View source for Bob Waterfield

{{Short description|American football player and coach (1920–1983)}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name           = Bob Waterfield
| image          = Bob Waterfield 1947.jpg
| image_size     =
| alt            = 
| caption        = Waterfield {{circa}} 1947
| number         = 7
| position       = [[Quarterback]] <br> [[Safety (gridiron football position)|Safety]] <br> [[Placekicker|Kicker]] <br> [[Punter (gridiron football)|Punter]]
| birth_date     = {{Birth date|1920|7|26}}
| birth_place    = [[Elmira, New York]], U.S.
| death_date     = {{Death date and age|1983|3|25|1920|7|26}}
| death_place    = [[Burbank, California]], U.S.<ref name=watdie/>
| height_ft      = 6
| height_in      = 1
| weight_lb      = 200
| high_school    = [[Van Nuys High School|Van Nuys]] <br> ([[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]])
| college        = [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA]] (1941–1942, 1944)
| draftyear      = 1944
| draftround     = 5
| draftpick      = 42
| pastteams      =
* [[Cleveland Rams|Cleveland]] / [[Los Angeles Rams]] ({{NFL Year|1945|1952}})
| pastcoaching   =
* Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|1954|1955}}) <br> Kickers coach
* Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|1958}}) <br> Quarterbacks coach
* Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|1960|1962}}) <br> Head coach
| highlights     =
* 2× [[List of NFL champions (1920–1969)|NFL champion]] ([[1945 NFL Championship Game|1945]], [[1951 NFL Championship Game|1951]])
* [[Joe F. Carr Trophy|NFL Most Valuable Player]] (1945)
* 3× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1945 All-Pro Team|1945]], [[1946 All-Pro Team|1946]], [[1949 All-Pro Team|1949]])
* 2× Second-team All-Pro ([[1950 All-Pro Team|1950]], [[1951 All-Pro Team|1951]])
* 2× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1951 Pro Bowl|1950]], [[1952 Pro Bowl|1951]])
* 2× [[List of National Football League annual passing touchdowns leaders|NFL passing touchdowns leader]] (1945, 1946)
* [[List of National Football League annual pass completion percentage leaders|NFL completion percentage leader]] (1946)
* [[NFL 1940s All-Decade Team]]
* [[Los Angeles Rams awards#St. Louis Football Ring of Fame|St. Louis Football Ring of Fame]]
* [[Los Angeles Rams#Retired numbers|Los Angeles Rams No. 7]] retired
* First-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference football teams|All-PCC]] ([[1942 All-Pacific Coast football team|1942]])
* Second-team All-PCC ([[1944 All-Pacific Coast football team|1944]])
| statlabel1     = [[Touchdown|TD]]–[[Interception|INT]]
| statvalue1     = 97–128
| statlabel2     = Passing yards
| statvalue2     = 11,849
| statlabel3     = [[Passer rating]]
| statvalue3     = 61.6
| statlabel4     = Completion percentage
| statvalue4     = 50.3%
| statlabel5     = Interceptions made
| statvalue5     = 20
| statlabel6     = Field goals made
| statvalue6     = 60
| statlabel7     = Punting yards
| statvalue7     = 13,364
| statlabel8     = Points scored
| statvalue8     = 573
| overall_record = {{Winning percentage|9|24|1|record=y}}
| pfr            = W/WateBo01
| pfrcoach       = WateBo0
| HOF            = bob-waterfield 
}}

'''Robert Stanton Waterfield''' (July 26, 1920 – March 25, 1983) was an American professional [[American football|football]] player and coach. A skilled player, he played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for eight seasons, primarily as a [[quarterback]], but also as a [[Safety (gridiron football position)|safety]], [[Placekicker|kicker]], [[Punter (gridiron football)|punter]] and sometimes [[return specialist]] with the [[Cleveland Rams|Cleveland]] / [[Los Angeles Rams]]. He played [[college football]] for the [[UCLA Bruins football|UCLA Bruins]]. He was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1965. His No. 7 jersey was retired by the Rams in 1952. He was also a motion picture actor and producer.

Born in [[Elmira, New York]], Waterfield moved to [[Los Angeles]] as an infant. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins in 1941, 1942, and 1944. In 1942, he led UCLA to a [[Pacific Coast Conference]] championship and its first [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose Bowl]] and was selected as the quarterback on the [[1942 All-Pacific Coast football team|All-Pacific Coast team]].

