Dan Reeves (American football executive)
| Dan Reeves | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
Daniel Farrell Reeves June 30, 1912 New York City, New York, United States |
| Died | April 15, 1971 (aged 58) New York City, New York, United States |
| Cause of death | Hodgkin's disease |
| Resting place |
Gate of Heaven Cemetery Hawthorne, New York |
| Education |
Georgetown University (no degree) |
| Occupation | businessman and sports entrepreneur |
| Known for | Owner of the NFL's Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams franchise, 1941–1971 |
| Spouse(s) | Mary V. Corron Reeves (m.1935–1971, his death) |
| Children | 6 |
Daniel Farrell Reeves (June 30, 1912 – April 15, 1971) was an American sports entrepreneur, best known as the owner of the National Football League's Rams franchise from 1941 to his death in 1971.
Reeves is remembered for his pioneering move of the Rams from Cleveland to Los Angeles 71 years ago 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 an African-American 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.
Born in New York City to Irish immigrants James Reeves and Rose Farrell, Reeves' father and an uncle, Daniel, had risen together from fruit peddlers to owners of a grocery-store chain, bringing wealth to the family.
Reeves was a graduate of the Newman School in Lakewood, New Jersey, and attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., which he left before acquiring his degree. While attending Georgetown, Reeves met his future wife, Mary V. Corroon. The couple were married on October 25, 1935 and would together have six children.
The Reeves family's grocery chain was sold to Safeway Stores in 1941, generating capital and freeing the youthful Dan Reeves, age 29, to pursue his dream of owning a professional football franchise.
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