Date of birth | July 27, 1947 |
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Place of birth | South Gate, CA |
Career information | |
Position(s) | Tight End |
Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
College | Southern California |
NFL draft | 1969 / Round: 1 / Pick 21 |
Career history | |
As player | |
1969–1976 | Los Angeles Rams |
1977–1979 | San Diego Chargers |
Career stats | |
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Robert Owen "Bob" Klein is an American retired American football tight end.
Klein played college football at the University of Southern California, where he was the starting tight end for the Trojans' 1967 national championship team. Following his senior season, he was drafted 21st overall in the 1969 NFL draft by his hometown Los Angeles Rams. At USC, Klein was part of the Gamma Tau chapter of Beta Theta Pi.
In his first two seasons with the Rams, Klein served as the backup tight end to veteran Billy Truax. While he appeared in all 14 games in his rookie season, he had only 2 pass receptions as he was primarily a blocker in the Rams' run oriented offense. However, he did catch a touchdown pass in the Rams 23-20 playoff loss in Minnesota to the Vikings. After the 1970 season, the Rams traded Truax to the Dallas Cowboys for wide receiver Lance Rentzel, and Klein took over the Rams' starting tight end position. Klein, an excellent blocker, also expanded his repertoire so that he averaged 21 receptions per season from 1971-76.
After the 1976 season, Klein was traded to the San Diego Chargers. Playing in the Chargers' high powered passing attack led by hall of fame quarterback Dan Fouts, Klein caught 91 passes for 8 touchdowns from 1977-79. Klein was then replaced by future hall of fame tight end Kellen Winslow and retired after the 1979 season.
In a 1985 vote of the fans, Klein was named as the tight end on the Los Angeles Rams 40th Anniversary Team.
Klein has three children and married. Is President and CEO Saint John's Health Center Foundation