James Grabowski was born on September 9,1944 and is a former American football player and broadcaster.
14 Facts About Jim Grabowski
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Jim Grabowski played college football at the University of Illinois and professionally in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears.
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Jim Grabowski was an analyst on Illinois football radio broadcasts for nearly 30 years, retiring after the 2006 season.
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Jim Grabowski entered the University of Illinois in 1962, out of Taft High School in Chicago.
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At Illinois, Jim Grabowski was a star running back, and was named Associated Press All-American in both 1964 and 1965.
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Jim Grabowski received many awards and recognitions after his senior season in 1965, including finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting, being named The Sporting News co-player of the year and Back of the Year by the Washington Touchdown Club, and receiving the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player.
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Jim Grabowski finished as the all-time leader in rushing yards in Big Ten history.
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Jim Grabowski was an outstanding student at the University of Illinois, having been named GTE Academic All-American in 1964 and 1965, and graduated with a degree in finance in 1966.
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Jim Grabowski is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, inducted in 1995.
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Jim Grabowski was inducted into the GTE Academic All-American Hall of Fame and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.
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Additionally, Jim Grabowski was named to the University of Illinois "All-Century" team, and is a member of the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.
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Jim Grabowski was selected in the first round of the 1966 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, with the ninth overall selection, held on November 27th, 1965, only a week after his college playing career ended.
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Jim Grabowski was the Packers leading rusher in 1967 with 466 yards, while catching 12 passes for 171, but a late-season injury forced him to miss the postseason, including their win in Super Bowl II.
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Over his six seasons in the NFL, Jim Grabowski rushed for 1,731 yards and scored 12 touchdowns, 8 rushing, 3 receiving, and one after a fumble by Mel Renfro which he returned for an 18-yard score in the 1966 NFL Championship Game versus the Dallas Cowboys.