Dec. 12, 1963 - Some fine professional football players will bow out this weekend. The San Francisco 49ers will start Joe Perry (pictured in 1955) at fullback against the Green Bay Packers, and that will be the end for Joe, who began as a professional in 1948 at San Francisco. Leo Nomellini, the defensive tackle for the 49ers, will also be playing his last game. Nomellini was the first draft pick in the history of the 49ers, and he has been selected to the All-NFL team six times: two years on offense and four on defense. The Dallas Cowboys play at St. Louis, and going out for the Cowboys will be Eddie Le Baron, the 5-foot-7-inch quarterback, and Bill Howton, the split end. After serving with the U.S. Marines in the Korean War, Eddie got his professional start with the Washington Redskins in 1952, replacing Sammy Baugh in the starting lineup in the fourth game that season. Howton, a four-time Pro Bowler, began with the Packers the same year. Perry, Nomellini, Le Baron, and Howton have all announced their retirement plans.
