Herbert Jackson Youngblood III (born January 26, 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida) is a former American football defensive end who played for the Los Angeles Rams. Inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, he was just the third native Floridian to be elected. Son of Herbert J. and Kay Youngblood, he has two sisters, Paula and Lynn. His wife is Barbara and has a son, Robert (who played soccer at University of West Florida). He resides in Orlando, Florida and enjoys sharing his home with the family pets——a 19-year old golden retriever named Jake, and rescued cats Mickey and Scallie.

Youngblood was drafted from the University of Florida by the Rams in the first round (20th pick overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft; he was chosen as an All-Pro five times (1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979) during his 14 years with the team and was All-NFC seven times. In his rookie season, 1971, he was named All-Rookie by Football Digest. He is noted for his unique combination of strength (bench pressed 450 pounds), speed (4.65 in the 40-yard dash), and quickness(1.6 in the 10 yard-dash).

Named by Yahoo!® writer Charles Robinson as the best-ever player taken in the 20th slot of the 1st round of the NFL draft calling Youngblood "the essence of today's defensive end——a mixture of strength, toughness and speed that few ends boasted in the 1970s."

In addition to his 5 All-Pro season and 7 All-NFC seasons, Youngblood was second-team All-Pro in 1973, 1977, and 1980 and was second-team All-NFC in 1973 and 1984 and in addition to his seven pro bowls he was a first alternate in 1984, his final season. Was voted the Rams Outstanding Defensive Linemen by the Ram's Alumni in 1973, 1975-76, 1978-81, and 1983-84.

He is most famous for playing the entire 1979-1980 playoffs (including the 1980 Super Bowl) with a fractured left fibula. He also played in the 1980 Pro Bowl with the injured leg, a week after the Super Bowl. In the playoffs Youngblood sacked Roger Staubach near the sideline in the waning moments of the divisional playoff game versus the Dallas Cowboys. Playing with the cracked leg was noted by Sports Illustrated in their Top 10 list of athletes playing in pain. For that and other achievements Jack was dubbed the "John Wayne of football" by Jim Hanifan and echoed by Hall of Fame coach, John Madden. Hurbert Mizell of the St. Petersburg Times was more terse writing that, "Jack Youngblood of the Rams was something beyond heroic. Bordering on maniacal". In 2004 Sports Illustrated listed Youngblood's playing with the fractured fibula on its Top ten list of athletes playing in pain.

Despite that and numerous other injuries, Youngblood played in 201 consecutive games, a Rams team record; and only missed 1 game in his 14 year NFL career. He played in seven straight Pro Bowls, 5 NFC Championships, and one Super Bowl. He was also the Rams defensive captain from 1977 through 1984 and was voted the Dan Reeves award 3 times, which is awarded to the team's MVP. He had an uncredited 151.5 career sacks and led the Rams in sacks nine times despite playing first in assistant Coach Ray Malavasi's stop-the-run-first defensive scheme and then in his final two seasons in Defensive Coordinator Fritz Shurmer's 3-4 two-gap scheme which limited some pass rush opportunities to make sure the opponent's running game was handled.

In a December, 1975, 35-23 playoff win over the St. Louis Cardinals, Youngblood executed one of the all-time outstanding plays by a Rams defender. He pass-rushed Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf off the line, penetrated, then tipped and intercepted a pass by Jim Hart, returning the interception 47 yards for a touchdown. Later in the game, Jack forced a fumble that was recovered by Fred Dryer, blocked an extra point attempt and sacked Hart to stop a Cardinal drive.

His streak of consecutive games played ended in week 15 of the 1984 season, when Youngblood had to sit out his first football game since being a collegiate player in 1970. He had suffered a ruptured disc in his lower back a week earlier. Despite the injury, he returned for the season finale against the 49ers and the playoffs. He attributed his ability to play to a series of back adjustments that allowed him more freedom of movement, even though team doctors told Jack he was out for the season and needed surgery. He was voted the Rams' recipient of the 1984 Ed Block Courage Award by "representing everything that is positive about professional football and serving as an inspiration in their locker rooms being a positive role model in his communities". The award also has an overcoming injury and/or tragedy aspect.

Youngblood was also honored as the NFC Defensive Player of the Year by United Press International in 1975 and Pro Football Weekly named Youngblood the NFL defensive lineman of the year. He repeated his NFC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1976. Youngblood was also on the 1984 All-Madden team and was chosen by John Madden as the player who most exemplified the All-Madden team.

