J.C. Caroline
Encyclopedia
James C. "J.C." Caroline (born January 17, 1933 in Warrenton, Georgia
) is a former American football
player. Caroline was a collegiate All-American, and played professionally for ten seasons in the National Football League
, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame
.
Caroline played college football
at the University of Illinois
, lettering in 1953 and 1954. A running back
, Caroline led the nation in rushing with 1256 yards in 1953 as a sophomore, and was named All-American. Instead of returning to college his senior year, Caroline chose to play Canadian football for the Montreal Alouettes for one year. Following that year, Caroline earned a physical education degree from Florida A&M University and was drafted by the Chicago Bears.
Beginning in 1956, Caroline had a ten-year professional career with the Chicago Bears
of the NFL. Playing primarily defensive back
, Caroline finished his career with 24 interceptions and six total touchdown
s (two rushing, 1 receiving, 1 fumble
recovery, and two on interceptions). Caroline intercepted Pro Football Hall of Fame
r Johnny Unitas
's first NFL career pass attempt and returned it for a touchdown.
Caroline was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
in 1980.
Caroline was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1956 NFL Draft
with the 82nd overall pick.
After his professional football career, Caroline moved to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and taught PE at Urbana High School.
Warrenton, Georgia
Warrenton is a city in Warren County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,013 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Warren County.-Geography:Warrenton is located at ....
) is a former American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player. Caroline was a collegiate All-American, and played professionally for ten seasons in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
.
Caroline played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, lettering in 1953 and 1954. A running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, Caroline led the nation in rushing with 1256 yards in 1953 as a sophomore, and was named All-American. Instead of returning to college his senior year, Caroline chose to play Canadian football for the Montreal Alouettes for one year. Following that year, Caroline earned a physical education degree from Florida A&M University and was drafted by the Chicago Bears.
Beginning in 1956, Caroline had a ten-year professional career with the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the NFL. Playing primarily defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
, Caroline finished his career with 24 interceptions and six total touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s (two rushing, 1 receiving, 1 fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recovery, and two on interceptions). Caroline intercepted Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
r Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas
John Constantine Unitas , known as Johnny Unitas or "Johnny U", and nicknamed "The Golden Arm", was a professional American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football...
's first NFL career pass attempt and returned it for a touchdown.
Caroline was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 1980.
Caroline was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1956 NFL Draft
1956 NFL Draft
The 1956 National Football League Draft was held on November 29, 1955.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
with the 82nd overall pick.
After his professional football career, Caroline moved to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and taught PE at Urbana High School.