Jack Youngblood - A Gator For Life
Saturday, August 30, 2008 | Football
By Kate Manly, UF Communications
“Greatness is certainly measured more than just in statistics and in honors, although Jack has piles and piles of those. It's measured in the impact a player has on those around him.”
Former Los Angeles Rams' defensive lineman Merlin Olsen used those words to honor his former teammate and friend Jack Youngblood at his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in April of 2001.
Statistically, there is no doubt that Youngblood was a great football player, both on the collegiate and professional level. However, there is one word that has been used time and time again to describe Youngblood – toughness.
Like greatness, toughness is rarely measured in statistics. Toughness is going above and beyond the call of duty. Toughness is playing through the 1979 NFL Playoffs with a broken leg. In a divisional playoff game versus the Dallas Cowboys, Youngblood was chop-blocked by two offensive linemen and snapped his fibula. Not only did he finish the game, but he played in the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XIV with a fitted leg brace on his broken leg. Even further, Youngblood sported the leg brace one more time that season, to participate in the Pro Bowl one week after the Super Bowl.
“You learned that, whatever you are doing in life, obstacles don't matter very much,” Youngblood once said of his time playing football. “Pain and other circumstances can be there, but if you want to do a job bad enough, you'll find a way to get it done.”
The toughness that Youngblood exhibited with the Los Angeles Rams was cultivated while playing on the defensive line at the University of Florida. He was recruited out of Florida's Monticello-Jefferson High School in 1967 where, as an offensive lineman and linebacker, he led his team to the state championship.
While much has been made about his toughness, Youngblood's athleticism and versatility set him apart from the very beginning of his football career. A two-way player in high school, Youngblood's talents were utilized as much as possible for the Gators as well. As a sophomore in 1968, Youngblood rotated between defensive end and tackle, while also handling the kicking responsibilities for the Orange and Blue.
His star really began to shine in 1969, his junior season. After an impressive five-sack performance versus Florida State, the nation began to take notice of Youngblood. His senior season brought him the accolades and awards that he richly deserved. With 10 sacks, Youngblood was a shoo-in for the All-SEC team and All-SEC Lineman of the Year award. He was the 1970 recipient of the Fergie Ferguson Award, which is presented to the University of Florida senior who displays outstanding leadership, character and courage.
Like many great athletes are, Youngblood has been recognized for his career at Florida long after his graduation. He was inducted into the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame after making arguably one of the greatest and most memorable plays in Gator football history. With Florida down, 17-10, Georgia had possession of the ball on Florida's 1-yard line. Not only did Youngblood stop a Georgia running back short of the goal line, he forced and recovered a fumble. That play was a turning point in the game, sparking the Gators to a 27-24 come-from-behind victory.
In addition, Youngblood has been honored with selections to the SEC All-Decade team for the 1970s and Sports Illustrated NCAA Football All-Century Team. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
Youngblood has been recognized time and time again for his hard-nosed defense as a member of Los Angeles Rams from 1971-1984. His unrelenting toughness was apparent as he played in a franchise- record 201 consecutive games, only missing one game in his 14 seasons in the NFL. During his career with the Rams, he was a three-time winner of the Dan Reeves Award, given to the team's Most Valuable Player. He was All-Pro in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978 and 1979. Youngblood played in seven-straight Pro Bowls, including the 1979 Pro Bowl in which he had broken his leg a few weeks prior.
It was his perseverance and commitment that prompted head coach Urban Meyer to invite him to be a part of the “Gator Experience.” Youngblood is one of the former Gators who often return to Gainesville and act as motivational speakers. Meyer also uses the former players to serve as examples of the rich history of Gator football.
"I think it's a tragedy for a football player to go through a school like the University of Florida and not be very familiar with the tradition and the power of this place," Meyer said.
Youngblood has been a supporter of Meyer since the head coach assumed the reigns in 2005. He recognizes the effect that Meyer has on his players and credits him for bringing back the excitement and lure of Florida football.
“There's something different about him, something unique that's been lost in translation over the years,” Youngblood said. “He has genuineness and a passion. As a player, you can sense whether that's real or contrived. We've all seen that Urban is real, that he's the man for the job.”
Although it was exactly 30 years ago that Youngblood debuted as a Florida Gator, Youngblood can clearly recall what drew him to Florida. In the same induction speech in which Olsen paid tribute to his teammate, Youngblood described his meeting the person who recruited him, former Florida baseball coach Dave Fuller.
“He saw potential in a football player and made me a Gator,” Youngblood said. “Not just for four years, but a Gator for life.”
