They were the first major professional "sports" team west of the Mississippi River; the first to integrate, even before Jackie Robinson; the first team to reach a million fans; and the first team with a TV contract. In so very many ways they were the first modern sports franchise !
The above is from a book I read while snowbound recently above Lake Tahoe. "Hollywood's Team-Grit, Glamour, and the 1950s Los Angeles Rams". Written by Jim Hock the son of John Hock an All Pro offensive lineman during the 50s. In it the author tells how Sid Gillman opened up the passing game with VanBrocklin to make the sport so exciting to see on television.
