From Texas A&M, Dave Elmendorf was drafted in the third round in 1971 and spent all nine seasons in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams. The safety never made a Pro Bowl, yet he became a model of durability on some of the franchise’s strongest defensive teams of the decade.

Elmendorf arrived in Los Angeles as a dual-sport standout. A consensus All-American safety and two-time All-Southwest Conference selection at Texas A&M, he was also a two-time All-American center fielder in baseball and had been drafted by the New York Yankees. He chose football, signed with the Rams (for a reported $30,000 bonus), and immediately earned a starting role. As a rookie in 1971, he made the All-Rookie team. Over the next eight seasons, he remained a fixture in the secondary for the Rams’ consistently strong defenses of the 1970s. He was named the team’s Outstanding Defensive Back in 1973 and again in 1974. In 1974, he recorded a career-high seven interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, and earned All-NFC recognition. The following year he was named second-team All-Pro. Elmendorf also handled punt returns early in his career and was part of the 1979 Rams team that reached Super Bowl XIV.

After the Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh, Elmendorf retired. He later said nine seasons as a strong safety felt like enough, and going out after reaching the Super Bowl was the right time. He had 27 interceptions as a pro.