Early years
Stiger attended Corcoran High School, before moving on to Bakersfield Junior College, where he helped his team reach the Little Rose Bowl. He transferred to the University of Washington after his sophomore season in 1961. As a junior, he played as a Fullback (American and Canadian football), fullback, registering 582 rushing yards, 4.5-yard average, 33 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. As a senior, he was switched to halfback (American football), halfback behind Junior Coffey, posting as a backup 229 rushing yards, 4.8-yard average, 2 rushing touchdowns, 52 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Stiger was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 19th round (258th overall) of the 1963 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he was the starting Fullback (American and Canadian football), fullback in 3 games, while leading the team in kickoff and punt returns, including a 45-yard punt return (at the time second longest in club history). He finished 10th in the league with 573 combined kickoff and punt return yards. In 1964 NFL season, 1964, he started 8 games at both Fullback (American and Canadian football), fullback and Halfback (American football), halfback. He served mainly as a backup to Amos Marsh, until being waived on November 3, 1965 NFL season, 1965, to make room for punter Colin Ridgway, the first Australian to play in the National Football League.Los Angeles Rams
On November 6, 1965 NFL season, 1965, he was signed by the Los Angeles Rams to help improve the return game. In 1966 NFL season, 1966, he was the fourth leading punt returner in the NFL. He was released on September 17, 1968 NFL season, 1968, after arriving out of shape to training camp.Personal life
On December 12, 1981, he died of a heart attack while playing racquetball.References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stiger, Jim 1941 births 1981 deaths People from Corcoran, California Players of American football from Kings County, California American football running backs Bakersfield Renegades football players Washington Huskies football players Dallas Cowboys players Los Angeles Rams players Sports deaths in California