From 1945 to 1952, he played quarterback for the Cleveland Rams in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He led the Rams to NFL championships in 1945 and 1951 and was selected as the [[National Football League Most Valuable Player Award|NFL's most valuable player]] in 1945. He was the first-team All-Pro quarterback in 1945, 1946, and 1949. Known as one of the best passers, punters, and kickers in the NFL, he set NFL career place-kicking records with 315 [[conversion (gridiron football)|extra points]] and 60 field goals, as well as a single-season record with 54 extra points in 1950, and a single-game record with five field goals in a game.

Waterfield was married to movie actress [[Jane Russell]] from 1943 to 1968. During the 1950s, Waterfield also worked in the motion picture business, initially as an actor and later as a producer. He remained involved in football as an assistant coach during the 1950s and served as the head coach of the Rams from 1960 to 1962.

==Early years==
Waterfield was born in [[Elmira, New York]], in 1920,<ref name="PFR">{{Cite web |title=Bob Waterfield Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WateBo01.htm |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |language=en}}</ref> the son of Staton "Jack" Waterfield (1891–1930) and Frances (Gallagher) Waterfield (1895–1963).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Al Mallette |date=July 7, 1976 |title=Where have you gone, Bob Waterfield? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10450521/where_have_you_gone_bob_waterfield/ |work=Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY) |page=19 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In approximately 1921, his family moved to [[Los Angeles]] and settled in [[Van Nuys, Los Angeles|Van Nuys]] in the [[San Fernando Valley]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Al Mallette |date=August 8, 1976 |title=Bob Waterfield is found – a happy groom in California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10450332/bob_waterfield_is_found_a_happy/ |work=Sunday Telegram (Elmira, New York) |page=3D |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Al Mallette |date=October 27, 1968 |title=Another in Hall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10450383/another_in_hal_bob_waterfield/ |work=Sunday Telegram |page=2D |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1930, when Waterfield was nine years old, his father, who had become the owner and manager of Van Nuys Transfer and Storage Company, died.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 18, 1930 |title=Sudden Attack Ends Young Man's Life: Jack Waterfiled Dies at Doctor's Office |url=https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&amp;GRid=25713848&amp;ref=acom |work=The Van Nuys News |page=1}}</ref> Waterfield attended [[Van Nuys High School]] where he was a star football player.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2011 |title=Bob Waterfield: Van Nuys High School Football Hero |url=http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/2011/02/bob-waterfield-van-nuys-high-school.html |access-date=April 22, 2017 |publisher=The Museum of the San Fernando Valley}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dana Haddad |date=June 18, 1997 |title=Rams Quarterback a Man of Few Words |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-18-me-4543-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

