Los Angeles Rams

TBT: To 1997, when Rams drafted future Hall of Fame OL with No. 1 pick

Published Apr. 28, 2016 1:32 p.m. ET

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For the first time in over 20 years, the city of Los Angeles has a stake in the NFL Draft.

The LA Rams, owners of the coveted No. 1 pick, will make their selection shortly after 5p on Thursday night.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher joked that yes, the team will take an offensive player with their lone first-round pick.

So will it be Cal quarterback Jared Goff or QB Carson Wentz of North Dakota State? 

But, before tonight's fun, let's remember the No. 1 pick made by the Rams, then located in St. Louis, in 1997.

On April 19 in New York City, the Rams selected Ohio State All-American tackle Orlando Pace -- the first offensive lineman taken first overall in 30 years.

Pace would go on to start 165 regular-season games plus 10 playoff appearances and two Super Bowls (with one win in 2000 over the Titans).

Pace, part of the 2016 NFL Hall of Fame class, helped block for three-straight NFL MVPs and played a huge role in one of the league's top offenses (aka, 'Greatest Show on Turf') from 1999-2006.

At 6-foot-5, 325-pounds, Pace was one player the Rams and then-coach Dick Vermeil didn't want to lose out on in 1997 -- moving up to the No. 1 spot after trading away four picks to the Jets.

Pace played 12 of his 13 seasons with the Rams.

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