National Football League

Six-time Pro Bowl center Saul dies

Published Apr. 16, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Rich Saul, a six-time Pro Bowl center who played on the only Los Angeles Rams team to reach the Super Bowl, has died.

The St. Louis Rams posted a statement on their website Monday saying Saul died Sunday in Newport Beach, Calif., after nine years of battling leukemia. He was 64.

Originally the Rams' eighth-round draft pick out of Michigan State in 1970, Saul earned Pro Bowl status in each of his last six seasons from 1975 to 1981 and finished his career with 105 consecutive starts.

He was a favorite of Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo, who took his snaps in Super Bowl XIV. The Rams lost 31-19 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Saul's twin brother Ron also played 12 seasons in the NFL for the Houston Oilers and Washington Redskins.

At Michigan State, where he played with Ron, Saul was an all-conference linebacker. He then was converted to center in the NFL.

After his NFL career, Saul went on to work in banking and real estate for more than 25 years and had involvement in the Arena Football League.

He was originally diagnosed with cancer in 1999 and faced colon cancer and lymphoma along with leukemia.

He is survived by wife Eileen, their son Josh and daughter Jaime, and five grandchildren.

— NewsCore contributed to this report.

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