In 1997 Madden also selected Youngblood to his All-time Super Bowl team. In 2000, Sports Illustrated ranked Youngblood as #4 in its list of the greatest pass rushers of all-time, behind only Deacon Jones, Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor. Named by writer Roy Williams of the Philadelphia Sun as one of the top 5 defensive ends of all time. ----

During his career, Jack won the respect of both teammates and opponents. Dan Dierdorf, a Hall of Fame tackle, said that Youngblood was "by far the toughest opponent I faced in my career", a thought echoed by Viking Hall of Fame tackle Ron Yary. Other NFL greats such as Hall of Fame tackles Bob Brown and Rayfield Wright, rank Jack among the top players they faced..

Opposing quarterbacks also ranked Youngblood highly, with two of them, Fran Tarkenton and Roger Staubach, stating that Jack was the top defensive lineman they faced in their careers. Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen paid Youngblood the highest compliment by stating that Jack was the "perfect defensive end".

Running backs, too entered the chorus, “I remember bouncing off Jack Youngblood and it was just like a pillar of strength over there on the defense,” Rocky Bleier recalled. “Jack played hurt, he played tough, and he was a great opponent.”

Youngblood's style of play and ability to play hurt brought many notations in NFL lore, in 1996 NFL Films named him to their list of the 100 Toughest Players of All-Time and in 2006 NFL writer Neil Reynolds featured Youngblood in his 2006 book "Pain Gang" in which Reynolds names Youngblood as one of the 50 Toughest players of All-Time. In between, Blitz magazine, The Sporting News, Football Digest, and Sport magazine along with others have singled Youngblood out as one of the toughest and/or one of the hardest hitting players of all-time. Is currently featured on New York Jets TV as an All-time tough guy along with players like Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert and others.

To all the praise, the ever humble Youngblood responded, "I don't consider myself tough, I consider myself a nut for some of the things I did". Youngblood concluded, "I wasn’t the biggest guy, I certainly wasn’t the strongest and I wasn’t the fastest either. But I think one of my biggest assets was that I had an undeniable determination to be the best that has ever put his hand on the ground, I had a genuine desire to be great."

When Jack retired in August, 1985, he made this statement at the press conference, "Pride, digity, respect and honor is how I want my career to be remembered". Youngblood repeated the those sentiments in the HOF acceptance speech by stating, "I didn't sack the quarterback every time I rushed the passer. I didn't make every tackle for a loss. I guess——no one could. But, it wasn't because I didn't have the passion to, the desire to. I hope that that showed."

He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001 along with Ron Yary, Lynn Swann, Jackie Slater, Mike Munchak, Marv Levy, and Nick Buoniconti. Later that year He was honored in the St. Louis Rams Ring of Fame, along with Jackie Slater

Was the Rams' NFLPA representative from 1975-78. Served on the NFLPA executive committee from 1975 to 1977. Was voted Orange County, CA, Sportsman of the Year in 1983 and was roasted by former teammates Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Pat Haden, and his coach John Robinson as part of the honor. Member of the Los Angeles Rams 50th Anniversary Team, 1985, and the Ram All-Century Team chosen after the 1999 season.

At the University of Florida Jack earned a B.S. degree in Finance, was a member of ATO (Alpha Tau Omega), and a three-year varsity letterman. In 1970 we was voted All-American , while leading team with 10 sacks. Additionally, he was a finalist for the Outland Trophy following the 1970 campaign and was voted the 1970 SEC Lineman of the year. Was also voted as the state of Florida Outstanding Collegiate football player for 1970. Still regarded as the best defensive lineman in Gator history as well as one of the top five players in The University of Florida's football program.

Time magazine chose him for their 1970 All-America Team and wrote, "Deceptively fast for his size, he reads screens and swing passes so adroitly that he intimidates quarterbacks by his mere presence." His coach Doug Dickey told The Sporting News, "He is difficult to move when you run at him, has the speed an agility to pursue down the line of scrimmige, and the strength and quickness to rush the passer". One experienced Florida writer still agrees stating, "Youngblood has to be viewed as one of the top five Gators ever. A phenomenal pass rusher".

Named to the SEC All-Conference team in 1970, which ended three winning seasons while at Florida. Entered the school at 195 pounds and put on 10 pounds a year through weight-lifting, finishing around 245 pounds. Was the 1970 recipient of the Forrest K. (Fergie) Ferguson Award, which goes the senior who displays outstanding leadership, character, and courage.

His performance in the Florida/Georgia (UGA) rivalry earned him a spot in the Florida-Georgia game Hall of Fame as well. In 1970 Younbglood pulled off one of the greatest plays in Florida history. At the time of the play Florida trailed Georgia, 17-10, and the Georgia offense had driven to Florida's 1-yard line. Youngblood stopped a Georgia running back short of the goal line and forced him to fumble and then recovered the loose ball beginning a rally that gained a come-from-behind 24-17 victory in what is known as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party".

