Jake Scott facts for kids

Jacob E. Scott III (born July 20, 1945 – died November 19, 2020) was an American football star. He played as a safety and punt returner in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins from 1970 to 1978.

Jake was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times in a row. He made 35 interceptions for the Dolphins and 14 for the Redskins. He was also named an All-Pro five times. Jake was even the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Super Bowl VII.

He wore jersey number 13 during his career. This number later became famous in Miami because of Dan Marino. The Dolphins have since retired number 13 to honor Marino.

Jake Scott's College Football Journey

Jake Scott grew up in Athens, Georgia. He played high school football in Arlington, Virginia at Washington-Liberty High School. After high school, he played college football at the University of Georgia.

Jake was a standout player for the Georgia Bulldogs. He led his team in interceptions in 1967 with six. In 1968, he had ten interceptions. This is the second-highest number of interceptions in a single season in Georgia's history. His 175 return yards from interceptions in 1968 are also second all-time for the team.

In 1967, Jake was named first-team All-SEC defensive back. He earned this honor again in 1968. His college career total of 315 interception return yards was a school record for many years. He still holds the Georgia record for career interceptions.

Jake was honored for his college achievements. He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. In 2000, he joined the Athens (GA) Athletic Hall of Fame. On May 17, 2011, it was announced that Jake would be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

After his junior year, Jake left the University of Georgia. He went to Canada to play professional football in the CFL. Before his professional career, Jake had served in the U.S. Marines.

Jake Scott's Professional Football Career

Jake Scott started his professional career in 1969. He played for the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League. He played as a flanker and kick returner. In his one season with the Lions, he played in 11 games. He caught 35 passes for 596 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also had 224 kickoff return yards, which led the team. The BC Lions finished that season with a record of 5 wins and 11 losses.

Joining the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins selected Jake in the 1970 NFL Draft. He was the 159th player chosen overall. In his first year, he made five interceptions. He also returned one punt for a touchdown. The next year, he had seven interceptions. He also gained 318 yards returning punts. He helped the Dolphins reach Super Bowl VI, but they lost to the Dallas Cowboys. Jake had a 21-yard punt return in that game.

Super Bowl Success

Jake was a very important player for the 1972 Miami Dolphins. This team famously went undefeated all season. He was named the Super Bowl MVP of Super Bowl VII. In that game, the Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins 14-7. Jake made two key interceptions, including one in the fourth quarter.

He also helped the Dolphins win Super Bowl VIII. In that game, they beat their opponent 24-7. Jake recovered two fumbles. He also had 20 punt return yards and 47 kickoff return yards. He set two Super Bowl records. Jake was the first player to recover two fumbles in one Super Bowl game. He also set the record for most career fumble recoveries in Super Bowls with two. This record is now shared by 12 other players. Jake is still the only player to recover one of his own team's fumbles and one of his opponent's fumbles in a single Super Bowl.

Career Highlights and Records

Jake finished his nine seasons with 49 interceptions. He made 35 interceptions in his six seasons with Miami. This makes him the Dolphins' all-time leader in interceptions. Jake also recovered 13 fumbles during his career.

On special teams, he gained 1,357 yards and scored one touchdown returning punts. He also had 137 yards on six kickoff returns. Jake played for the Redskins for the last three years of his career.

Even though he was known for his defense, Jake was also a great punt returner. In his rookie season, he returned a punt 77 yards for his only NFL touchdown. He led the NFL in punt return yards in 1971 with 318. He finished in the top ten for punt return yards four times in his NFL career.

In the late 1980s, NFL Films named Jake as the Dolphins All-Time Neutralizer. He was inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2007, the Professional Football Researchers Association added him to their Hall of Very Good Class.

Jake was one of only three living Super Bowl MVPs who did not attend Super Bowl XL. All previous MVPs were honored before that game. However, Jake did attend Super Bowl 50 and was introduced during the pre-game events.

Jake was inducted into the Miami Dolphin Honor Roll on November 18, 2010. He was honored alongside Bill Stanfill.

Career Statistics

Regular season

Jake Scott's Life After Football

Jake Scott was a private person who enjoyed fishing and traveling. He never married. After retiring from football, he lived in the Colorado mountains and the Florida Keys. Later in his life, he lived in Hanalei, a small town on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Jake had some disagreements with his former Miami Dolphins coach, Don Shula. This led to him being traded to the Washington Redskins. For many years after retirement, he did not attend Dolphins alumni events. However, he and Coach Shula later made up. Jake then attended his induction into the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll. He also attended Super Bowl 50. Jake said, "Coach Shula and I had our differences, but time heals all wounds."

Jake Scott passed away on November 19, 2020, at age 75. He was visiting friends in Atlanta, Georgia, when he had an accident.

After his death, Jake was cremated. His ashes were spread in the waters of Hanalei Bay. Items from Jake's personal collection, including his Super Bowl rings, were sold at auction. This was done as he wished.