Jim Parker (American football)

James Thomas Parker (April 3, 1934 – July 18, 2005) was an American professional

As a senior in 1956, Parker was listed at six feet, two inches tall, weighed 262 pounds,[9] and helped lead the Buckeyes to a 6–3 record. At the end of the season, he received multiple honors, including:

• Most valuable player on the 1956 Ohio State Buckeyes football team;
• Unanimous All-America selection'^[10]
• Winner of the Outland Trophy as the nation's top guard or tackle;^[11] and
• Finished eighth in the Heisman vote.^[12]

NFL career

Parker was selected by the

Parker has been called "the best pure pass-blocker who ever lived. Knew all the tricks — the quick push-off, the short jab — that are legal now."[13]

Parker injured his knee during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 24, 1967.^[14] The injury ended Parker's streak of 139 consecutive games played for the Colts.^[2] He appeared in only three games in 1967 and announced his retirement in December 1967, explaining that he had been in pain since the injury and the knee had not improved.^[14] He noted at the time: "I feel I can't do it. I can't slide to my right and I can't run."^[15]

Legacy and honors

Parker received numerous honors for his contributions to the sport. His honors include the following:

• Following his retirement in 1967, the Colts retired his jersey No. 77.^[16][17]
• In August 1969, Parker was named to the
  NFL's 1950s All-Decade Team.^[18]
• In September 1969, he was selected by the Football Writers Association of America as one of two guards on the all-time All-America team consisting of players from the modern era starting in 1920.^[19]
• He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973, his first year of eligibility. He was the first full-time offensive lineman so inducted.^[20]
• In 1974, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.^[21]
• Also in 1974, he was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.^[22]
• In 1977, he became a charter inductee in the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame.
• In August 1994, he was named to the
  National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team selected by a 15-person panel of NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame officials, former players, and media representatives.^[23]
• In August 1999, Parker was ranked number 24 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. He ranked second among guards behind John Hannah, and third among offensive linemen behind Hannah and Anthony Muñoz.^[24]
• Also in August 1999, Parker was selected as an offensive guard on the Sports Illustrated college-football All-Century team.^[25]
• In 2007, he was selected by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the No. 1 spot on its list of the top 25 all-time professional football players from Georgia.^[26]
• In 2019, he was named to the
  National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
  .

Family and later years

From 1964 to 1999, Parker operated a liquor store in Baltimore's Liberty-Garrison neighborhood.^[2] In 1999, he suffered a stroke and closed the store.^[27][28]

Parker had 14 children and 23 grandchildren.

References