Jim Price (linebacker)

James Bluford Price (born September 17, 1940) is a former professional American football linebacker in the American Football League. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 3rd round (34th overall) of the 1963 NFL Draft. He played for the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos.

Early years

Price attended Ysleta High School before moving on to Auburn, where he was a three-year starter at center and linebacker.

As a sophomore he was named the starter replacing graduated All-American Jackie Burkett, but suffered a dislocated right shoulder and missed 3 games, until returning to play against Georgia Tech.^[1] In 1962, he was named third-team All-SEC as a center.^[2]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Price was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 3rd round (34th overall) of the 1963 NFL Draft and by the New York Jets in the 6th round (43rd overall) of the 1963 AFL Draft.

He signed with the Cowboys, but his play during training camp was disappointing and was released before the season started.^[3]

New York Jets

Price signed as a free agent with the New York Jets (at the time the New York Titans) and became a starter in the 1963 season. On January 1, 1964, he was part of the largest trade ever made in the American Football League, when he was sent along with Dick Guesman, Ed Cooke, Charlie Janerette and Sid Fournet, to the Denver Broncos, in exchange for Gene Prebola, Wahoo McDaniel, Gordy Holz and Bob Zeman.^[4]

Denver Broncos

In the 1964 season, the Denver Broncos played him as a linebacker and offensive lineman.^[5]

References