Dan Reeves (American football executive)
Daniel Farrell Reeves (June 30, 1912 – April 15, 1971) was an American sports entrepreneur, best known as the owner of the National Football League (NFL) franchise Los Angeles Rams. He owned the franchise when it was operating in Cleveland, Ohio in 1941, and he would own the team until his death in 1971.
Dan Reeves | |
|---|---|
Reeves, circa 1950 | |
| Born | Daniel Farrell Reeves June 30, 1912 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | April 15, 1971 (aged 58) New York City, U.S. |
| Resting place | Gate of Heaven Cemetery (Hawthorne, New York) |
| Education | Georgetown University (no degree) |
| Occupation(s) | businessman and sports entrepreneur |
| Known for | Owner of the NFL's Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams franchise, 1941–1971 |
| Spouse | Mary V. Corroon Reeves (m.1935–1971, his death) |
| Children | 6 |
Reeves is remembered for his move of the Rams from Cleveland to Los Angeles in 1946, where it became the first American major league sports franchise on the Pacific Coast. He was also the first NFL owner to sign a black player in the post World War II era, inking deals with halfback Kenny Washington and end Woody Strode in 1946, as well as being the first to employ a full-time scouting staff.
Reeves was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.