==UCLA and military service==
[[File:Bob Waterfield 1943.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Waterfield in 1942, from the 1943 UCLA yearbook]]
Waterfield enrolled at the [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA) where he played [[college football]] for [[UCLA Bruins football]] in 1941, 1942, and 1944.  During the 1942 regular season, he led the [[Pacific Coast Conference]] in passing, completing 53 of 125 passes for 1,033 yards and 12 touchdowns.<ref name="UAA">{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1943 |title=Bob Waterfield is Uclan's Aerial Ace |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10462221/bob_waterfield_is_uclans_aerial_ace/ |work=Wilmington (DE) Morning News |page=13 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He also averaged 40 yards on 60 punts and broke the UCLA school record by appearing in 557 of 600 minutes in UCLA's 10 games.<ref name=UAA/> He led the [[1942 UCLA Bruins football team|1942 Bruins]] to the Pacific Coast Conference football championship and was selected as the first-team quarterback on the [[1942 All-Pacific Coast football team]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 10, 1942 |title=Two OSC Gridders Put on Third AP Selection |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/96816462/ |work=Corvalis Gazette-Times |page=7 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 2, 1942 |title=Tom Roblin of Oregon Only One From State Chosen On All-Coast |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/97345102/ |work=Medford Mail Tribune |page=2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In the [[1943 Rose Bowl]], the Bruins lost to [[1942 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]]; the game was scoreless into the fourth quarter when Waterfield's punt was blocked for a safety.  Georgia added a touchdown to post a 9–0 win.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Braven Dyer |date=January 2, 1943 |title=Georgia Team Called Great In Action Packed Win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10461546/georgia_team_called_great_in_action/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=II-10, II-12 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In April 1943, Waterfield was married to [[Jane Russell]].<ref name=JRW/> Two weeks later, he was inducted into the [[United States Army]] and sent to [[Fort Benning]] for officer candidate school.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 1943 |title=Bob Waterfield To Be Officer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10462695/bob_waterfield_to_be_officer/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |page=8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He was commissioned as a lieutenant and played quarterback for the [[1943 176th Infantry Spirits football team]] at Fort Benning.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Al Wolf |date=September 10, 1943 |title=Sportraits |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10462905/sportraits_by_al_wolf_bob_waterfield/ |work=The Los Angeles Times |page=28 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 1, 1943 |title=Fort Benning Meets Carolina |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10463013/fort_benning_meets_carolina/ |work=The Greenville (SC) News |page=21 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1943 |title=Waterfield Stars, Infantry Wins, 48–7 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10463095/waterfield_stars_infantry_wins_487/ |work=The Des Moines Register |page=19 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In June 1944, Waterfield was honorably discharged from the Army due to a knee injury.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1944 |title=Bob Waterfield Back at U.C.L.A. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10463342/bob_waterfield_back_at_ucla/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=27 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He returned to college, played for the [[1944 UCLA Bruins football team|1944 UCLA football team]], and was selected by the [[Associated Press]] as a second-team back on the [[1944 All-Pacific Coast football team]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 1944 |title=Trojans Place Five on A.P. Coast Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10464908/trojans_place_five_on_ap_coast_team/ |page=19 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="compkg">Robert Fernas, [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-25-sp-47304-story.html "Complete Package: Van Nuys' Bob Waterfield was a Quarterback, Defensive Back, Punter and Kicker during Hall of Fame Career,"] ''Los Angeles Times,'' December 25, 1999.</ref>

In the [[East–West Shrine Game]] played on January 1, 1945, Waterfield led the West team with his passing and kicking to a come-from-behind victory. Hailed as a triple-threat star, he had punts of 87, 75, and 59 yards in the game. He caught the winning touchdown pass with three minutes remaining in the game.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 2, 1945 |title=Waterfield Is Star In West's Win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10477306/waterfield_is_star_in_wests_win/ |work=The Evening Independent |page=8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> At the end of his college career, Al Wolf of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called him "one of the finest kickers and passers in Coast history."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Al Wolf |date=April 15, 1945 |title=Sportraits |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10477448/sportraits_by_al_wolf_bullet_bob/ |work=The Los Angeles Times |page=21 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams==
Waterfield was drafted by the [[Cleveland Rams]] in the fifth round (42nd overall pick) of the [[1944 NFL draft]].<ref name=PFR/> He signed with the Rams in June 1945.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Braven Dyer |date=June 16, 1945 |title=Waterfield Signs with Rams Pro Grids |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10477562/waterfield_signs_with_ram_pro_grids/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=6 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

===1945 season===
As a rookie, Waterfield won the starting quarterback job and led the [[1945 Cleveland Rams season|1945 Rams team]] to the NFL championship with a 9–1 record. Waterfield led the NFL with 1,627 yards of [[total offense]], 14 touchdown passes and an average of 9.4 yards per attempt. He also led the league with 17 interceptions. As a defensive back, he intercepted 6 passes.<ref name=PFR/>

On Thanksgiving Day 1945, Waterfield completed 12 of 21 passes for a season-high 329 yards in a 28–21 victory over the [[Detroit Lions]]. [[Jim Benton (American football)|Jim Benton]] caught 10 of Waterfield's passes for an NFL record of 303 receiving yards in a single game.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 23, 1945 |title=Waterfield Passes Lions Out of Picture |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10478036/waterfield_sparkles_as_rams_win_again/ |work=Detroit Free Press |page=22 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

On December 16, 1945, in the [[1945 NFL Championship Game]], Waterfield led the Rams to a 15–14 victory over [[Sammy Baugh]]'s [[1945 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] in below zero weather in Cleveland. One sports writer opined that Waterfield "literally" beat the Redskins "singlehanded."<ref name=LAT45/> Waterfield was responsible for both Cleveland touchdowns on passes of 37 and 44 yards, and his punts kept the Redskins pinned deep in their territory. Rams owner Dan Reeves announced that, before the game, Waterfield had signed a three-year contract for $20,000 per year, which made him the highest-paid player in pro football.<ref name="LAT45">{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1945 |title=Waterfield Hero As Cleveland Wins, 15–14 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10484038/waterfield_hero_as_cleveland_wins_1514/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=20 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

