| No. 76 | |
 Rohde in 1961 | |
| Born: | (1938-04-16)April 16, 1938 Palatine, Illinois, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died: | May 13, 2017(2017-05-13) (aged 79) |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Tackle |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| College | Utah State |
| High school | Palatine |
| AFL draft | 1960, round: 2, pick: First Selections |
| Drafted by | Buffalo Bills |
| NFL draft | 1960, round: 5 / Pick 59 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1960–1974 | San Francisco 49ers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls | 1 (1970) |
| Career stats | |
| Games played | 208 |
| Starts | 179 |
| Fumble recoveries | 3 |
Leonard Emil Rohde(Pronounced: RO-dee) (April 16, 1938 – May 13, 2017) was an American footballoffensive tackle who played fifteen seasons for theSan Francisco 49ers of theNational Football League (NFL). He helped the 49ers win theNFC West Division from 1970 to 1972 and he was selected to thePro Bowl after the 1970 season. Rohde played college football atUtah State University.
Remembered as one of the most durable players in team history, Rohde played in 208 consecutive games over the course of a 15 year NFL career.
Len Rohde was born April 16, 1938, inPalatine, Illinois, the son of Emil Rohde, a farmer.[1] He attendedPalatine High School, where he playedfootball,basketball,[2]wrestled in the heavyweight division,[3] and participated in the power disciplines ofshot put anddiscus on the school'strack and field team.[4]
Rohde was successful in these various high school athletic pursuits, winning the Illinois state high school wrestling championship and setting a new Northwest conference record as a shot putter (12#, 50'0"),[5] in helping to lead the Pirates to a 9th consecutive title as a senior in 1955-56.[6]
Rohde attendedUtah State University. After spending the 1956 season on the freshman team, Rohde was made a member of the varsity in 1957, where the 6'3", 220-pounder immediately challenged for and won a starting spot at right tackle,[7] beating out a junior letterman for the role.
As theNCAA had reinstituted thesingle platoon system effective with the 1953 season, Rohde played in both an offensive and defensive capacity for the Aggies. Indeed, his agility, strength, and conditioning was such that he frequently played the entire duration of the game without substitution — gaining recognition as a "60-Minute Man".[8]
Despite Utah State's lack of success on the field, Rohde's play even as a sophomore began to attract regional attention for potentialAll-America consideration.[9]
Rohde continued to be a multi-sport athlete at Utah state, playing football in the fall, wrestling in the winter months, and throwing shot put in the spring.[1] He began his school career majoring in agricultural economics[1] but switched majors and ultimately graduated from Utah State in 1960 with aBachelor of Science degree in education.[10]
He continued his education while playing professional football, earning a Masters degree fromSan Diego State University in 1969.[11]
Rohde was selected in the 5th round of the1960 NFL draft by theSan Francisco 49ers, who made him the 59th player taken.
He spent the first three years of his NFL career primarily in a reserve role, backing upHall of Fame offensive right tackleBob St. Clair.[12] He saw action in all 40 games played by the Niners during these three seasons, posting 11 spot appearances as astarter.[13]
He was moved to a starting role on the other side in1963[12] and started as the team's left tackle without missing a single game until his retirement at the end of the1974 season.[13]
Rohde was an important part of the 49ers offense that led the NFL in points scored and yardage gained in 1965 and 1970. He was recognized by the league by selection to thePro Bowl after the1970 season.[11]
Rohde planned on coming back for a 16th NFL season in 1975, but the 37-year old lineman was taken aside by head coachDick Nolan, who told him, "Len, you've been a fantastic team player your whole life. You could probably do the team another big favor and retire."[14] With his back starting to cause him trouble, Rohde chose to take the hint and filed his retirement paperwork with the league office.[14]
Rohde married the former Beverly Ann Boston in December 1961.[10] The pair raised one son.[14]
Beginning in 1976, Rohde launched a second career in the food industry ultimately becoming the owner of sixBurger King franchises and holding majority stakes in fiveApplebee's restaurants, all in the San Francisco Bay area.[12]
Rohde died on May 13, 2017, aged 79.[15]
Rohde's 208 career games played stands as the most ever by a 49ers lineman.[15] Having appeared in every game of a 15-year NFL career without a single miss, he is regarded as the most durable player in team history.[14]