Speakers Bio

Jack Youngblood


Jack Youngblood, a 6-4, 247-pound All-America from the University of Florida, excelled for 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams from 1971 to 1984. As the 20th player selected in the first round of the 1971 draft, Youngblood made his presence felt almost immediately. He did so well as a backup to superstar Deacon Jones at left defensive end as a rookie that the Rams traded Jones before the 1972 season. Youngblood divided his playing time with Fred Dryer that year and then took over as the starting left defensive end in his third campaign in 1973. He played with distinction at that position the rest of his 202-game career.

Youngblood, who was born January 26, 1950, in Jacksonville, Florida, was rugged, determined, a dominant defender and the Rams' perennial quarterback sack leader. He played in a Rams' record 201 consecutive games and only missed one game in 14 seasons, that one miss coming in his final year in 1984. The Rams' defensive captain, he was a three-time winner of the Dan Reeves Award given to that team's most valuable player each season.

Youngblood was all-pro in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978 and 1979 and All-NFC seven times. He played in seven straight Pro Bowls following each season from 1973 to 1979. During his tenure, the Rams played in five NFC championship games and they advanced to Super Bowl XIV following the 1979 season. In a first-round playoff game that year, Youngblood suffered a fractured left fibula. However, he was fitted with a plastic brace and he played every defensive down in both the NFC title game and Super Bowl XIV against the Pittsburgh Steelers. One of his most outstanding single-game performances came against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1975 playoff game. Youngblood recorded one sack, one forced fumble, one blocked extra-point attempt and returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown.

After backing up well-known quarterback Boomer Esiason for three years, Frank Reich became a starter for the University of Maryland. His hard work and patience had paid off, and he was eager to make the most of the opportunity. But when he got injured in the fourth game of his senior season, the chance to play professional football seemed lost. Profoundly disappointed and confused, Frank wondered about God’s plan for his life.
Then, in a game against the Miami Hurricanes, Frank Reich came off the bench to play a key role in the high point of the season. Down by a daunting 31 to 0, Frank entered the game, directed Maryland’s first points and led the team to a remarkable 42-40 victory. Reflecting on the entire season, Frank began to recognize how God was building and refining his character.

He could not have known that history would repeat itself eight years later. Frank started for the Buffalo Bills in the playoff game against the Houston Oilers, where the losing team would be eliminated from the race to the Super Bowl. Stunned as the Oilers charged to a 35-3 lead, Frank looked to stop their stampede one play at a time. Although no team had ever won after being down by 32 points, when the Bills scored two quick touchdowns in the third quarter, Frank recalled his college comeback. Buffalo captured the lead in the final minutes of overtime and won 41 to 38 – an NFL comeback record that still stands today.

After that dramatic victory, Frank Reich took his faith from the field to the locker room where he delivered a powerful message to an unusually responsive media. While each camera continued to roll, he gave God the glory for his part in this historic win.

Less than a month later, the Bills made it to the Super Bowl XXVII. In the second quarter, starting quarterback Jim Kelly had to leave the game due to injury. Frank came in, buoyed by his confidence that God would hand them a victory. If they won, Frank would have the world’s attention to again honor his heavenly Father. But God had other plans. The Buffalo Bills lost 52 to 17, on of the most lopsided Super Bowls of all time.