Jim Lindsey, the former NCAA standout and NFL running back who etched his name in football history, passed away on Sunday at the age of 81.
The sports website Whole Hog Sports confirmed that Lindsey endured a prolonged illness before his death.
During his tenure at Arkansas from 1963 to 1965, Lindsey was instrumental in guiding the Razorbacks to a national championship win in 1964.
The Arkansas Football team took to the platform X to express their grief, stating, “We are saddened by the loss of Arkansas legend Jim Lindsey. He made Arkansas a better place in many ways. His friends and family are in our thoughts.”
Lindsey’s remarkable college career earned him a Second Team All-Southwest Conference honor, leading to his selection in the second round of both the 1966 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and the 1966 AFL Draft by the Buffalo 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.