Parker, "Jim" (James T.)
Football
b. April 3, 1934, Macon, GA
d. July 18, 2005
When Ohio State upset Michigan 17-0 in 1955, one sportswriter summed up the game: "Ohio State's bulldozing line, led by 250-pound Jim Parker, overpowered the Wolverines on offense and overwhelmed them on defense." Parker was an All-American guard in 1956, when he won the Outland Trophy as the nation's outstanding collegiate lineman.
Parker joined the NFL's Baltimore Colts in 1957 and became a starter at offensive tackle. He was an All-Pro at the position from 1958 through 1961. Then he moved to guard and was named an All-Pro from 1962 through 1965.
Because of his great pass-blocking ability, Parker was sometimes called "Johnny Unitas's bodyguard," but he was also a strong drive blocker and he was fast and agile enough to be a fine pulling guard on running plays. After not having missed a game in his first 10 seasons, Parker was hampered by injuries in 1967 and he retired after that season. He was the first pure offensive lineman to be elected to the hall of fame.