Earl Faison Earl Faison ( born 1939 ) was an American college and Professional Football player who played in the American Football League between 1960 and 1966 . Drafted by both the Detroit Lions of the National Football League and the Los Angeles Chargers of the AFL , Faison signed with the Chargers as a first - round pick immediately after the conclusion of the East - West Shrine Game on December 31 , 1960 . The 6 - foot - 5 , 260 pound Faison had been an All - American at Indiana University , playing on both offense and defense . After entering the pro ranks , he worked with Chargers ' assistant coach Chuck Noll to continually blow past opposing offensive lineman on his way to smashing American Football League quarterbacks . Faison was a member of the original " " Fearsome Foursome " " ( the Chargers ' defensive line ) from 1961 - 66 . The “ Foursome ” was made up of Faison and Hall of Fame linemate Ernie Ladd , with alternate members of the group including Bob Petrich , Ron Nery , George Gross , Bill Hudson and Henry Schmidt . Despite often being double and triple - teamed , Faison was chosen as the American Football League Rookie of the Year and All - AFL in 1961 . He missed the early portion of the 1962 season , after suffering a knee injury , then reported late the following year after a contract dispute . The contract problems would resurface in 1965 , but his performance remained good enough to continue a string of four consecutive All - Star seasons in the league from 1961 to 1964 . On January 15 , 1966 , Faison and Ladd were dealt to the Houston Oilers as part of a five - player trade , but four days later , the trade was nullified because of tampering by Oilers ' owner Bud Adams . In response , Faison looked to the Canadian Football League ' s Toronto Argonauts , but eventually signed a three - year $ 90 , 000 contract with the Chargers on July 29 . The bitter contract problems , coupled with Faison ' s back problems , continued to linger until October 18 when Faison was released by the Chargers . In announcing the dismissal , Gillman bitterly noted that Faison , " has a long way to go to become average . " One day later , the expansion Miami Dolphins signed Faison for the remainder of the year . On June 27 , 1967 , Faison was involved in a seven - player trade that sent him to the Denver Broncos , but 10 days later , the team returned him back to the Dolphins , who then placed him on waivers on July 24 . Faison ' s release led him to file a lawsuit against Miami on October 6 , citing breach of contract . Claiming that his three - year contract entitled him to the remaining $ 60 , 000 over two years , Faison was ultimately unsuccessful in his lawsuit . A member of the Chargers Hall of Fame , Faison was also inducted into the Indiana University Hall of Fame in 1990 . In his post - playing career , Faison briefly dabbled in acting , including a pair of appearances in The Beverly Hillbillies . He then returned to California as an educator and football coach , and while at Lincoln High School , he served as head coach during the era of future Pro Football Hall of Fame r Marcus Allen before eventually serving as the school ' s principal . He later coached P . E . at Muirlands Junior High School in La Jolla . It was there that he coined the term " grabasser " for unruly students . Earl Faison is a member of The Pigskin Club Of Washington , D . C . National Intercollegiate All - American Football Players Honor Roll . In 1997 , Faison was also inducted by the San Diego Hall of Champions into the Breitbard Hall of Fame honoring San Diego ' s finest athletes both on and off the playing surface .