After the season, Waterfield received the [[Joe F. Carr Trophy]] as the NFL's Most Valuable Player, outpacing [[Steve Van Buren]] by a tally of 65 points to 38.<ref name="GB46">{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1946 |title=Bob Waterfield Given Most Valuable Palm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10479878/bob_waterfield_given_most_valuable_palm/ |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |page=9 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In this balloting Waterfield became the first unanimous choice for the NFL's MVP honor.<ref name="1962Guide">''Los Angeles Rams 1962 Media Guide,'' p. 8.</ref> He was also a consensus pick as the first-team quarterback on the [[1945 All-Pro Team]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1945 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1945/allpro.htm |access-date=April 22, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference}}</ref>

===1946 season===
[[File:Bob Waterfield headshot 1946.jpg|thumb|210px|Waterfield, circa 1946]]
In January 1946, less than a month after winning Cleveland's first NFL championship, the Rams announced that they would move to [[Los Angeles]] for the [[1946 NFL season]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 13, 1946 |title=Los Angeles Gets Rams' Pro Grid Franchise |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10480275/los_angeles_gets_rams_pro_grid/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=38 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In their first season in Los Angeles, the Rams compiled a 6–4–1 record and finished in second place in the NFL's Western Division. Waterfield firmly established himself as one of the NFL's multi-talented players. As a passer, he led the NFL in pass attempts (251), completions (127), and passing touchdowns (17) and ranked second with 1,747 passing yards and a 67.6 [[passer rating]].<ref name=LL46/> He was also the league's second leading scorer (61 points).  He led the NFL with 37 extra points out of 37 attempts and field goal percentage (66.7%) and finished third in the league with an average of 44.7 yards per punt.<ref name="LL46">{{Cite web |title=1946 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1946/leaders.htm |access-date=April 22, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference}}</ref> At the end of the season, he was selected by both the [[Associated Press]] (AP) and the [[United Press]] (UP) as the first-team quarterback on the [[1946 All-Pro Team]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1946 All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1946/allpro.htm |access-date=April 22, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference}}</ref>

===1947 and 1948 seasons===
In 1947, the Rams dropped to fourth place in the NFL's West Division, and Waterfield did not rank among the league's leaders in any passing category except interceptions.  He did, however, lead the NFL with seven field goals and had an 86-yard punt that was the longest in the NFL during the 1947 season.<ref name=PFR/>  In 1948, the Rams finished in third place in the West. Waterfield ranked among the NFL leaders with 15.6 yards per pass completion (first), 14 passing touchdowns (fourth), and 18 interceptions (third), and for the second year had the longest punt in the league, this one measuring 88 yards.<ref name=PFR/> On October 4, 1948, Waterfield led the Rams to a 28–28 tie with the NFL champion-to-be [[1948 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]; the Rams trailed, 28–0, in the third quarter, but Waterfield completed 17 of 35 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns to lead the comeback.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1948 |title=Waterfield's Passes Give Rams 28–28 Tie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10481520/waterfields_passes_give_rams_2828_tie/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=45 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In his first four NFL seasons, Waterfield also played defense and intercepted 20 passes.<ref name=PFR/>

===1949 season===
Waterfield and Rams returned to the NFL's elite during the 1949 season.  The Rams won the NFL's Western Division championship with an 8–2–2 record and lost to the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] in the [[1949 NFL Championship Game]].  In 12 regular season games, Waterfield compiled career highs and ranked among the NFL leaders with 154 completed passes (third), 296 pass attempts (fourth), 2,168 passing yards (second), and 24 interceptions (first).<ref name=PFR/>  For the third time in his career, he was selected as the quarterback on the [[1948 All-Pro Team]], receiving first-team honors from the AP and UP.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1949 All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1949/allpro.htm |access-date=April 22, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference}}</ref>

