Jim Parker
Jim Parker, born on April 3, 1934, in East Macon, Georgia, was a celebrated American football player known for his exceptional skills as an offensive lineman. Growing up in a modest Baptist family, Jim showed early promise in sports, eventually earning a football scholarship to Ohio State University, where he became a two-time All-American and won the prestigious Outland Trophy in 1956 as the nation's top interior lineman. Drafted in the first round of the 1957 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, he initially played as a defensive lineman but found his true calling as a left tackle and later as a left guard.
Throughout his 11-season career, Jim was renowned for his outstanding blocking abilities and his critical role in protecting legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas, earning him recognition as one of the best pass blockers in the league. He was selected to the Pro Bowl eight consecutive times and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 as the first "pure" offensive lineman to receive this honor. Beyond his athletic achievements, Parker was known for his humility and dedication to his team, contributing significantly to the Colts’ success during his tenure. After retiring, he remained active in his community and supported various charitable organizations, leaving a lasting legacy both on and off the field before passing away in 2005.
Jim Parker
Football Player
- Born: April 3, 1934
- Birthplace: Macon, Georgia
- Died: July 18, 2005
- Place of death: Columbia, Maryland
Sport: Football
Early Life
Born on April 3, 1934, James Thomas Parker was the son of Charles Parker, a track laborer for the Central of Georgia Railroad. Jim grew up in a poor southern family and was one of six children raised according to the strict principles of the Baptist church. His family attended church regularly—often more than once a week—in the small town of East Macon, Georgia, where they lived.
After his junior year in high school, Jim hitchhiked north looking for a summer job. He found construction work in Detroit, Michigan. At the end of that adventurous summer, he decided to live with his aunt in Toledo, Ohio, where he finished high school. There he began playing football. He quickly became known as a tough, intimidating blocker and tackler.
The Road to Excellence
As a senior at Scott High School, Jim made the all-state team and impressed Woody Hayes, the coach from Ohio State University. Hayes liked Jim’s size and toughness, so he recruited him as an offensive guard for the Buckeyes. Jim did not make the Ohio State starting lineup until he was a sophomore, but once he did, he proved to be the heart of the Buckeyes’ line. At 6 feet 3 inches and 255 pounds, Jim had a remarkable quickness. His reaction time was extraordinary. He had the speed of a halfback and excellent lateral movement. Often he had a block pinned on his opponent before the player realized what had happened. Both on offense and on defense, he made the crucial tackle, fumble recovery, or “clutch” block—whatever it took to make the big play. In 1954, Jim led the Buckeyes to the national championship.
Jim quickly proved to be the best interior lineman in Ohio State’s history. On offense, he played guard, the job of the unsung hero. Jim played both defense and offense, took a beating, and still never got the kind of headlines that come from scoring touchdowns. However, recognition came his way soon enough. In 1955 and 1956, he was chosen for the all-American team. Best of all, he was honored with the Outland Trophy as the nation’s outstanding interior lineman. Jim was always grateful to Coach Hayes for helping him to succeed. In 1956, Jim completed his B.A. in physical education; he was almost sorry to be leaving Ohio State.
The Emerging Champion
Jim had an even greater future waiting for him among the professional ranks. In the first round of the 1957 NFL draft, the Baltimore Colts selected him. Since he was known for his defensive skills at Ohio State, everyone expected that he would be assigned to the defensive unit. From day one, however, Jim played left tackle on offense. He made all-pro from 1958 to 1964, when he was switched to left guard for the remainder of his career.
Switching positions was a big opportunity for Jim. As a guard, he was up against bigger, stronger tacklers. However, playing a new position proved to be more comfortable for Jim, as most of his opponents were generally slower than he was. Jim performed exceedingly well as blocker, on both passing and running plays. As an offensive lineman, Jim spent the rest of his career out of the limelight, clearing the way for others. Jim was a uniquely humble player who took great pride in doing his own job, however inglorious, as well as he could. This one quality drove him to become a superstar for eleven seasons with the Colts.
Usually called on to be the lead blocker as the team neared the goal line, Jim once led teammate Lenny Moore to 15 of his 20 touchdowns during a single season. His special job assignment, though, was to protect quarterback Johnny Unitas, and Jim put his heart into it. He provided Unitas with the kind of superb pass protection that enabled the quarterback to become a legend. Jim knew that his team would fall apart if he allowed Unitas to suffer a broken arm. Eventually, Unitas hailed Jim as the best pass blocker around.
Continuing the Story
Jim gave the game everything he had: perception, strength, agility, and all of his 250 pounds. As a guard, he became a model for linemen in modern-day football because of the way he protected Unitas. Jim was named to the Pro Bowl team eight seasons consecutively. He played key roles on the Colts’ Western Conference championship teams in 1958, 1959, 1964, and 1968.
Late in 1967, Jim injured his knee. When it did not heal, he retired rather than risk holding back his team. His coach hailed the move as typically unselfish. Jim was a friendly, gregarious player who earned the respect and friendship of teammates and opponents alike.
Named to the NFL all-pro team of the 1950’s, Jim was also elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973. He was the first “pure” offensive lineman to receive this honor. Other hall-of-fame linemen had played both offensive and defensive football, whereas Jim was solely an offensive player. Jim was also inducted into the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame.
As Jim approached retirement from professional football, he worked briefly for a distributor. The distributor assisted Jim in setting up his own business, which Jim operated in a Baltimore neighborhood from 1964 until 1999. Jim then retired in the Baltimore area. He was a supporter of charitable organizations such as the Courage Houses for abused children. He died in 2005.
Summary
Big Jim Parker was a two-time all-American at Ohio State and winner of the 1956 Outland Trophy as the nation’s best college lineman. With the Colts, he became a model for the modern-day linemen because of the superb pass protection he gave Johnny Unitas. Jim took such great pride in his position and in helping Unitas become a legend, that he became a superstar in his own right.
Bibliography
Attner, Paul, Sean Stewart, Phil Simms, and Dave Sloan. “Football’s One Hundred Greatest Players: Better than All the Rest.” Sporting News 223, no. 45 (November 8, 1999): 58-64.
Barber, Phil. “NFL: Football’s One Hundred Greatest Players—The Hit Men.” Sporting News 223 (November 1, 1999): 12-16.
Levy, Alan Howard. Tackling Jim Crow: Racial Segregation in Professional Football. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2003.
Park, Jack. The Official Ohio State Football Encyclopedia. Champaign, Ill.: Sports, 2003.