Former NFL & NCAA Champion Tragically Passes Away Following Battle With Brutal Illness
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Legendary running back Jim Lindsey has passed away.
The football community is deeply mourning the loss of a rare championship-winning gridiron icon.
Football World Mourns the Passing of Legend Jim Lindsey
Recently, news emerged that legendary running back Jim Lindsey passed away at the age of 81. This was the second death for the Vikings franchise in as many months. According to a detailed obituary report from the Daily Mail, the decorated athlete bravely battled a lengthy illness prior to his passing.
The dynamic sports figure originally made his mark starring for the Arkansas Razorbacks during the mid-1960s. Most notably, he helped guide the legendary 1964 team to an undefeated season and a national championship share.
“We are saddened by the loss of Arkansas legend Jim Lindsey,” Arkansas Football wrote on X. “He made Arkansas a better place in many ways. His friends and family are in our thoughts.”
The Illustrious Pro Career and Business Legacy of Lindsey
Following an illustrious college career, Lindsey was drafted in the second round of the 1966 NFL Draft by the Vikings and the second round of the 1966 AFL Draft by the Bills. Succeeding at the absolute highest level of professional sports requires incredible durability and immense athletic versatility.
Fortunately, Jim Lindsey possessed those exact traits throughout his highly successful eight-year tenure with the Minnesota Vikings. He primarily excelled as a reliable special-teams contributor and a crucial offensive weapon for the historic franchise.
Furthermore, he reached the pinnacle of pro football by capturing the NFL Championship in 1969.
In 84 games with the Vikings, Lindsey rushed 178 times for 566 yards and six touchdowns. Additionally, he caught 56 passes for 632 yards and four touchdowns. Furthermore, he fielded 11 kickoffs for 200 yards. Consequently, after retiring from the gridiron, Jim Lindsey seamlessly pivoted into building a massive commercial real estate empire.
He eventually owned thousands of regional apartment complexes and dozens of premium golf courses across the Midwest. Additionally, he partnered with his former college teammate Jerry Jones to fund extensive university philanthropic projects. Ultimately, his incredible triumphs both on and off the field ensure that his magnificent legacy will never be forgotten.
