Ed Meador facts for kids
Meador in 1959
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | August 10, 1937 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
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| Died: | September 4, 2023 (aged 86) | ||||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 193 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Russellville (Russellville, Arkansas) | ||||||||||
| College: | Arkansas Tech | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1959 / Round: 7 / Pick: 80 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Eddie Doyle Meador (born August 10, 1937 – died September 4, 2023) was an American professional football player. He played as a cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL). His career lasted from 1959 to 1970.
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
Ed Meador grew up playing many sports. He went to Russellville High School in Arkansas. He graduated in 1955.
At high school, Ed was a star in football, basketball, and track. He was named an All-Region and All-State football player. This means he was one of the best players in his area and state. His team, the Cyclones, won a football championship in 1954. Ed is now a member of his high school's Athletic Hall of Fame.
College Football Career
After high school, Meador went to Arkansas Tech University (ATU). He played college football there from 1955 to 1958. Ed was a very versatile player. He played as a tailback (who runs with the ball), a defensive back (who stops the other team), and a return specialist (who runs back kicks). He was also a co-captain for the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys team.
Besides football, he also played basketball and ran track for ATU. In 1957–58, he was named All-Conference in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. This means he was one of the best players in his college league. After his senior year, he was named a Little All-American. This honor goes to top players from smaller colleges.
During his college career, Ed ran for over 3,400 yards. He also scored 259 points. His team won the AIC championship in 1958. Ed was even invited to play in the Optimist Bowl. This was a special game for top college players. He played alongside future NFL stars like John Madden. In 1958, he was named Arkansas Amateur Athlete of the Year. He earned a teaching degree in 1959.
Playing in the NFL
Ed Meador was chosen by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1959 NFL Draft. He was the 80th player picked overall. As a rookie, he immediately became a starting cornerback. He was named the Rams' Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The next year, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl. This is an all-star game for the best players in the NFL. He was also named second-team All-Pro. This means he was one of the best players at his position in the entire league.
In 1961, Ed led the NFL in fumbles recovered. He also blocked 4 kicks in 1962, which was a record for the Rams. In 1963, he caught six passes from opposing teams (called interceptions).
In 1964, Ed changed positions to free safety. He was still a top player, making 95 tackles. He was named All-Conference by The Sporting News for many years. In 1965, he led the Rams with 126 tackles. He even scored a touchdown on a trick play from a fake field goal.
In 1966, Ed had 5 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries. The Rams team started to get better under coach George Allen. In 1967, Ed had an amazing season. He made 100 tackles and intercepted 8 passes, returning two of them for touchdowns. He was named first-team All-Pro for the first time. He earned this honor again in 1968 and 1969. In 1969, he had 102 tackles and 5 interceptions.
| “Eddie Meador was one of the finest defensive backs l have ever seen. Outstanding in coverage and a fierce tackler, he had a remarkable nose for the football that allowed him to come up with big plays again and again during his career with the Rams. He was also a fine leader and one of my favorite teammates.” |
| Merlin Olsen |
Ed Meador's Legacy
Ed Meador retired from football after the 1970 season. He holds several records for the Los Angeles Rams. He is the team's all-time leader in interceptions with 46. He also recovered the most fumbles by opponents (18). Plus, he blocked the most kicks in team history with 10.
He was named the Rams' "defensive back of the year" seven times. He was also chosen for the Los Angeles Rams All-Time team twice. He was even named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1960s. This means he was one of the best players of that entire decade.
Ed was a First-team All-Pro three times and a Second-team All-Pro three times. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl six times.
Some of his other achievements include:
- Being the President of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) from 1969 to 1970. This group represents NFL players.
- Being inducted into the Arkansas Tech University Hall of Distinction in 1969.
- Receiving the NFL Father of the Year award in 1969.
- Winning the NFLPA Byron 'Whizzer' White Award in 1969. This award recognizes players who serve their communities.
- Being elected to the Helms Athletic Foundation Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.
- Being elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1978.
- Becoming a member of the NAIA Collegiate Hall of Fame.
In 2012, the Professional Football Researchers Association added Meador to their Hall of Very Good.
Death
Ed Meador passed away on September 4, 2023, at the age of 86.
See also
In Spanish: Ed Meador para niños
