Former Rams Pitch In to Help Out Lundy

FULLERTON — Approximately 40 former Rams, two coaches and a load of former season-ticket holders were among the 3,000 at Cal State Fullerton Sunday afternoon to help an old teammate.

The event was organized by former Rams Merlin Olsen, Deacon Jones and Rosey Grier to raise money for Lamar Lundy, who was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer last fall.

They recalled the good times, ran a couple hundred curl patterns, and autographed everything from a 1967 program from a game against Green Bay to Rammy Whammys, made popular during the 1979 Super Bowl season.

The four became widely known as the Fearsome Foursome, which dominated offensive lines in the 1960s. And they dominated the crowd at the four-hour event. A line of fans to get autographs crept down a sideline and up to midfield. With each person paying $10 to get in line, in addition to the entry fee, the event raised $30,000.

“Rosey, Deacon and I had a chance to visit with Lamar in his hometown in Indiana about three months ago, and we discovered he had cancer,” Olsen said. “We decided we had to do something. The feeling was we should give Ram fans a chance to be involved, and I’m absolutely delighted to see that so many of them took advantage of it.”

Joe Salas, a former 20-year season-ticket holder from Chino Hills, relished the chance to meet some of his favorite players and listen to their stories from playoff games 30 years ago. “I’m still shaking because I was talking to Jack Snow,” Salas said. “He was my favorite player since I was a kid.”

Snow, who flew in from St. Louis on Saturday to attend the event, entertained admirers as his young granddaughter weaved between his legs. Snow autographed a 1967 program and remembered the blocked punt that led to the improbable victory over Green Bay.

“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” said Snow, who had 45 touchdown receptions between 1965 and 1975. “It was a pleasure and a privilege to play in the same era and be on the same team as Lamar.”

Lamar Lundy Jr., with the size and features of his father, was touched by the high-profile athletes who came to help raise money for the Lamar Lundy Cancer Fund. “These are the kinds of things that he needs during these times,” Lundy said. “It makes him feel like everything is worth his while.

“My dad’s attitude and personality never changes, he’s an upbeat person. But it’s disheartening. We all know there could be a car accident or something, but when you know what’s going on, it makes you deal with things a little differently.”

Former All-Pro tight end John Mackey of the Baltimore Colts donated his jersey, which was autographed by the rest of the all-time team, and it was auctioned for $200.

Others in attendance included Vince Ferragamo, who threw passes to fans, and Ron Jessie, Johnnie Johnson, Robert Del Pino and Leroy Irvin, who ran patterns and caught passes from the young admirers. Signing autographs was Roger Brown, who replaced Grier on the line when Grier retired after the 1966 season.

Other Rams, who were not as nimble, but just as popular, included Dick Hoerner, who played from 1947 to 1951, and Les Richter an eight-time Pro-Bowl selection who played from 1954 to 1962.