Mike Fanning turns 66 today.
Former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Mike Fanning turns 63 today.
Fanning was the Rams first selection (9th overall) in the 1975 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.
(An amazing draft when you consider that the team—GM Don Klosterman—followed the Fanning pick with Dennis Harrah (13-seasons, 6-Pro Bowls) with the 11th overall selection. Doug France (2-Pro Bowls) 20th overall. That was just the first round. In the second round cornerback Monte Jackson (2-Pro Bowls) was taken. Rod Perry (2-Pro Bowls) in the fourth round, and Pat Haden (1-Pro Bowl) in the seventh round.)
Fanning played eight seasons with the Rams as a reliable backup to Merlin Olsen and Larry Brooks. Later he split time with Cody Jones as a starter. In his playing days Fanning’s measurements were 6-6, 255…He might be an outside linebacker today.
He appeared in 11 playoff games for the team and started Super Bowl 14 alongside Jack Youngblood.
Fanning played his last two seasons with Detroit in 1983, and Seattle in 1984.
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