Jimmy Edwards (gridiron football)

Jimmy Edwards (September 19, 1952–July 3, 2002) was a running back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.

Jimmy Edwards
No. 20
Born:September 19, 1952
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died: (aged 49)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)RB
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight195 lb (88 kg)
CollegeOklahoma
Northeast Louisiana
High schoolClassen High School
Career history
As player
1974Birmingham Americans (WFL)
1975Shreveport Steamers (WFL)
1976–1978Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)
1979Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
1981Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)
1982Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL)
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star1976, 1977
CFL East All-Star1976, 1977
Awards

Early life

Edwards was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City.[1] He married Elaine June Sheets. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.[2] He was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team running back on the 1972 Little All-America college football team.[3]

Professional career

He began his professional career in the WFL in 1974 with the Birmingham Americans. He rushed for 575 yards on 99 carries and scored 7 TDs, while also catching 11 passes and returning kickoffs. In 1975, he moved to the Shreveport Steamers, where he rushed for only 163 yards on 49 carries and scoring 3 TDs. In the short existence of the WFL Edwards was the 20th all-time leading rusher.

He starred with the Tiger-Cats from 1976 to 1978. He was an all star each season and won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award in 1977 when he led the league in rushing with 1581 yards. This remained a team record until 2004, when Troy Davis broke it. He also rushed for 1046 yards in 1976, with 7 touchdowns, and for 800 yards in 1978. He finished in Hamilton with 3467 yards on 641 carries.

In 1979, he played 14 games with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, where he led the league in kickoff return yardage average (25.1 on 44 returns.) He also returned 33 punts, but caught only one pass and did not rush the ball.[4]

He returned to the CFL briefly, playing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1981 and the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1982.

Death

Jimmy Edwards died on July 3, 2002, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The NewsOK.com website announced his death and subsequent funeral service, which was held on July 10.[5]

References
  1. "Jimmy LaRoy Edwards". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  2. "Jimmy Edwards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  3. "UC Davis QB Is Little All-American". Santa Cruz Sentinel. December 6, 1972. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Jimmy Edwards". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  5. "Services today for Classen standout Edwards". NewsOK.com. Retrieved February 17, 2018.


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