In 1969 Jack was part of a 9-1-1 Gator team that upset the University of Tennessee Volunteers in the Gator Bowl in Ray Graves's final game as coach at Florida. Jack first gained national notice after an October 4, 1969, 5-sack performance 21-6 win versus instate rival Florida State University. Set school record for sacks (14) in 1969 and finished his Gator career with 29 quarterback sacks.

As a sophomore in 1968, Youngblood played defensive end and defensive tackle while also handling the kicking chores for the Gators, kicking a career-long 42-yard field goal to provide the three point winning margin in his first collegiate game which was against the Air Force Academy. ---- After his college career Youngblood played in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, and recorded 4 sacks . He was named the Outstanding Lineman of the Game and in 1989 was voted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame. Other notable members of the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame include Joe Greene, Joe Namath, Michael Strahan, Franco Harris. Youngblood also played the College All-Star game in Chicago the following summer before reporting to the Rams in Canton, Ohio, for the Hall of Fame game. Additionally he was voted a member of the 50th Anniversary Senior Bowl All-Time Team in 1999.

For his achievements he was selected to the All-Time SEC team in 1983. He was also voted to the All-SEC Quarter-Century Team (1950-74) as well as being voted to the 25-year All-SEC teams which spanned from the 1961 through the 1985 seasons. He was also voted best Defensive end in SEC for the years 1960-85. Additionally, he was voted to the SEC All-Decade team for the 1970s.

Named to the All-Time Florida Gator teams both in 1983 and in 1999 as well as the 100-year Anniversary Gator Team in 2006. Youngblood is regarded as best defensive end in Gator history despite producing NFL stars like Trace Armstrong, Kevin Carter, Jevon Kearse, and Alex Brown.

Jack received college football's highest honor by being elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992 along with collegiate greats Earl Banks, Ron Johnson, Jim Lynch, Lou Michaels, Larry Morris, Craig Morton, Bob Odell, Lloyd Phillips, John Ralston, Howard Twilley, Jim Weatherall, Art Weiner.

In 1995 Jack was voted one of the SEC Football Legends and was presented at the SEC championship game in Atlanta along with Harry Gilmer, Alabama; Joe Ferguson, Arkansas; Tucker Frederickson, Auburn; Fran Tarkenton, Georgia; Derrick Ramsey, Kentucky; Dalton Hilliard, LSU; Barney Poole, Ole Miss; Jimmy Webb, Miss. State; Alex Hawkins, South Carolina; Doug Atkins, Tennessee; and Bob Asher, Vanderbilt.

Youngblood received one of the 1996 NCAA Silver Anniversary Awards, along with Marty Liquori, Thomas Lewis Lyons, Cliff Meely, Kurt L. Schmoke and Joe Theismann, for distinguishing himself as a former NCAA student-athlete.

In the Fall of 1999, Jack was named to the Sports Illustrated NCAA Football All-Century Team as one of only six defensive ends named to the squad. The others: Michigan State's Bubba Smith, Pitt's Hugh Green, Golden Domers Leon Hart and Ross Browner, and Florida State's Peter Boulware.

In 1996 Jack was voted to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame which features all great althetes who played college of professional athletics and have a Florida connection. Fellow Ram defensive end Deacon Jones (from near Orlando) was voted in a decade earlier. Youngblood's election to the University of Florida Hall of Fame follow five years later, in 2001.

On September 30, 2006, Youngblood was among the first four Gator legends to be inducted into the Florida Football Ring of Honor, alongside Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, and Emmitt Smith.

Named by one SEC publication as the Top All-Time SEC Defensive of All-Time. Also named by the Birmingham News as one of the Top 10 defensive lineman in SEC history,, ranking with SEC greats as Reggie White, Doug Atkins, and Bill Stanfill. In addition is one of the three finalists in the fan voting as the top defensive lineman in history of the Southeastern Conference (along with Stanfill, and Eric Curry of Alabama), voting will conclude at the end of November, 2007.

Youngblood attended Monticello-Jefferson County High School, Monticello, FL, graduating in 1967. As an offensive lineman and linebacker, Jack was 6'-4", 195 pound two-way starter and team captain of the Brent Hall coached 10-1-1 state champion M-JC Tigers, earning All-State honors in 1966. He was also All-Big Bend, All-Conference and the Big Bend Linemen of the Year and the Outstanding Lineman for the Tigers that season while leading a defense that shut-out seven opponents and allowed only ten touchdowns in 12 games, including the state playoffs.

