Background
He grew up in Manitoba, Canada, where he played guard at the University of Manitoba.
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Les Lear
Edit ProfileCareer
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.
Achievements
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Lear started his professional football career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian League and helped the team to two Grey Cup victories. After his stint in the NFL, Lear returned to Canada where he coached the Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders to an undefeated season in 1948- the only Canadian Football League team to go undefeated in a season.
