
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Josephson's football career had its start in his high school days in Minneota, Minnesota, where he played 8-man football. He did not play 11-man ball until he enrolled at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.[1]

He was a two-way player at running back and linebacker, receiving Williamson Midbracket All-America honors as a senior.[2] He finished his college career with 1,422 rushing yards and a school record 5.2 yards per carry.[3]

Josephson also practiced track, setting the South Dakota collegiate record in the high jump (6 feet, 5 inches), winning high jump title at the North Central Conference meet and the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in 1963.[1]

In 1980, he was inducted into the Augustana Athletics Hall of Fame.[4] In 1989, he was inducted into the Dakota Relays Hall of Fame.[5]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Josephson was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1964 NFL Draft, because they were impressed with his athletic ability. The Cowboys needed an offensive tackle because of injuries and although they did not want to lose Josephson, he was traded during training camp to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for offensive tackle Jim Boeke on August 19.[6]

Los Angeles Rams

In 1964, Josephson joined the backfield of Roman Gabriel as a rookie fullback, where became a team leader for the next decade. He also was given the nickname "blond bull".[7]

He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1967, after having his best professional season with 800 rushing yards. In the Pro Bowl, he scored a first-quarter touchdown in the 38–20 West victory.[8]

In 1968, he suffered a left calf injury in pre-season, while running through the stadium tunnel to the field.[9] After the cast for the injury was removed, he tore the Achilles tendon of the same leg, while jumping rope during his rehabilitation and was placed on the injured reserve list in October.[10]

Although injuries including a broken jaw and the ruptured Achilles tendon slowed him down, he still contributed to the team for many years. In 1975, he retired after he was waived during the preseason.[11] At the time, his 3,407 rushing yards were the third highest rushing total in Rams' history.[12]

Personal life

After his football career, he acted in several films and served as a football film consultant. He also was a radio color commentator for the University of Arizona football games.[7] He died on January 1, 2020, at the age of 77.[1]

Films and television

References
  1. "Athletics Mourns the Passing of Les Josephson". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  2. "Augustana All-Americans". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  3. "A celebration of 100 years of Augustana Football: The 1960s". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  4. "Les Josephson Hall of Fame bio". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  5. "Names in the News". Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  6. "Hallas Pessimistic". Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  7. Hansen, Greg (November 19, 2019). "Les Josephson, the 'blond bull' who went from the NFL's Rams to a Tucson broadcast booth, has still got it". Tucson.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  8. "Defensive Plays Turns Tide For West In Pro Bowl Win". The Pittsburgh Press. January 22, 1968. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  9. "Backs Renew College Rivalry". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. December 26, 1968. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  10. "Josephson Out For Year". Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida. October 1, 1968. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  11. "Rams Waive Josephson". Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press. August 5, 1975. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  12. "Les Josephson Waived By Rams". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. August 5, 1975. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
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