Former Arkansas Unbeaten Star Running Back Jim Lindsey, Also an NFL Veteran, Dies at 81

Jim Lindsey, a running back who helped lead the University of Arkansas to a perfect 11-0 season in 1964, has died at 81 after a lengthy illness, according to WSOC-TV. Lindsey went on to play seven seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings after his college career ended.
Lindsey was a key figure on one of Arkansas' most celebrated teams. His 1964 Razorbacks teammates included future Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, according to KIRO 7.
Lindsey played three seasons at Arkansas from 1963 to 1965. He rushed for 1,177 yards and seven touchdowns during that stretch. He also caught 40 passes for 584 yards and four more scores, according to Action News Jax. That made him one of the most versatile backs on the squad.
The 1964 team remains a landmark in Arkansas football history. Going 11-0 meant the Razorbacks finished the season without a single loss. The roster was loaded with talent that would go on to shape the NFL for decades.
After college, Lindsey joined the Minnesota Vikings and spent seven seasons in the NFL. He made the jump from a celebrated college program to professional football and carved out a long career, according to WPXI. The details of his pro statistics were not immediately available, but his seven-year tenure speaks to his durability.
Lindsey shared a huddle with two men who would become giants in NFL history. Jimmy Johnson later coached the Dallas Cowboys to two Super Bowl titles and earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jerry Jones went on to buy the Cowboys and build them into one of sport's most valuable franchises, according to WHIO.
That one 1964 Arkansas roster produced a Hall of Fame coach, a billionaire team owner, and a long-time NFL running back. It stands as one of the most talent-rich college squads in Razorbacks history.
After football, Lindsey built a second career in real estate and found success off the field. He also entered politics, running for governor of Arkansas. He lost in the primary to incumbent David Pryor and did not advance to the general election, according to Boston 25 News.
Lindsey's life after football showed the kind of drive that defined his playing days. From college stardom to pro football to business and politics, he remained active and ambitious well beyond his time on the field.
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