Alan Sparkman

Alan Sparkman
Sparkman with the Los Angeles Rams (circa 1949)
No. 44, 59, 42[1]
PositionTackle
Personal information
Born(1926-02-17)February 17, 1926
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedFebruary 5, 2010(2010-02-05) (aged 83)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight253 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High schoolThomas Jefferson (San Antonio, Texas)
CollegeLouisville
Career history
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Alan Temple Sparkman (February 17, 1926 – February 5, 2010) was an American professional football tackle who played for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and Louisville Cardinals.

Early life

Alan Temple Sparkman was born on February 17, 1926, in Baltimore, Maryland.[1] He participated in high school football and track at Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas.[1] At 240 pounds, he was the heaviest player on the Associated Press all-state team his senior year in 1943.[2] Sparkman also ran the ball sometimes, with his best run being a 40-yard touchdown.[2] In spring 1944, he set the state record with a discus throw of 155 feet, 7 inches.[3][4]

College career

Sparkman enrolled at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas to play college football for the Texas A&M Aggies. He was on the roster during the 1944 season but did not earn a varsity letter.[1][5] On October 25, 1944, he had to leave the team to report to the United States Navy.[6][1]

In 1946, Sparkman transferred to the University of Louisville to play for the Cardinals. He was a varsity letterman during the 1946 season.[1]

In August 1947, it was reported that Sparkman would be enrolling at the University of Southern California for the 1947 season.[7] However, this does not appear to have happened.[1]

Professional career

Sparkman signed with the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL) in 1948.[1] He played in all 12 games, starting two, for the Rams in 1948 as the backup to Dick Huffman.[8][4] Sparkman also returned one kickoff for no yards before fumbling the ball.[8]

On July 11, 1949, Sparkman was reported as being the largest tackle on the Rams at 6'6" and 260 pounds.[9] On July 22, he officially signed with the team for the 1949 season.[10] The Rams allocated Sparkman to their farm team, the Richmond Rebels of the American Association.[1] He appeared in seven games, starting one, for the Rebels during the 1949 season.[1] On November 15, 1949, he was recalled to the Rams.[1] He then played in the final four games of the 1949 NFL season for Los Angeles in a reserve role and recovered one fumble.[8] Sparkman also played in the 1949 NFL Championship Game in a backup role.[8]

Personal life

Sparkman died on February 5, 2010, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Al Sparkman". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Alan Sparkman Leads Delegation Of Grid Stars From San Antonio". Times Record News. July 29, 1944. p. 3. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Interscholastic Races Seldom Draw Crowds". The Austin American. April 25, 1945. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Durham, Jack (December 26, 1948). "Ex-Mustang Giant, Now Pro, Is Yule Visitor". San Antonio Express-News. pp. 10C. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  5. ↑ "2015 Texas A&M Football Media Guide" (PDF). Texas A&M University. p. 192. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Aggies Lose Tackle". The Austin American. Associated Press. October 26, 1944. p. 9. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ Scherwitz, Harold (August 24, 1947). "Sportlights". San Antonio Light. p. 33. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Al Sparkman". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  9. ↑ Bellamy, Bill (July 11, 1949). "Sparkman Is Largest Tackle on Rams '11'". San Antonio Express-News. pp. 3A. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Rams Sign Three More". Santa Maria Times. United Press. July 22, 1949. p. 2. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
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