NFL Team History: The St. Louis Rams

The franchise nicknamed 'Rams' was originally founded in 1936 by Homer Marshman and was located in Cleveland, Ohio. They were originally a member of the American Football League. However, in 1937, they opted to join the National Football League. The Cleveland Rams were placed in the in NFL Western Division. Ironically, the Rams replaced the St. Louis Gunners in the NFL. The Rams ultimately relocated to St. Louis, Missouri nearly 60 years later.

The name 'Rams' derived from Fordham University, as that was their team name as well.

Hugo Bezdek was the first head coach hired by the NFL version of the Rams.

The Cleveland Rams team that was a member of the AFL was a separate entity than the Rams team that became a member of the NFL. The Rams produced a 5-2-2 regular season record in the AFL; however, the results were practically polar opposite in the NFL as they posted a dreadful 1-10 record. The abysmal season began with a humbling 28-0 defeat to the Detroit Lions on opening day. Eleven days later, the Rams would score their first NFL victory, and the lone victory of the season, against the Philadelphia Eagles. The final score in that contest was 21-3.

The Rams improved as the decade proceeded, but there best regular season record was 5-5-1 in 1939.

The Cleveland Rams franchise was sold to Daniel F. Reeves and his business colleague Fred Levy Jr prior to the 1941 NFL season.

Two years later, World War II became a priority and several NFL teams were forced to temporarily shut down due to a shortage of players. The Rams were one of those franchises that opted to briefly suspend operations. Meanwhile, Reeves bought out Levy's interest in the franchise.

In 1944, the Rams were back in action; however, they would post a mere 4-6 regular season record. In 1945, the Rams would drastically improve with a regular season record of 9-1. Their first NFL Championship became a reality when they defeated the Washington Redskins 15-14 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Rams quarterback Bob Waterfield earned the title as NFL Most Valuable Player.

Despite the championship, the Rams were approved to transfer the team to Los Angeles, California the following season, much to the chagrin of the fans in Cleveland.

The Rams opening season in Los Angeles was a downgrade from their final season in Cleveland as they finished the regular season with a 6-4-1 record.

The 1946 season for the Rams was momentous in the fact that the NFL permitted integration for the first time, and the Rams signed Kenny Washington and Woody Strode. Washington and Strode were the first two African-Americans to play in the NFL.

The 1947 and 1948 NFL seasons produced mediocre results for the Rams; however, things began to turn around for the Pacific coast franchise as they posted an 8-2-2 record. They were set to face the Philadelphia Eagles on their home field for the NFL title; consequently, they would suffer a 14-0 shutout. The game was marred by unpleasant weather conditions.

In 1950, the Rams resurfaced as NFL Championship contenders; however, they were victims of sweet revenge by the city of Cleveland. Five years earlier, the Rams abandoned the city of Cleveland as they relocated their personnel to Los Angeles. In 1950, the Cleveland Browns, formerly of the All-American Football Conference, joined the NFL and earned an opportunity to host the Rams in the NFL Championship event. In a game that featured the two teams swapping the lead, a field goal would give the Browns the lead 30-28. The Rams did not have an answer and the city of Cleveland enjoyed one of the sweetest victories they could hope for.

A year later, the Rams would return the favor by defeating the Browns 24-17.

The Rams and Browns faced off again for the 1955 NFL Championship, but it was the Browns celebrating a 38-14 triumph.

For seven of the subsequent ten seasons, the Rams suffered through losing seasons. An 8-6 record in 1966 ended the streak of losing seasons.

The Rams enjoyed success over the next five seasons; however, they would come up short of earning their first Super Bowl appearance.

In 1972, Robert Irsay acquired the Rams franchise from the estate of the late Daniel F. Reeves. Reeves had passed away in April of 1971 due to cancer. Once Irsay acquired ownership of the franchise, he bartered the team to Carroll Rosenbloom, and in return, he received the Baltimore Colts franchise.

