Dick Bass

Richard Lee Bass (March 15, 1937 – February 1, 2006) was an American professional football player who was a fullback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) from 1960 to 1969. He played college football for the Pacific Tigers.

Early life and education Born in Georgetown, Mississippi, in 1937, Bass moved as a youth with his family in the Great Migration to California, where they settled in Vallejo. He had a brother, professional athlete Norm Bass and a sister, Dorothy.

Bass went on to star at College of the Pacific (now University of the Pacific). Time magazine described him as a "One-Man Show" in 1958, after he ran for 700 yards in six games to become the season's leading NCAA ground gainer, while passing for the Tigers as well. He was a 1958 All-American. As a senior in 1958, Bass led the nation in rushing with 1,361 yards, including a dazzling display in the season opener in Berkeley, where he gained 215 yards and scored one touchdown in the Tigers' win over a Cal team that would reach the 1959 Rose Bowl. Bass was named to The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.

Professional career After being taken by the Rams as the second pick in the 1959 NFL draft, Bass was selected for the Pro Bowl three times, in 1962, 1963, and 1966. He rushed for 1,000 yards in a season two times (1962 and 1966). He finished his career with the Rams in 1969 with 5,417 yards rushing, the most among active players.

Kody Scott, alias Sanyika Shakur, a Los Angeles gang member known as "Monster" reported in his 1998 autobiography that his mother had identified Bass as his father.

NFL career statistics Legend Led the league Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1960 RAM 12 4 31 153 4.9 33 0 13 92 7.1 26 0 1961 RAM 14 9 98 608 6.2 73 4 16 145 9.1 37 0 1962 RAM 14 13 196 1,033 5.3 57 6 30 262 8.7 33 2 1963 RAM 12 10 143 520 3.6 51 5 30 348 11.6 53 0 1964 RAM 9 7 72 342 4.8 59 2 9 83 9.2 24 0 1965 RAM 12 8 121 549 4.5 49 2 21 230 11.0 36 2 1966 RAM 14 14 248 1,090 4.4 50 8 31 274 8.8 40 0 1967 RAM 14 14 187 627 3.4 27 6 27 212 7.9 30 1 1968 RAM 10 10 121 494 4.1 20 1 27 195 7.2 28 2 1969 RAM 1 0 1 1 1.0 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 112 89 1,218 5,417 4.4 73 34 204 1,841 9.0 53 7

Playoffs Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1967 RAM 1 1 14 40 2.9 15 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 14 40 2.9 15 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

Legacy and honors 1983 – Inducted as a Charter Member of the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame. 2005 – Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. No. 22 retired by Pacific Tigers.