By Darin In the rugged landscape of small-college football, few players cast as long a shadow as Rod Cason. Standing 6’6″ and tipping the scales at 285 pounds—massive for his era—Cason was the cornerstone of a cultural shift at Angelo State University. Before his arrival, the Rams had endured the winless depths of a 0-10 season; by the time he left, he had transformed them into a perennial NAIA powerhouse. Known for his technical brilliance and sheer physical dominance at offensive tackle, “Big Rod” didn’t just protect his quarterback—illegally or otherwise—he paved the way for a Hall of Fame legacy that began in the heart of Texas.
Football Bio
February 9, 1950 – San Angelo, Texas – The awesome Offensive Tackle from the Angelo State Rams, Rod Cason, was born. The Football Foundation says Rod was a three-time NAIA All-American selection and assisted the Rams to three winning seasons and, in 1971, a berth in the NAIA semifinal playoffs. Rod Cason was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002 after the National Football Foundation tallied its votes. He made it into the NFL and played for the New England Patriots.
Conclusion
Rod Cason’s impact on the gridiron went far beyond the win-loss column. As the first football player in NAIA history to be named a First-Team All-American three consecutive times, he set a standard of excellence that remains a benchmark for Angelo State athletics. While his time in the NFL with the New England Patriots added a professional chapter to his story, his legacy is most deeply rooted in the transformation of the Rams’ program. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002, Cason remains a towering figure in the history of Texas football, remembered as a relentless competitor and a true pioneer of the “Luv Ya Blue” era’s physical style of play.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (Class of 2002)
- 3-time First-Team NAIA All-American (1969, 1970, 1971)
- 2-time Associated Press Second-Team All-American
- 3-time First-Team All-Lone Star Conference Selection
- Team Captain (1971 Angelo State Rams)
- NAIA Semifinalist (1971)
- Angelo State Hall of Honor Inductee (Class of 2015)
- NFL Draft: 11th Round selection by the New England Patriots (1972)
