Jimmy Tays
 Tays in 1928 | |
| No. 4[1] | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Halfback[1] |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 10, 1899 Iron Mountain, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died: | June 21, 1986 (aged 87) Champaign, Illinois, U.S. |
| Height: | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight: | 174 lb (79 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Tolono (IL) |
| College: | Penn State, Chicago |
| Career history | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
James Elmer Tays (March 10, 1899 – June 21, 1986) was an American professional football halfback who played three seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Cardinals, Dayton Triangles, Newark Tornadoes, and Staten Island Stapletons. He played college football at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Chicago. He was a member of the Cardinals team that were NFL champions in 1925.
Early life and college
[edit]James Elmer Tays was born on March 10, 1899, in Iron Mountain, Michigan.[1] His grandfather, Christopher Tays, was born as a slave in Virginia circa 1829 and later served in the 65th U.S. Colored Troops Regiment during the Civil War.[2]
Tays played high school football at Tolono High School in Tolono, Illinois.[2] He played college football at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Chicago.[2][3]
Professional football career
[edit]Tays played in nine games, starting two, for the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) in 1925 and scored one fumble recovery touchdown.[3] The Cardinals finished the season with an 11–2–1 record and were named NFL champions.[4] He was listed as a halfback during his stint with the Cardinals.[1]
Tays appeared in two games, starting one, for the Chicago Bulls of the American Football League in 1926.[1]
He played in seven games, all starts, for the NFL's Dayton Triangles in 1927.[3] The Triangles went 1–6–1 that year.[5]
Tays was a player-coach for the Cincinnati National Guards from 1928 to 1929.[6][7]
Tays played one game for the Newark Tornadoes of the NFL in 1930 before being released.[3][8]
He then played in three games, starting one, for the Staten Island Stapletons of the NFL in 1930.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Tays also spent time as a baseball player in the Chicago White Sox organization.[2] He later become a farmer in Fisher, Illinois.[2] He was a state fair superintendent in the 1950s.[2]
Tays died on June 21, 1986, in Champaign, Illinois.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Jimmy Tays". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Webber, Kasey (August 25, 2020). "Jimmy Tays". Menominee Range Historical Museums. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Jimmy Tays". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ^ "1925 Chicago Cardinals Rosters, Stats, Schedule". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ^ "1927 Dayton Triangles (NFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ^ "Durham Will Lead Guards". The Kentucky Post. September 25, 1928. p. 10. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ^ "No Cripples On Soldier Team". The Cincinnati Post. November 23, 1929. p. 10. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- ^ "Jimmy Tays NFL Transactions". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
- 1899 births
- 1986 deaths
- Players of American football from Chicago
- American football halfbacks
- Penn State Nittany Lions football players
- Chicago Maroons football players
- Chicago Cardinals players
- Chicago Bulls (American football) players
- Dayton Triangles players
- Staten Island Stapletons players
- Newark Tornadoes players
- Player-coaches
- North American people of African-American descent
- Baseball players from Michigan