James Reginald Colvin (November 30, 1937 – August 30, 2019) was a former American football

defensive tackle A defensive tackle (DT) is a position in American football that will typically line up on the line of scrimmage, opposite one of the offensive guards, however he may also line up opposite one of the tackles. Defensive tackles are typically the la ...

in the National Football League (NFL) for the

Baltimore Colts The Baltimore Colts were a professional American football team that played in Baltimore from its founding in 1953 to 1984. The team now plays in Indianapolis, as the Indianapolis Colts. The team was named for Baltimore's history of horse breed ...

, Dallas Cowboys, and

New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. ...

. He played

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

at the University of Houston.

Early years

Colvin attended Lutcher-Stark High School. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Houston. He was a two-way player and received All-MVC honors in 1959.

Professional career

Baltimore Colts

He was selected in the eighth round (95th overall) of the

1960 NFL draft The 1960 National Football League Draft in which NFL teams take turns selecting amateur college American football players and other first-time eligible players, was held at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia on November 30, 1959. Many players, in ...

. As a rookie, he was moved between offensive guard and

. In

1961 Events January * January 3 ** United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that the United States has severed diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba ( Cuba–United States relations are restored in 2015). ** Aero Flight 311 ...

, he was used as a backup

. In

1962 Events January * January 1 – Western Samoa becomes independent from New Zealand. * January 3 – Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro for preaching communism. * January 8 – Harmelen train disaster: 93 die in the wors ...

, he was named the starter at left defensive tackle, replacing a recently retired Art Donovan. On July 11,

1964 Events January * January 1 – The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. * January 5 - In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches since the fifteenth century, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch ...

, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for

Guy Reese Guy Reese (September 22, 1939 – November 22, 2010) was a professional American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Colts (1953–1983), Baltimore Colts and Atlanta Falcons. He played colle ...

Dallas Cowboys

Colvin took over Reese's left defensive tackle starting job, playing alongside Bob Lilly for three years. In

1966 Events January * January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko. * January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...

, he was limited recovering from offseason surgery to repair a ligament injury. At the end of the season, Jethro Pugh was moved from defensive end to left defensive tackle, replacing Colvin in the starting lineup. After notifying the club of his intentions to retire, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, before receiving him back and trading him again on October 11,

1967 Events January * January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair. * January 5 ** Spain and Romania sign an agreement in Paris, establishing full consular and ...

, to the

in exchange for a fourth round draft choice (#97- John Douglas).

Minnesota Vikings

Colvin spent a part of the 1967 preseason with the Minnesota Vikings, who were looking to add depth after

Carl Eller Carl Eller (born January 25, 1942) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and played college football ...

injured his knee, but was returned to the Cowboys after he couldn't play because of an injured knee.

New York Giants

, he played 8 games for the

. On July 22,

1968 The year was highlighted by protests and other unrests that occurred worldwide. Events January–February * January 5 – "Prague Spring": Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. * Januar ...

, he announced his retirement after the Giants did not meet his financial terms.

Personal life

After retiring from football, he owned several car dealerships. He died on August 30, 2019.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Colvin, Jim 1937 births 2019 deaths People from Monahans, Texas Players of American football from Texas American football defensive tackles Houston Cougars football players Baltimore Colts players Dallas Cowboys players New York Giants players