Background
He grew up in Manitoba, Canada, where he played guard at the University of Manitoba.
He grew up in Manitoba, Canada, where he played guard at the University of Manitoba.
In 1944, he signed with the Cleveland Rams of the NFL becoming the first Canadian-trained player to play in the NFL. He would play a total of 4 seasons in the NFL.
Following his retirement from football, Les Lear became involved in Thoroughbred horse racing both as a horse trainer and an owner. Lear was elected into the Canadian Hall of Fame in 1974. He died of kidney failure on January 5, 1979.