Top All-Time SEC Defensive Football Player

Herbert Jackson Youngblood III—or "Jack", as he would become known, was born in Jacksonville, Florida on January 26, 1950. He graduated from Monticello-Jefferson County High School in Monticello, Florida where he played linebacker and offensive line on their football team. Youngblood made the All-State team in 1966 and was a starting offensive and defensive player as well as team captain of the Monticello-Jefferson County Tigers.

Before Jack was even out of high school, he’d already been named All-Conference; Big Bend Lineman of the Year; and Outstanding Lineman for his high school team. He was also on the school’s basketball team, served in Student Government and was a member of the 4H club. In 1989, Sports Illustrated named Jack Younblood a member of Florida’s All-Time High School Football Team.

Following high school, Jack went on to play football for the University of Florida. He was voted All-American in 1970 and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy the same year. Adding to his mounting achievements -- in 1970, Youngblood was named Southeastern Conference (SEC) Lineman of the Year; Time Magazine’s All-American Team; and the SEC All-Conference Team. He ultimately was selected a member of both College Football and Pro Football’s Hall of Fame.

Jack is credited with making one of the greatest plays in the history of Gator football in the 1970 Florida – Georgia game (one of the biggest sec rivalry games each year).

Late in the game, with Florida trailing 17-10, Youngblood stopped a Georgia running back just short of the goal line; forced a fumble; and recovered the ball! That signature play allowed the Gators to turn the game around and ultimately pull out a 24-17 win.

Youngblood’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed by professional football scouts. In 1971, after graduating from The University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Youngblood was drafted by the LA Rams in the first round. In the next 14 years, he was chosen All-Pro five times and All-NFC seven times.

Youngblood’s most notable claim-to-fame was his amazing capacity to play in pain. Time after time, he continued playing regardless of physical injuries. He played the entire 1979-80 playoffs with a fractured fibula. This included playing in the 1980 Super Bowl. Apparently that was not enough pain for him, as he then went on to play in the Pro Bowl after the Super Bowl.

In Youngblood’s 14-year career with the Las Angeles Rams he missed only one game. He received the Dan Reeves MVP Award from the team three times. He is credited with the most consecutive games played (201); a member of the NFL 1970’s All-Decade Team; a member of the St. Louis Rams Ring of Fire; and the University of Florida Football Ring of Honor. After playing for the L.A./ Saint Louis Rams until 1984, his Jersey #85 was retired.

Since 1985, Jack Youngblood has appeared in a handful of movies; owned a clothing store with former LA teammate Larry Brooks; and, wrote an autobiography. Even today his is honored for his achievements on and off the field.

Finally, and perhaps most significant of all (ha, ha) – www.secsportsfan.com named only one defensive player in its list of Best All-Time SEC Football Players. That one defensive superstar was, of course, Jack Youngblood.

Obviously, we also name him the Top All-Time SEC Defensive Football Player.

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