Hall of Fame
Patera, Jack
Jack Patera
- Induction:
- 2000
One of Coach Len Casanova's first Oregon recruits, Jack repaid the honor by starting all four years from 1951 through 1954. A phenomenal interior offensive lineman and rugged defender at linebacker, Patera was chosen a first-team all-Pacific Coast Conference performer on the 1954 all-star aggregation.
Following his collegiate career, he was selected to play in the East-West Shrine all-star game, the Hula Bowl and the College All-Stars contest. He played seven seasons in the NFL before embarking on a coaching career that associated him with fabled defensive lines with the Los Angeles Rams ("Fearsome Foursome") and Minnesota Vikings ("Purple People Eaters"). Patera later was named the first head coach in franchise history of the Seattle Seahawks in 1976 before he was voted NFL Coach of the Year two years later.
Following his collegiate career, he was selected to play in the East-West Shrine all-star game, the Hula Bowl and the College All-Stars contest. He played seven seasons in the NFL before embarking on a coaching career that associated him with fabled defensive lines with the Los Angeles Rams ("Fearsome Foursome") and Minnesota Vikings ("Purple People Eaters"). Patera later was named the first head coach in franchise history of the Seattle Seahawks in 1976 before he was voted NFL Coach of the Year two years later.
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