Dan Reeves (American football executive)

This article is about the owner of the National Football League's Rams franchise. For the NFL player and coach, see Dan Reeves. For other people, see Dan Reeves (disambiguation).
Dan Reeves
Reeves, c. 1950
Born
Daniel Farrell Reeves

June 30, 1912
New York City, U.S.
DiedApril 15, 1971(1971-04-15) (aged 58)
New York City, U.S.
Resting placeGate of Heaven Cemetery (Hawthorne, New York)
EducationGeorgetown University (no degree)
Occupation(s)businessman and sports entrepreneur
Known forOwner of the NFL's Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams franchise, 1941–1971
SpouseMary V. Corroon Reeves (m.1935–1971, his death)
Children6

Daniel Farrell Reeves (June 30, 1912 – April 15, 1971) was an American sports entrepreneur, best known as the owner of the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He owned the franchise when it was operating in Cleveland, Ohio in 1941, and he would own the team until his death in 1971.[1][2]

Reeves is remembered for his move of the Rams from Cleveland to Los Angeles in 1946, where it became the first American major league sports franchise on the Pacific Coast.[3] He was also the first NFL owner to sign a black player in the post World War II era, inking deals with halfback Kenny Washington and end Woody Strode in 1946, as well as being the first to employ a full-time scouting staff.

Reeves was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.

  1. ^ "Dan Reeves, LA Rams' owner, dies". Press-Courier. Oxnard, California. Associated Press. April 16, 1971. p. 24.
  2. ^ "Services held for Dan Reeves". Wilmington Morning Star. North Carolina. UPI. April 17, 1971. p. 5C.
  3. ^ "Dan Reeves proved Indians were gone". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. South Carolina. Associated Press. April 18, 1971. p. C3.