Rozelle began his NFL career in 1957 as the public relations director for the Los Angeles Rams. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Rams' general manager in 1960. That same year, he was elected NFL commissioner, replacing Bert Bell. As commissioner, Rozelle was instrumental in the development of the NFL into a major professional sports league. He was responsible for the creation of the NFL's first television contracts, which generated massive revenue for the league. He also negotiated the merger between the NFL and the AFL, which created the Super Bowl, the most watched annual sporting event in the United States.
Rozelle also implemented a number of rules and regulations that improved the quality of the game. He introduced the use of instant replay to review controversial calls, instituted the use of penalty flags, and created the NFL's first drug policy. He also implemented a salary cap to ensure competitive balance among teams.
Rozelle's tenure as commissioner was marked by unprecedented growth and success for the NFL. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and was named Sports Executive of the Century by Sports Illustrated in 1999. His legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport remains to this day.
🏈