===1950 season===
In 1950, [[Norm Van Brocklin]] was drafted in the fourth round by the Rams. He and Waterfield each started six games that season. Waterfield's 57.3% completion percentage was the best in the NFL for the 1950 season.<ref name=PFR/> The [[1950 Los Angeles Rams season|1950 Rams]] compiled a 9–3 record, won the National Conference championship, defeated the [[Chicago Bears]] in a divisional playoff game, and lost to the [[Cleveland Browns]] in the [[1950 NFL Championship Game]]. In the playoff game against the Bears, Waterfield came off the bench suffering from the flu and completed 14 of 21 passes for 280 yards, including touchdown passes of 68, 28, and 22 yards to [[Tom Fears]]; Waterfield also kicked a 43-yard field goal and three extra points in the game. After the game, [[George Halas]] called the Rams "the finest passing team I've ever played against."<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1950 |title=Rams Defeat Bears, 24–14, Before 83,501: Rams Capture Divisional Title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10482603/rams_defeat_bears_2414_before_83501/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=4-1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> On the first play from scrimmage in the 1950 NFL Championship Game, Waterfield threw an 82-yard touchdown pass to Glenn Davis, but the Browns prevailed, 30–28.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 25, 1950 |title=Groza's Field Goal Beats Rams, 30–28 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10482783/grozas_field_goal_beats_rams_3028/ |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |page=32 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

===1951 season===
[[File:Bob Waterfield and Joe Stydahar 1951.jpg|thumb|Waterfield (left) signs a 1951 contract with the Los Angeles Rams as head coach [[Joe Stydahar]] (right) looks on.]]
During the off-season following the 1950 season, Waterfield tried his hand at an acting career. He starred with [[Johnny Weissmuller]] in "[[Jungle Manhunt]]" (also known as "Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land"), playing the part of a football player stranded in the jungle.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 24, 1951 |title=Football Star Bob Waterfield Becomes Movie Jungle Hero |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10483216/football_star_bob_waterfield_becomes/ |work=Asbury Park Press |page=23 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In the fall of 1951, Waterfield resumed his role as the Rams' regular starting quarterback, starting 10 of the Rams' 12 games at the position. He led the [[1951 Los Angeles Rams season|1951 Rams]] to an 8–4 record and the NFL championship. During the 1951 season, Waterfield led the NFL with an 81.8 passer rating, an average of 17.8 yards per completion, and 13 field goals made. He ranked second in the league with 98 points scored.<ref name=PFR/> He also had the longest pass in the NFL during the 1951 season, a 91-yard touchdown pass to [[Elroy Hirsch]] in a 42–17 victory over the Chicago Bears.<ref name=PFR/><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1951 |title=Rams Thrash Bears, 42–17, To Top West Group In NFL |work=Wilmington Morning News |page=17}}</ref> At the end of the 1951 season, Waterfield played in his second Pro Bowl and was selected by the UP as the second-team quarterback (behind [[Otto Graham]]) on the [[1951 All-Pro Team]].<ref name=PFR/>

===1952 season===
In 1952, Waterfield shared the Rams' quarterback job with Norm Van Brocklin, each starting six games.

On December 1, 1952, he announced his plan to retire at the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 1, 1952 |title=Bob Waterfield Plans to Retire |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10485365/bob_waterfield_plans_to_retire/ |work=The Times (San Mateo, CA) |page=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He was honored with Bob Waterfield Day for the Rams' final home game on December 14, 1952. The Rams retired Waterfield's No. 7 jersey and presented Waterfield with gifts in pregame ceremonies.<ref name=LAT52/><ref name="fete">{{Cite news |date=December 15, 1952 |title=Fans Fete Bob Waterfield in Last Home Game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10484563/fans_fete_bob_waterfield_in_last_home/ |work=San Bernardino Daily Sun |page=8 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

The Rams compiled a 9–3 record, tied for best in the National Conference with the [[1952 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]. In the [[1952 NFL playoffs|divisional playoff]] on December 21, he alternated with Van Brocklin on throws and kicked three extra points but threw a late interception as Detroit won 31–21.

===Career accomplishments===
At the time of his retirement in December 1952, Waterfield held four NFL career records (315 extra points and 60 field goals), a single-season record with 54 extra points in 1950, and a single-game record with five field goals in a game, and was tied for another single-game record with nine extra points in a game.<ref name=PFR/><ref name="LAT52">{{Cite news |date=December 14, 1952 |title=Fans Honor Waterfield Today as Rams, Steelers Tangle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10484413/fans_honor_waterfield_today_as_rams/ |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=II-6, II-9 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

During eight seasons with the Rams, he led the team to two NFL championships and four divisional championships.  He averaged 42.4 yards as a punter, and he completed 814 passes for 11,849 yards and 97 touchdowns.<ref name=PFR/>

