James Solomon "Big Jim" Nance was an American professional football player who was a fullback with the Boston Patriots during their days in the American Football League.
11 Facts About Jim Nance
1.
2.
Jim Nance was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2009.
3.
In 1963 and 1965, Jim Nance was the NCAA wrestling heavyweight National Champion and received All-America honors.
4.
Jim Nance was a 19th round selection of the Boston Patriots in the 1965 AFL Draft, as well as a 4th round selection of the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL Draft.
5.
Jim Nance went on to become the only AFL player ever to rush for more than 1,400 yards in a season.
6.
Jim Nance was an American Football League All-Star in 1966, when he received the league's Most Valuable Player award, and an All-Star again in 1967 when he became the only AFL player to have consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards, this time 1,216.
7.
Jim Nance retired as the Patriots' all-time leader in rushing touchdowns with 45, a record he still holds.
8.
Jim Nance joined the New York Jets the following year.
9.
Jim Nance is the all-time leading rusher in the WFL with 490 carries for 2,007 yards and a 4.1 average.
10.
Jim Nance rushed for 15 touchdowns in his WFL career.
11.
Jim Nance died on June 17,1992, of a heart attack in Quincy, Massachusetts.