Member Biography

Norm Van Brocklin was calm under the pressures of a charging defense. The Oregon quarterback was cool and quick-thinking, a master at calling "automatics" when his quick mind sized up a play situation. He was fast to learn that a good quarterback watched the defense, not his receivers. Norm was gifted with a peripheral vision that allowed him to take into view the entire panorama of play. This gift, along with a natural passing arm, made Van Brocklin the nation's premier quarterback in the post World War II era. He led Oregon to a 9-2 record in 1948, earning All-America honors along the way. From Oregon, Norm advanced to a 12-year professional career with the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles, leading his team to the world championship in 1960, his final season as a player. "He had a rubber arm," said an admiring Otto Graham. And after he became a star in the pros it seemed he would go on forever. Norm did go on to become a professional coach, continuing to use his fine tactical mind in football's ultimate leadership role.