Rose Bowl Hall of Fame
Les Richter was one of the most versatile and accomplished players in Cal football history, starring at guard, linebacker and kicker from 1949-51. During his three varsity seasons, Richter helped the Golden Bears to a 27-4-1 record and made two trips to Pasadena. In the 1951 Rose Bowl Game against Michigan, Richter played a key role on both sides of the ball as Cal led 6-0 before the Wolverines rallied for a 14-6 victory. A two-time consensus All-American, Richter was named a team co-captain as a senior and set a Pacific Coast Conference record by making 40 extra points in 1951. He graduated as Cal’s valedictorian before serving two years as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Richter was selected No. 2 overall in the 1952 NFL Draft and went on to an eight-time Pro Bowl career with the Rams. Richter was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Richter died in 2010 at age 79.