==Motion picture producer and football coach==
[[File:Jane Russell with her first husband Bob Waterfield, 1952.jpg|thumb|Waterfield with [[Jane Russell]], 1952]]
In 1954, Waterfield went into business with his wife, movie star [[Jane Russell]], forming Russ-Field Productions to produce motion pictures.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 28, 1954 |title=Bob Waterfield Trying Hand As Big Film Producer Now |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10486970/bob_waterfield_trying_hand_as_big_film/ |work=Fort Lauderdale News |page=30 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1955 |title=Bob Waterfield Still Calls Signals for 'Russ-Field' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10487224/bob_waterfield_still_calls_signals_for/ |work=Independent (Long Beach, CA) |page=24 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Waterfield and Russell had begun dating when she was still a Van Nuys High School student.<ref name="1962Guide" /> The couple's productions included ''[[Run for the Sun]]'' (1956) and ''[[The King and Four Queens]]'' (1956).<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 8, 1955 |title=Jane Russell, Bob Waterfield Sign Widmark for Next Film |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10487328/jane_russell_bob_waterfield_sign/ |work=Albuquerque Journal |page=25 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 1957 |title=Advertisement for 'The King and Four Queens' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10487539/advertisement_for_the_king_and_four/ |work=The Indianapolis Star |page=14 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

Waterfield also worked as the kicking coach for the Rams in 1954 and again in 1955, working with Rams' linebacker [[Les Richter]] on his placekicking.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1954 |title=L. A. Rams Sign Up Bob Waterfield – As Kicking Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10487043/l_a_rams_sign_up_bob_waterfield_as/ |work=Daily Independent Journal |page=6 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 3, 1955 |title=Bob Waterfield to Aid Coaching Staff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10487130/bob_waterfield_to_aid_coaching_staff/ |work=The Bonham Daily Favorite |page=6 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In 1957, he also worked as an assistant coach for the [[Toronto Argonauts]] in the [[Canadian Football League]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 8, 1957 |title=Waterfield Set as Toronto Aide |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10487985/waterfield_set_as_toronto_aide/ |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |page=17 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

In June 1958, Waterfield returned to the NFL as an assistant coach for the Rams. He was assigned to develop the team's quarterbacks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 3, 1954 |title=Waterfield Hired by Gilman as Aide: Ram Star to Coach Quarters |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10485626/waterfield_hired_by_gilman_as_aide_ram/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He developed [[Bill Wade]] into an outstanding quarterback in 1958, but Waterfield left the team after the 1958 season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 10, 1959 |title=Waterfield to Succeed Gillman? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10485963/waterfield_to_succeed_gillman/ |work=Independent (Long Beach, CA) |page=17 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

[[Sid Gillman]] resigned as the Rams head coach after the team went 2–10 in 1959. In January 1960, Waterfield signed a five-year contract to take over as the Rams' head coach.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 13, 1960 |title=Rams Hire Waterfield as Head Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10486677/rams_hire_waterfield_as_head_coach/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=IV-1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> After two seasons with four wins each, the third season in [[1962 NFL season|1962]] was even less successful and he resigned after the eighth game with just one win.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1952 |title=Watefield Quits; Svare Ram Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10488174/waterfield_quits_svare_ram_coach/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=41 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>Jim Murray, [https://archive.today/20120714005031/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Wa5JAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_RwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6480,8044722 "Waterfield Couldn't Keep Drive Going,"] ''Modesto Bee, March 31, 1983, pg. C1.</ref> Waterfield's overall record as the Rams' head coach was 9–24–1 (.289). He was later a team scout and a rancher near Van Nuys.<ref name="ech">[http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=WRB1 The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History] – Bob Waterfield – accessed December 31, 2011</ref>

==Honors and awards==
Waterfield received numerous awards and honors for his football career, including the following:
* He was selected as the first-team quarterback on the [[1945 All-Pro Team|1945]], [[1946 All-Pro Team|1946]], and [[1949 All-Pro Team]]s.<ref name=PFR/>
* In 1945, he received the [[Joe F. Carr Trophy]] as the [[National Football League Most Valuable Player Award|NFL's most valuable player]].<ref name=GB46/>
* He was selected twice to play in the Pro Bowl ([[1951 Pro Bowl|1950]], [[1952 Pro Bowl|1951]]).<ref name=PFR/>
* In 1952, his jersey [[Los Angeles Rams#Retired numbers|No. 7]] was retired by the Los Angeles Rams.<ref name=fete/>
* In 1965, he was elected to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] as part of the third class of inductees.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 20, 1965 |title=Waterfield Makes NFL Hall of Fame |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10490180/waterfield_makes_nfl_hall_of_fame/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=37 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mal Florence |date=September 9, 1965 |title=Honor, Not Fanfare, for Waterfield |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10490101/honor_not_fanfare_for_waterfield/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=50 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>
* In 1969, he was selected as a quarterback on the [[National Football League 1940s All-Decade Team|NFL 1940s All-Decade Team]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 29, 1969 |title=Waterfield, Baugh Top NFL's All-1940s Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10490577/waterfield_baugh_top_nfls_all1940s/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=47 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref>