Youngblood also played basketball at M-JC High as well as participating in 4-H, Student Council and Key Club International, while also being a four-year letterman in football. Was named to the State of Florida's All-Time High school football team by Sports Illustrated in 1989. In November, 2007, was voted to the Flordia State Athletic Association's All-Century High School football squad.

Partnered with L.A. Rams teammate Larry Brooks to open "The Wild Bunch" in 1980, a western clothing store that featured high-end western wear, including cowboy boots, cowboy hats, silver belt buckles, jeans, and all else country.

Jack Youngblood appeared in two TV movies: C.A.T. Squad in 1986 and C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf in 1988. Youngblood played a Secret Service agent in the "Counter Assault Technical Squad" named John Sommers who was the "best weapons and munitions man in the business" and who was a fine secret service agent but hated big cities like Washington and New York and thus was banished to Alaska. In the plot line of the movies "John Sommers" also was a member of the Air Force Reserve who piloted SR-71 spyplane. Youngblood was nominated for an Emmy award for best supporting actor for his work in Python Wolf. In these films Youngblood starred along with Joe Cortese , Steve James , and Deborah Van Valkenburgh. Both movies were directed by William Friedkin who is most noted for directing The Exorcist, The French Connection, and the Boys in the Band.

Youngblood, in 1987, was voted to the Orange County (California) Sports Hall of Fame along with Pat McCormick, Ann Meyers and Cap Sheue.

In 1988 Jack authored (with Joel Engle) his autobiography entitled, "Blood". The book outlined Youngblood's drive and passion for professional football and reviewed his career, his injuries, his successes and failures on the football field. It was favorably reviewed by Publishers Weekly as "an unusual sports book". The Orange County Register's John Hall wrote about the work, "a bloody good book. Hardly just another jock diary".

After his retirement, Youngblood worked in Player relations and Marketing for the Los Angeles Rams from 1985-91 and served as the Rams' color analyst for the Rams Radio Network from 1987-91. In 1985-86 he also was a reporter and co-host for ESPN's Game Day show, alongside Chris Berman. Was succeeded by current co-host, Tom Jackson in 1987. In 1988 he auditioned for CBS's NFL Today along with Dick Butkus, Lyle Alzado, and Gary Fencik, with Butkus being hired to fill the co-host slot.

Youngblood moved to the World League of American Football as the Director of Marketing for the Sacramento Surge in 1992. In his season with the Surge won the World Bowl in 1992, the only American team to do so. He moved to the Sacramento Gold Miners of the Canadian Football League in 1993. During his tenure at the Gold Miners, the club became the first U.S. team to play in the CFL as well the first to play, win, and host a CFL team, while setting a CFL record for most wins by an expansion CFL team (since broken). He also served as a color analyst for the both the Surge and the Gold Miners radio networks and hosted a sports radio talk show from in Sacramento.

In 1995 he returned to his native Florida as Vice-President and General Manager, then later as President, of the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League leaving in 1998. While president of the Predators he served as an alternate on the AFL’s Board of Directors. He was a member of the league's expansion and relocation committee and the drug awareness committee. One of his major projects with the Predators was taking the AFL team public. It is now traded under symbol PRED on the NASDAQ exchange. In 1998 the club won its first Arena League championship in 1998 beating the favored Tampa Bay Storm. In 1999 he began to work for the Arena league office as a liaison to the National Football League and served as a Special Consultant to the Arena Football League and arenafootball2.

In 1999 Sports Illustrated named Jack to its list of the 50 Greatest Sports Figures in the state of Florida's history.
---- Among the numerous charitable activities Youngblood was involved in were the 1974 NFL-USO tour to Viet-Nam and Southeast Asia. In 1977 he was the United Way spokesman for the Rams and was the club's Man of the Year nominee in 1975 and 1983. In April, 2007, Youngblood was inducted into the NFL Alumni Association’s prestigious Order of the Leather Helmet, which is the highest award for the NFL Alumni given to those "who make a lasting impression on the game". Jack has also been an Ambassador for Child Help USA, an organization benefiting abused children.

In his final 13 years in (1979-91) Los Angeles he sponsored a celebrity golf tournament for the John Tracy Clinic for Deaf Children and was active with programs at the Children's Hospital for Orange County. He was named the Orange County "Sportsman of the Year" by the Children's Hospital of Orange County in 1987. The award is presented annually to an accomplished athlete for his or her work for CHOC and the community.

Orange County Youth Sports Foundation celebrated the accomplishments of Youngblood in 1983 with the focus of the award being to recognize Jack's accomplishments and sportsmanship over his career that "served as an example for us and our children". Others who have been honored at an annual dinner have been Peter Uberroth, Edwin Moses, Jerry West, Carson Palmer, Bill Walsh, Matt Leinart among many others.

