Name Jim Ridlon Positions Safety College: Syracuse | Weight 82 kg Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | |
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Date of birth: (1934-07-11) July 11, 1934 (age 81) NFL draft: 1957 / Round: 4 / Pick: 39 | ||
Jim Ridlon: Football Safety
James Arthur Ridlon (born July 11, 1934) is a former American football safety who played eight seasons in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for Syracuse University.
Contents
- Jim Ridlon Football Safety
- Jim Ridlon Feature
- Early years
- San Francisco 49ers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Artistic career
- Personal life
- References
Jim Ridlon Feature
Early years
Ridlon had to overcome a dyslexia and a stuttering problem throughout his first years of school. He attended Nyack High School, where he received All-County recognition as a quarterback in football and a guard in basketball.
He accepted a scholarship from Syracuse University. He played offensive end as a sophomore. The next year, he was moved to halfback in the same backfield with Jim Brown and registered a school record 3 touchdown receptions in one game.
As a senior in a game against Holy Cross, he scored in three different ways (reception, run and interception). In 1990, he was inducted into the Syracuse University Sports Hall of Fame.
San Francisco 49ers
Ridlon was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round (39th overall) of the 1957 NFL Draft. In his second season, he registered 4 interceptions. He played mostly as a reserve safety until 1962, when he started 6 games and intercepted one pass.
On April 30, 1963, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for linebacker Mike Dowdle, who was a former 49er draft choice.
Dallas Cowboys
Tom Landry traded for him, because he considered Ridlon one of the smartest players in the NFL. He played two years for the Dallas Cowboys, having his best professional season in 1964, when he intercepted 4 passes, returning one for a 74-yard touchdown and also returned a fumble for a 63-yard touchdown. He retired at the end of the year, after receiving All-NFL honors in some publications.
Artistic career
After his football career, he became a sports painter and sculptor. In 1988, he was commissioned to design and sculpt the Outland Trophy, which has become one of college football's most prestigious awards.
Personal life
In 1965, he returned to Syracuse University to teach art classes and double as a backfield coach for the football team. He also wrote a novel and worked as a color commentator on the Syracuse University football radio broadcasts for over 20 years.