==Family and later years==

On April 24, 1943, Waterfield married actress [[Jane Russell]], his sweetheart from Van Nuys High School who had subsequently gained fame as a [[pin-up girl]]. The couple eloped to [[Las Vegas]] shortly after Waterfield entered the military.<ref name="JRW">{{Cite news |date=April 27, 1943 |title=Jane Russell Wed To U.C.L.A. Football Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10443601/jane_russell_wed_to_ucla_football/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=19 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> They adopted three children, Thomas, Tracy, and Robert John, during the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 29, 1956 |title=Jane Russell and Husband Adopt 3rd Baby |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10487765/jane_russell_and_husband_adopt_3rd_baby/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=56 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> Russell filed for divorce in February 1967, charging him with abuse,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 4, 1967 |title=Jane Russell Sues Bob Waterfield for Divorce |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10490402/jane_russell_sues_bob_waterfield_for/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> and Waterfield counterclaimed accusing Russell of habitual intemperance and excessive drinking.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 7, 1967 |title=Waterfield Charges Jane Russell With Excessive Drinking |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10490314/waterfield_charges_jane_russell_with/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=II-1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> The divorce was granted in July 1968, with custody of the two oldest children being granted to Russell and custody of the youngest to Waterfield.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1968 |title=Jane Russell, Waterfield End Marriage |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10443685/jane_russell_waterfield_end_marriage/ |work=Los Angeles Times |page=II-2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> He married Janet Ann Green in 1970.<ref name=ech/>

After an extended illness, Waterfield died of [[respiratory failure]] on March 25, 1983, at the age of 62, five weeks before his former teammate Van Brocklin. He had been in the [[intensive care unit]] at [[Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center|St. Joseph Medical Center]] in [[Burbank, California|Burbank]] for two weeks prior to his death.<ref name="watdie">Associated Press, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=t-0vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nu4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6937%2C5298876 "Ex-Rams Star Dies after Long Illness,"] ''Spokane Spokesman Review,'' March 26, 1983, pg.17.</ref>

==Head coaching record==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular Season !! colspan="14"|Post Season 
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
|-
![[Los Angeles Rams|LAR]]||[[1960 NFL season|1960]]
||4||7||1||.375 ||6th in NFL West|| – || – || – || –
|-
![[Los Angeles Rams|LAR]]||[[1961 NFL season|1961]]
||4||10||0||.286||6th in NFL West|| – || – || – || –
|-
![[Los Angeles Rams|LAR]]||[[1962 NFL season|1962]]
||1||7||0||.125||7th in NFL West|| – || – || – || –
|-
! colspan="2"|Los Angeles Total||9||24||1||.279|||| – || – || – || –
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Profootballhof|226}}
* {{IMDb name|0913947}}

{{UCLA Bruins quarterback navbox}}
{{Cleveland Rams 1944 draft navbox}}
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{{navboxes
|title= Bob Waterfield—championships, awards, and honors
|list1=
{{Cleveland Rams 1944 draft navbox}}
{{1945 Cleveland Rams}}
{{1951 Los Angeles Rams}}
{{NFL1940s}}
{{Joe F. Carr Trophy}}
{{NFL completion percentage leaders}}
{{NFL passing touchdown leaders}}
{{Los Angeles Rams 40th Anniversary Team}}
{{Los Angeles Rams retired numbers}}
{{Los Angeles Rams}}
{{St. Louis Football Ring Of Fame}}
{{1965 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waterfield, Bob}}
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1983 deaths]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:American football safeties]]
[[Category:American football placekickers]]
[[Category:American football punters]]
[[Category:American football return specialists]]
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[[Category:Van Nuys High School alumni]]
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[[Category:Coaches of American football from California]]
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