Other sponsorships and advertising ventures were a Miller Lite TV commercial in 1985 and Honda Power machines in 1985. He also had print ads for Pro Tron Weights, regional ad, 1984, Dan Post Handcrafted Boots, national print ad 1986, Cal-Gym, national print ad, 1986, and was a national spokesman for Protastonin in 2001. In the mid-1980s he also modeled Munsingwear briefs in a series of magazine and billboard ads. In the mid-1970s Jack did television commericals and print ads for In-N-Out Burger, a California-based fast food chain.

In the 1980s, in the first decade of ESPN, Youngblood was a regular guest on Star-Shot (1988), Sportslook (1984, 86, 88) and Great Outdoors (1989) programs. In 2000 Youngblood was hired as the co-host for Wall-Mart's Great Outdoors (with Bert Jones) and served in that capacity through 2003.

Since 2001 Jack has been the St. Louis Rams host for the Taste of the NFL charity event , a dinner held annually at the Super Bowl to raise funds for America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Foodbank Network.

Currently, Jack Youngblood is a Division President of Dave Liles Ethanol Fuels which produces a fuel additive that purports to boost octane, clean fuel systems, and help the environment by reducing engine emissions and being completely biodegradable.

Throughout his NFL career and after Jack has been a skilled public speaker being sought after by corporate, athletic, and Christian groups due to his activity and success in those arenas. He also attends hunting, fishing and golf outings when associated with a good cause. He also is active in the Orlando chapter of Young Life, a nationwide organization whose goals include attempting to mentor young men and women in the Christian faith . Jack's wife, Barbara Youngblood, serves on the Executive Committee for Young Life for the Orlando Chapter.

Youngblood serves on the Honorary Advisory Board of the St. Louis Rams along with notables like Bill Cosby, August A. Busch III, Jonathan Winters, Dick Gephardt, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Stan Musial, Maxine Waters, Dr. Toby Freedman, et al. Former members of the Rams Advisory Board, created in 1981, include, Lord David Westbury, former Ram and Evangelist Rosey Grier, Maureen Reagan, Henry Mancini, Bob Hope, Danny Thomas, Jane Upton Bell, former President Gerald Ford among others.

Prior to every season Youngblood is one of the University of Florida legends current Gator coach Urban Meyer calls in to create what he calls "The Gator Experience" to affirm traditions and to motivate his current UF teams.

Honored as a "Sack Master" by the Deacon Jones Foundation in November, 2007. He will be honored with the late Reggie White, Deacon Jones, and Kevin Greene. Says Hall of Famer Deacon Jones, "I'm very proud to take the lead in finally paying homage to these angry men". "Don't get me wrong about the "angry men" thing," Jones adds. "These are all good guys, but you've got to be angry when you go out on the field and do what we do. And, it's about time they were recognized for it."

*In the late-1960s tested (or was tested on) a thick, syrup-like drink called Gatorade, a beverage created by Doctors Robert Cade and Dana Shires, designed to help Gator athletes who had to practice and play in Central Florida heat.

*In 1986 He participated the Hands Across America, an event to end hunger in the United States. Other NFL stars including Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett were also in the hand-holding line.

*In 2005 participated in the NFLPA's Fantasy Football game where fans could compete in fantasy football against not only Youngblood but Ron Jaworski, Moose Johnston, Fran Tarkenton, Thurman Thomas, and Ed McCaffrey.

*A game-used Jack Youngblood jersey sold for $6565 in a July, 2006, online auction.

*Was listed by Fox News' Mike Straka as having one of the NFL's "Great names".

*In 2007 Sports Illustrated named Youngblood the greatest professional athlete to wear the uniform number 85. Youngblood was also given the same honor in the 2004 book Right on the Numbers by Nino Frostino, and the Best Athletes by the Number blog.

*One of Jack biggest fans, David G. Lewber, passed away on June 28, 2007. Mr. Lewber was buried in his autographed Jack Youngblood jersey a week later on July 3, 2007.

<gallery> Image:Bloodbookcover.jpg|Cover of Blood by Jack Youngblood, 1988. Image:CATSquadStalkingDanger.jpg|DVD cover for C.A.T. Squad, 1988. Image:Jackyoungbloodthroback.jpg|Throwback Bowl, 1997. Image: Jack4d-1.jpg|At Hall of Fame Gold Jacket Dinner, 2001. </gallery>

*Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile *College Football Hall of Fame: Member profile * Photos of Jack Youngblood * Q&A with Jack Youngblood * Quotes by Jack Youngblood ----