Following the peculiar transactions, the Rams proceeded to capture the next seven NFC West Division titles. The Rams were eliminated from playoff contention by the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings in each of the seasons until 1979.

In the 1979 post-season, the Rams knocked off the Cowboys 21-19 before blanking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-0 a week later. The Rams were finally destined to play in the coveted Super Bowl.

In Super Bowl XIV, The formidable Pittsburgh Steelers overpowered the Rams in a 31-19 victory.

In 1979, Rams owner Carol Rosenbloom passed away and his widow Georgia Frontiere inherited controlling interest in the franchise.

In 1980, the team moved their homes games to Anaheim, California. They would end the season with an 11-5 record. In 1983, the Rams selected running back Eric Dickerson as their first pick in the NFL draft. A year later, he would boast a new single season NFL record for rushing yards with 2,105.

After qualifying for the NFL playoffs the previous four seasons, the Rams would slip to a disappointing 6-9 record in 1987. They returned to the post-season in 1988 and 1989.

Nevertheless, most of the decade of the 1990's was dreadful for Rams fans. From 1990 to 1994, the team would undergo losing seasons. Following the 1994 season, the Rams would relocate to St. Louis, Missouri after 49 years in Los Angeles.

The first four seasons in St. Louis produced lackluster results as they failed to post a winning season. In 1997, the Rams hired former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil to lead the team.

Prior to the 1999 season, the Rams acquired running back Marshall Faulk via trade with the Indianapolis Colts. Faulk would earn Offensive Player of the Year, and recently unknown quarterback Kurt Warner would claim NFL MVP honors. Along with wide receiver Isaac Bruce, the high-powered offense led the Rams to an NFL best 13-3 record. In fact, because of their tendency to score points in abundance, they were identified as 'the greatest show on turf'.

In the post-season, they would defeat the Minnesota Vikings 49-37 and proceed to edge out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-6 in the NFC Championship game. For the first time since 1979, the Rams were headed to the Super Bowl.

In Super Bowl XXXIV, the Rams were challenged by the surprising Tennessee Titans. With just over two minutes remaining in the game, the Rams and Titans were stuck in a 16-16 tie before Kurt Warner and Isaac Bruce connected for a 73 yard touchdown score. The Rams now controlled the scoreboard 23-16. Led by quarterback Steve McNair, the Titans were in position to possibly tie the ball game; however, the pass to wide receiver Kevin Dyson was eighteen inches shy of the end zone. The Rams captured their first Super Bowl in franchise history and their first league championship since 1951.

Following the Super Bowl triumph, head coach Dick Vermeil retired from the NFL. Mike Martz assumed the head coach position.

After a disappointing post-season loss to the New Orleans Saints in 2000, the Rams returned to the Super Bowl in 2001 after defeating the Green Bay Packers 45-17 and the Philadelphia Eagles 29-24.

The Rams headed into Super Bowl XXXVI as 14 point favorites over the New England Patriots. Nonetheless, the Rams were held in check for most of the game until a fourth quarter rally tied the score at 17 apiece. But the Patriots were not to be denied as a game-winning field goal gave the heavy underdogs the 20-17 upset victory. Clearly, this was arguably one of the biggest upset in Super Bowl history.

On a finer note, Rams quarterback Warner earned his second MVP award in three years.

Injuries to Warner and declining offensive production haunted the Rams in 2002 as they finished the season with a 7-9 record, their worst since 1998. However, Rams fans got a glimpse of their up and coming quarterback Marc Bulger.

In 2003, nagging injuries finally forced Kurt Warner out of the starting lineup, as Bulger would guide the Rams to a 12-4 record. Nevertheless, the Rams playoff run ended with a 29-23 defeat to the Carolina Panthers.

In 2004, the Rams 8-8 record was sufficient enough to land them a spot in the playoff bracket. After defeating the Seattle Seahawks 27-20, the Rams were routed by the Atlanta Falcons 47-17.

In 2005 and 2006, the Rams failed to earn a post-season berth.

Prior to the 2006 season, Mike Martz was replaced by Scott Linehan as head coach.