Jim Rountree facts for kids
| Date of birth: | April 24, 1936 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth: | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Date of death: | October 1, 2013 (aged 77) |
| Place of death: | Tamarac, Florida, U.S. |
|
Career information
|
|
| CFL status: | Import |
| Position(s): | DB/WR |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight: | 187 lb (85 kg) |
| College: | Florida |
| NFL Draft: | 1958 / Round: 25 / Pick: 298 |
| Drafted by: | Baltimore Colts |
|
Organizations
|
|
|
Career highlights and awards
|
|
|
|
| CFL All-Star: | 1962 |
| CFL East All-Star: | 1959–1964, 1967 |
James W. Rountree (born April 24, 1936 – died October 1, 2013) was an American football player. He played both in college and professionally. Jim was a defensive back in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for ten years during the 1950s and 1960s.
Rountree played college football for the University of Florida. After college, he joined the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL.
Playing College Football
Rountree went to the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He played for the Florida Gators football team. His coach was Bob Woodruff. Jim played from 1955 to 1957.
In 1955, Rountree made a memorable play. He had an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. This helped the Gators win against the Georgia Bulldogs.
In 1957, he was chosen for the first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC). He also received the Gators' Fergie Ferguson Award. This award goes to a senior player. It recognizes great leadership, character, and courage. Coach Woodruff thought Rountree was one of the best defensive backs and running backs of the 1950s.
In 1971, Rountree was honored as a "Gator Great." He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Career
The Baltimore Colts picked Rountree in the 1958 NFL Draft. But he decided to play in the CFL instead. He played for the Toronto Argonauts from 1958 to 1967. He played as a defensive back and a wide receiver.
In 1962, he was named a CFL All-Star. In his first year, he played both defense and offense. He ran for 200 yards. During his ten years in the CFL, Rountree caught 41 interceptions. He returned these interceptions for 464 yards. He even scored one touchdown from an interception return.
After playing, he became an assistant coach. He coached for the Argonauts and the Memphis Southmen. The Southmen were part of the World Football League (WFL).
When he passed away in 2013, Rountree still held some Argonauts team records. He had the longest pass reception (108 yards in 1961). He also had the most interceptions (10) in a single season (1960). In 2004, he was named an All-Time Argo. In 2007, he was chosen as a starting cornerback for the All-Time Argos team.
Life After Football
After retiring from football, Jim Rountree started a successful business. He built an insurance agency in South Florida.
He passed away from cancer on October 1, 2013. He was 77 years old. He lived in Tamarac, Florida. He was survived by his wife, Nan, their two children, and three grandchildren.
See also
- Florida Gators football, 1950–59
- List of University of Florida alumni
- List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members
