[moklerman]

John Hadl.

[Elvis]

John Hadl.

Ah, slightly before my time, as is the idea of a QB wearing 21...

[moklerman]

John Hadl.

Ah, slightly before my time, as is the idea of a QB wearing 21...

It's a little before my time too and I didn't actually realize Cappelletti went back that far. Hadl only played for the Rams in 1973 and part of 1974 before being traded to GB. The Rams got a lot in return but it was a different time back then. The running game was king and as long as the Rams had their o-line and defense, they didn't really value the QB position the way that it is now.

Hadl was a legend for the AFL Chargers and is most known that way IMO. But he was a pro bowler and all-pro for the Rams in 1973.

Even back then, though, #21 was unusual for a QB to wear. Other than Van Brocklin, I can't think of any other QB's that wore #20+ in the NFL. In 1973, a rule was put in place by the NFL that put restrictions on which numbers each position could wear but those who fell outside those rules were allowed to continue wearing their number and grandfathered in.

As I said, Hadl's salad days were with the Chargers and even though he had success in 1973 with the Rams, he was well into his 30's and the team made the right move in trading him. After he got to GB, which at that time was a pretty lousy team, he struggled. Actually, he was struggling with the Rams when they traded him mid-season. GB gave him the rest of '74 and then '75 to see if he could regain his form but he was turning the ball over a LOT. He finished out his career with Houston.

One of the cards I used to have of his was from 1977:

Considering my images of what a QB was supposed to look like were guys like Roger Staubach, Joe Namath, Bert Jones and Vince Ferragamo...Hadl looked like the comic relief neighbor on a sitcom.

Dude could sling it back in the day though. 6 time pro bowler and an all-pro. He was the trigger man for the legendary Sid Gillman offenses that inspired and were a precursor to Coryell and Martz(among others). Some QB's just go with coaches. You think of Walsh, you think Montana. Brown/Graham, Coryell/Fouts, Martz/Warner. Well, Hadl was Gillman.

[Hacksaw]

Cappelletti is a good one. Don't want to give away tomorrow but is that Nolan Cromwell (or is that photo pre-Cromwell)? And if so, we looking at a kick return?

[moklerman]

Geez Hacksaw, I kind of covered that!

But the official first #21 on our list is:
The aforementioned Nolan Cromwell


One of the best in the game in his era, will always be "21" in my mind.

[den-the-coach]

Here Since Hadl.

[Hacksaw]

Geez Hacksaw, I kind of covered that!

But the official first #21 on our list is:
The aforementioned Nolan Cromwell


One of the best in the game in his era, will always be "21" in my mind.

Sorry big daddy. I responded to your post with a pic and didn't read the rest of the thread up to your post.
That pic of Hadl you posted reminded me that when I was a kid how I preferred it when he left his helmet on. lol


My favorite Rams of all time are between Jack Reynolds, ED, KW and Nolan Cromwell. If he had only caught that Bradshaw duck.

[Elvis]

Ok, but in my defense (and it's a bad defense) Cromwell was a college QB.

Let's not forget SB champion Dexter McCleon:

[OldSchool]

Cromwell was one of my favorites. IMO a very underrated all time Rams great.

[den-the-coach]

Won't forgive him for his coverage against the Cowboys in the playoff game back in 73, but Steve Preece