Jerry Rhome

Jerry Byron Rhome (born March 6, 1942 in Dallas) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Houston Oilers and the Los Angeles Rams. He closed out his professional career with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He played college football at the University of Tulsa.

Rhome attended Sunset High School in Texas, where he played football for his father Byron Rhome. He also practiced basketball and baseball.

He accepted a scholarship to play for Southern Methodist University. In 1961, he transferred by the end of his sophomore year to the University of Tulsa after a 2-7-1 season and the firing of head coach Bill Meek.

In 1963, after sitting out a year, he starred at Tulsa, passing for 1,909 yards, 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. As a senior, he registered 2,870 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, while leading the nation in total offense and finishing second in the Heisman Trophy voting to John Huarte in one of the closest selections ever recorded.

Rhome held a number of NCAA records, including the most touchdowns in a game and in a season and the most passes without an interception in a year and in a career. Rhome also won the Sammy Baugh Trophy in 1964 and had his No. 17 retired by the school.

In 1984, he was inducted into the University of Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1988, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He also was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Texas High School Hall of Fame.

Dallas Cowboys

Knowing that he had one more year of eligibility, the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the thirteenth round (172nd overall) of the 1964 NFL Draft with a future draft pick, as would the New York Jets in the 25th round (195th overall) of the 1964 AFL Draft.

Rhome began his professional career in 1965 as the third quarterback behind Don Meredith and Craig Morton, he got a chance to start one game that same year against the Cleveland Browns (17-23 loss).

He would serve in a backup role until the start of the 1969 season when Roger Staubach joined the team, and at his request the Cowboys traded Rhome to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a third round draft choice, that they would use to select Charlie Waters in the 1970 NFL Draft.

Cleveland Browns

Rhome was a backup to Bill Nelsen during the 1969 season, but the information he provided about the Cowboys offense, helped the Browns beat them in a 38-14 Conference Championship playoff win.

On January 27, 1970, he was traded to the Houston Oilers in exchange for a third round draft choice, that they gave back to the Dallas Cowboys in payment for their original trade.

Houston Oilers

Rhome would only play as a backup for the Houston Oilers for a year. On August 17, 1971, he was waived after the team decided to keep rookies Dan Pastorini and Lynn Dickey, to backup starter Charley Johnson.

Los Angeles Rams

On August 19, 1971, he was claimed off the waiver wire by the Los Angeles Rams, where he was a backup for one year. On August 24, 1972, he was released after the Rams acquired quarterback Pete Beathard.

Montreal Alouettes (CFL)

In October 1972, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. On December 18, he announced his retirement.

After he finished his pro playing career, Rhome became an assistant coach at the University of Tulsa. His first of many NFL coaching jobs was with the Seattle Seahawks. He earned a Super Bowl ring while coaching for the Washington Redskins. Rhome is credited with the signing of wide receiver Steve Largent to the Seattle Seahawks.