This Stanford legend played his way into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Detroit Lions stardom.

College Career

Reynolds was a standout two-way tackle for Stanford University from 1933 to 1935. A physically imposing figure at 6'4" and around 230 pounds, he was a cornerstone of the dominant Stanford teams of that era, famously known as the "Vow Boys" for their pledge to never lose to USC – a promise they upheld for three consecutive years. Reynolds achieved an unprecedented feat, playing every single minute of three consecutive Rose Bowl games (1934-1936) on both offense and defense, a testament to his exceptional stamina and skill. His relentless play earned him the nickname "The Horse," not directly for his size, but due to a memorable prank involving a horse in his dorm room. Reynolds was a consensus All-American in 1934 and a first-team All-American again in 1935, recognized as a powerful force who "knocked people down like they were wooden statues."  

Road to the Pro Game

Initially intending to enter the oil business after college, Reynolds was drafted by the Green Bay Packers but chose not to pursue professional football immediately. However, a persuasive offer from G.A. Richards, owner of the Detroit Lions and the KMPC radio station, led Reynolds to a unique proposition. A coin toss determined that Reynolds would play two seasons for the Lions with the agreement that he could work at KMPC during the off-seasons.

Football Legacy

While his NFL career was relatively brief, spanning two seasons (1937-1938) with the Detroit Lions, Bob Reynolds' primary football legacy lies in his remarkable collegiate achievements at Stanford. His dominance as a two-way player, particularly his unprecedented Iron Man streak in three Rose Bowl victories, cemented his place as one of the all-time great college football players. His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1961 underscores the profound impact he had on the sport during his time at Stanford. Beyond football, Reynolds transitioned into a successful businessman in radio and professional sports, co-founding the California Angels (now Los Angeles Angels) Major League Baseball team, further demonstrating his leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.

Accolades, Awards and Career Stats

✦ Consensus All-American (1934)

✦ First-team All-American (1935 - New York Sun)  

✦ Played every minute of three consecutive Rose Bowl games (1934, 1935, 1936)  

✦ Detroit Lions (1937-1938) - Played in 20 games as a tackle

✦ College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1961)