Len Rohde

Leonard Emil Rohde ( ; April 16, 1938 – May 13, 2017) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle for 15 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He helped the 49ers win the NFC West Division from 1970 to 1972 and he was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1970 season. Rohde played college football for the Utah State Aggies.

Remembered as one of the most durable players in team history, Rohde played in 208 consecutive games over the course of a 15 year NFL career.

Early life

Len Rohde was born April 16, 1938, in Palatine, Illinois, the son of Emil Rohde, a farmer. He attended Palatine High School, where he played football, basketball, wrestled in the heavyweight division, and participated in the power disciplines of shot put and discus on the school's track and field team.

Rohde was successful in these various high school athletic pursuits, winning the Illinois state high school wrestling championship and setting a new Northwest conference record as a shot putter (12#, 50'0"), in helping to lead the Pirates to a 9th consecutive title as a senior in 1955-56.

College career Sophomore Len Rohde gained a reputation as a "60-minute Man" for Utah State. Rohde attended Utah State University. After spending the 1956 season on the freshman team, Rohde was made a member of the varsity in 1957, where the 6'3", 220-pounder immediately challenged for and won a starting spot at right tackle, beating out a junior letterman for the role.

As the NCAA had reinstituted the single platoon system effective with the 1953 season, Rohde played in both an offensive and defensive capacity for the Aggies. Indeed, his agility, strength, and conditioning was such that he frequently played the entire duration of the game without substitution — gaining recognition as a "60-Minute Man".

Despite Utah State's lack of success on the field, Rohde's play even as a sophomore began to attract regional attention for potential All-America consideration.

Rohde continued to be a multi-sport athlete at Utah state, playing football in the fall, wrestling in the winter months, and throwing shot put in the spring.

He continued his education while playing professional football, earning a Masters degree from San Diego State University in 1969.

Professional career

Rohde was selected in the fifth round of the 1960 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, who made him the 59th player taken.

He spent the first three years of his NFL career primarily in a reserve role, backing up Hall of Fame offensive right tackle Bob St. Clair. He saw action in all 40 games played by the Niners during these three seasons, posting 11 spot appearances as a starter.

He was moved to a starting role on the other side in 1963

Rohde's 208 career games played stands as the most ever by a 49ers lineman.