Jimmy Edwards (football player)
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Edwards was a star running back
for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
of the Canadian Football League
.
Edwards attended Oklahoma University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe
.
He began his pro career in the WFL in 1974, with the Birmingham Americans
. He rushed for 575 yatds on 99 carries and scored 7 TDs, while also catching 11 passes and returning kickoffs. In 1975 he moved to the Shreveport Steamers, where he rushed for only 163 yards on 49 carries and scoring 3 TDs. In the short existence of the WFL Edwards was the 20th all-time leading rusher.
He starred with the Tiger-Cats from 1976 to 1978. He was an all star each season and won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
in 1977 when he led the league in rushing with 1581 yards. This remained a team record until 2004, when Troy Davis broke it. He also rushed for 1046 yards in 1976, with 7 touchdowns, and for 800 yards in 1978. He finished in Hamilton with 3467 yards on 641 carries.
In 1979 he played 14 games with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings
, where he led the league in kickoff return yardage average (25.1 on 44 returns.) He also returned 33 punts, but caught only one pass and did not rush the ball
He returned to the CFL briefly, playing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
in 1981 and the Saskatchewan Roughriders
in 1982.
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...
for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the Hamilton Wildcats. The Tiger-Cats play their home games at Ivor Wynne Stadium...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
.
Edwards attended Oklahoma University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a coeducational public university in Monroe, Louisiana and part of the University of Louisiana System.-History:...
.
He began his pro career in the WFL in 1974, with the Birmingham Americans
Birmingham Americans
The Birmingham Americans were a professional American football team located in Birmingham, Alabama. They were members of the four-team Central Division of the World Football League . The Americans, founded in late December 1973, played in the upstart league's inaugural season in 1974...
. He rushed for 575 yatds on 99 carries and scored 7 TDs, while also catching 11 passes and returning kickoffs. In 1975 he moved to the Shreveport Steamers, where he rushed for only 163 yards on 49 carries and scoring 3 TDs. In the short existence of the WFL Edwards was the 20th all-time leading rusher.
He starred with the Tiger-Cats from 1976 to 1978. He was an all star each season and won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
The Most Outstanding Player Award is annually awarded to the best player in the Canadian Football League. The Most Outstanding Player award can be compared to the National Football League's Most Valuable Player, otherwise known as the "MVP" award...
in 1977 when he led the league in rushing with 1581 yards. This remained a team record until 2004, when Troy Davis broke it. He also rushed for 1046 yards in 1976, with 7 touchdowns, and for 800 yards in 1978. He finished in Hamilton with 3467 yards on 641 carries.
In 1979 he played 14 games with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, where he led the league in kickoff return yardage average (25.1 on 44 returns.) He also returned 33 punts, but caught only one pass and did not rush the ball
He returned to the CFL briefly, playing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
in 1981 and the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
in 1982.