Jim Lindsey, college football and NFL champion running back, dead at 81

Former NCAA and NFL champion running back Jim Lindsey died Sunday.He was 81.Whole Hog sports reported he battled a lengthy illness before his death.Lindsey spent three seasons at Arkansas (1963-65) and helped lead the Razorbacks to a national championship victory in 1964.“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.”Following an illustrious college career that included a Second Team All-Southwest Conference nod, 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.

He ultimately went to Minnesota, where he’d spend his entire eight-year professional career and won an NFL championship in 1969.Lindsey was named special teams captain in 1968, a role he held until he retired.In 84 games with the Vikings, Lindsey rushed 178 times for 566 yards and six touchdowns.

He caught 56 passes for 632 yards and four touchdowns.He also fielded 11 kickoffs for 200 yards.After he retired from football, Lindsey turned to real estate and philanthropy.

Lindsey’s company expanded to own thousands of apartments and over three dozen golf courses across several states.He was inducted to the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2010.Lindsey ran for governor of Arkansas in 1976 but lost in the primary to incumbent David Pryor.Lindsey earned a place in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor in 1987, and teamed up with ex-Razorback teammate and current Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the Jerry Jones/Jim Lindsey Hall of Champions in Arkansas’ Broyles Athletic Complex....