Vince Ferragamo

Vince Ferragamo is a former NFL quarterback known for his tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, highlighted by leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance. Ferragamo began his collegiate football career at the University of California before transferring to the University of Nebraska, where he earned All-Big Eight Conference, All-American, and Academic All-American honors. He concluded his college career by leading the Cornhuskers to a victory over Texas Tech in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.

Ferragamo was selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Early in his professional football career, he played behind veterans Pat Haden and Joe Namath. Ferragamo became the starting quarterback mid-season after Haden's injury, guiding the Rams to playoff victories over the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and starting in Super Bowl XIV. He became the first quarterback to start a Super Bowl in the same season as his first career start. The Rams led after three quarters before falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31–19. The following season, Ferragamo threw for 30 touchdowns, tying for second most in the NFL, and set a franchise record with 3,199 passing yards. He also set a single-game record by throwing for 509 yards against the Chicago Bears, which was the second-highest passing total in NFL history at the time. Over his career, Ferragamo accumulated more than 11,000 passing yards and 76 touchdowns across 75 games, and was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated twice within eight months.

After retiring from professional football, which included stints with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, the Buffalo Bills, and the Green Bay Packers, Ferragamo established a career in real estate, founding Touchdown Real Estate in Orange County. He also pursued winemaking through Ferragamo-Migneco Vineyards in Santa Maria, California, where his wines have received recognition, including a gold medal and Best of Class honors at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition. Ferragamo has remained involved in football as a color commentator for Rams preseason games and through regular media appearances.

Ferragamo is active in philanthropy as chairman of the Vince Ferragamo Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting groups such as Special Olympics, Speech and Language Development Center, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Boys & Girls Club. The foundation's annual Fight with Grace luncheon supports breast cancer research, and the Orange Coast Memorial Foundation has named a wing in its honor. Ferragamo's career spans professional sports, real estate, winemaking, broadcasting, and community service.