Carl Ekern

Carl Frederick Ekern (May 27, 1954 – August 1, 1990) was a National Football League (NFL) linebacker.[1]

Carl Ekern
No. 55
Born:May 27, 1954
Richland, Washington, U.S.
Died:August 1, 1990 (aged 36)
Ridgecrest, California, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Linebacker
CollegeSan Jose State
NFL draft1976 / Round: 5/ Pick 128
Career history
As player
1976–1988Los Angeles Rams
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowls1

Biography

Ekern was born in Richland, Washington. He attended Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, California. Ekern was a graduate of San Jose State University and played pro football from 1976 to 1988 for the Los Angeles Rams. He appeared in the 1986 Rams promotional video, Let's Ram It,[2] under the name of "Carl E, General of the D."[3]

Ekern died of head injuries on August 1, 1990, when the Jeep he was driving ran off a highway near the Kern County town of Ridgecrest, California. At the time of the accident, Ekern was en route to Minden, Nevada, where he was a volunteer counselor and coach at the Rite of Passage, a camp for juvenile delinquents. The camp is located about 15 miles east of Lake Tahoe.[4][5]

Carl Ekern Spirit of The Game Award

The Carl Ekern award, honoring the former Rams linebacker, is the Los Angeles Rams award given to the player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, work ethic, and commitment to his teammates.[6]

References
  1. Ekern is a Norwegian name (Origin of The Name Ekern) Archived 2011-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Rams". Los Angeles Times. November 13, 1986. p. 129. Retrieved April 18, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  3. "Ram IT (NFL Rams Football Team) Song". Archived from the original on 2014-09-05. Retrieved April 17, 2018 – via YouTube.
  4. Ex-Spartan, Rams Star Ekern Killed In Accident (San Jose Mercury News, August 2, 1990, page 1E)
  5. Carl Ekern, Football Player, 36 (New York Times. August 4, 1990)
  6. Rams Team Awards (The official site of the St. Louis Rams)


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