By John Turney
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| Tom Fears |
From December 3, 1950, through December 17, 2000, Tom Fears held the NFL record for most catches in an NFL game with 18. In 2000 the 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens caught 20 passes to best Fears' record. Owens had his record surpassed as well—Brandon Marshall of the Broncos caught 21 in a game against the Colts in 2009.
In the 1950 Rams' finale against the Packers, it is an interesting footnote that five of Fears' 18 catches were shovel passes— essentially legal laterals behind the line of scrimmage.
His catch total broke the then-NFL record of 14 which was held by four players—Ralph Heywood of the New York Bulldogs, Jim Keane of the Bears, Don Hutson of the Packers and Don Looney of the Eagles and
The shovel passes played a big part in the record-setting day as they led up to and tied the record.
Here are catches eleven, twelve, thirteen and fourteen, the last being the tying reception—.
After these four there were two catches beyond the line of scrimmage, the record breaker and one that extended the mark to sixteen.
Then another shovel pass for a touchdown and on the final drive a short pass to set the record.
Additionally, the first shovel pass was catch number 77 on the season, tying his own NFL record of 77 receptions in the season. He extended his single-season record to 84 receptions by the end of the game.
The game was a blowout with the Rams ahead 37-7 when the shovel passes began so were the Rams padding Fears' stats, employed to set records?
Almost certainly.
It would be naive to think otherwise. Stat padding happens today, it happened then.
Nonetheless, it was quite the day for Fears and one worth remembering.
From Brian wolf ...
ReplyDeleteThanks John ... Fears lined up like a true tight end on some of those catches. I thought Owens had that record; didnt realize that Marshall had it.
It wasn't until maybe 1952 that Rams began to split their ends...Hirsch and Fears (along will most ends in NFL) were tight.
DeleteTeams usually would get someone outside by motioning one of the backs to the outside . . . on occasion you'd see and end out there...just not a lot...can't know for sure, but in 1949-51 maybe 90% of time it was 2 TEs and 3 RBs in the "T"
always fascinating John, thanks.....not to nitpick (seriously), but clip #2 looks to be a tipped incompletion (Crazylegs?)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, wrong clip, put in the right one. Didn't label it right. Thanks.
DeleteI remember the Terrell Owens game that broke Fears' record. The Bears left him one-on-one all day. Poor Walt Harris, NFL respectable corner for a long time, the coaching staff never gave him any help--said it was the best way to win, let Owens do his damage and hold down the rest. It sort of worked, SF only scored 17 points...but the mighty Cade McNown offense laid a goose egg. Another shining moment in the McCaskey legacy. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteFrom Brian wolf ...
DeleteThe win turned into a huge loss however for SF as Jerry Rice decided to leave where Owens would become T.O unchecked ...
Have yet to find a sports cartoon on him by Jack Sords, Pap, Alan Maver, or Murray Olderman…was he snubbed!
ReplyDelete