Jim Stiger

James Edward Stiger (January 7, 1941 – December 12, 1981) was an American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams. He played college football at the University of Washington.

Jim Stiger
No. 40, 26
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1941-01-07)January 7, 1941
Carthio, Texas, U.S.
Died:December 12, 1981(1981-12-12) (aged 40)
Lompoc, California, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:Corcoran (CA)
College:Washington
NFL Draft:1963 / Round: 19 / Pick: 258
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:58
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Stiger attended Corcoran High School, before moving on to Bakersfield Junior College, where he helped his team reach the Little Rose Bowl. He transferred to the University of Washington after his sophomore season in 1961.

As a junior, he played as a fullback, registering 582 rushing yards, 4.5-yard average, 33 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

As a senior, he was switched to halfback behind Junior Coffey, posting as a backup 229 rushing yards, 4.8-yard average, 2 rushing touchdowns, 52 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[1]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Stiger was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 19th round (258th overall) of the 1963 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he was the starting fullback in 3 games, while leading the team in kickoff and punt returns, including a 45-yard punt return (at the time second longest in club history). He finished 10th in the league with 573 combined kickoff and punt return yards.[2]

In 1964, he started 8 games at both fullback and halfback. He served mainly as a backup to Amos Marsh, until being waived on November 3, 1965, to make room for punter Colin Ridgway, the first Australian to play in the National Football League.[3]

Los Angeles Rams

On November 6, 1965, he was signed by the Los Angeles Rams to help improve the return game. In 1966, he was the fourth leading punt returner in the NFL. He was released on September 17, 1968, after arriving out of shape to training camp.[4][5]

Personal life

On December 12, 1981, he died of a heart attack while playing racquetball.[6]

References
  1. Associated Press (August 22, 1962). "Spartans' 'Iron Man' System Defies Platoon". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Milwaukee.
  2. "Rank'Em: Best Picks By Round in Cowboys History". Dallas Cowboys. April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  3. "Landry to Stick with Meredith". The Gazette. Schenectady. Associated Press. November 4, 1965. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  4. Press Dispatches (September 5, 1968). "Osborne to Undergo Surgery, Could Miss Entire Season". The Milwaukee Journal. Milwaukee.
  5. Kaine, Elinor (September 18, 1968). "Desperate Bills May Try Stephenson at QB". The Miami News. Miami.
  6. Associated Press (December 16, 1981). "Jim Stiger". Toledo Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
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