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Jim Grabowski
Jim Grabowski
Jim Grabowski
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James Grabowski (born September 9, 1944) is an American former professional football player and broadcaster. He played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Green Bay Packers.

Key Information

Grabowski played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, earning consensus All-American honors in 1965. He was selected in the first round of the 1966 NFL draft with the ninth overall pick. Grabowski played in the NFL for Green Bay and the Chicago Bears, winning two Super Bowls with the Packers. He was an analyst on Illinois football radio broadcasts for nearly 30 years, retiring after the 2006 season.

Collegiate playing career

[edit]

Grabowski entered the University of Illinois in 1962, out of Taft High School in Chicago. At Illinois, Grabowski was a star running back, and was named Associated Press All-American in both 1964 and 1965. As a sophomore in 1963, Grabowski was named Most Valuable Player of the Rose Bowl, after leading the Fighting Illini to a 17–7 comeback victory over the Washington Huskies.[1] Grabowski received many awards and recognitions after his senior season in 1965, including finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting, being named The Sporting News co-player of the year and Back of the Year by the Washington Touchdown Club, and receiving the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player. He finished as the all-time leader in rushing yards in Big Ten history. Grabowski was also an outstanding student at the University of Illinois, having been named GTE Academic All-American in 1964 and 1965, and graduated with a degree in finance in 1966.

Grabowski is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, inducted in 1995. He was also inducted into the GTE Academic All-American Hall of Fame and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. Additionally, Grabowski was named to the University of Illinois "All-Century" team, and is a member of the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.

  • 1963: 141 carries for 616 yards and 7 TD. 3 catches for 21 yards.[2]
  • 1964: 186 carries for 1004 yards and 10 TD. 9 catches for 101 yards.
  • 1965: 252 carries for 1258 yards and 7 TD. 3 catches for 22 yards.

Professional playing career

[edit]

Grabowski was selected in the first round of the 1966 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, with the ninth overall selection, held on November 27, 1965, only a week after his college playing career ended. (Grabowski was also taken as the first overall pick in the AFL draft, by the expansion Miami Dolphins.)[3] Grabowski played five seasons for the Packers, and was known as one of Green Bay's "Gold Dust Twins" (along with fellow rookie running back Donny Anderson) in the late Sixties.[4][5]

After he gained the starting position in 1967, a series of injuries hampered his career. He was the Packers' leading rusher in 1967 with 466 yards, while also catching 12 passes for 171 more, but a late-season injury forced him to miss the postseason, including their win in Super Bowl II. With a new head coach in 1971, Grabowski was waived by Green Bay in August,[6][7] picked up by the Chicago Bears for the season, and retired in training camp in September 1972.[8] Over his six seasons in the NFL, Grabowski rushed for 1,731 yards and scored 12 touchdowns: eight rushing, three receiving, and one after a fumble by Mel Renfro, which he returned for an 18-yard score in the 1966 NFL Championship Game versus the Dallas Cowboys.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jim Grabowski

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
James Steven Grabowski (born September 9, 1944) is an American former professional football player and broadcaster who achieved prominence as a in college and the (). At the University of , he set the Big Ten Conference's all-time rushing record with 2,878 yards and earned consensus honors in 1965, while also excelling academically as a two-time selection. Drafted in the first round by the in 1966, Grabowski played six seasons, primarily with the Packers and , amassing 1,731 rushing yards and contributing to two victories before transitioning to a 26-year career as a radio analyst for football games. Grabowski's college career at from 1963 to 1965 was marked by exceptional performance as a fullback, where he rushed for 2,878 yards over three seasons, establishing himself as the conference's all-time leading rusher at the time of his graduation. In 1965, his senior year, he led the nation with 1,258 rushing yards and 7 , earning the Silver Football as the Big Ten's most valuable player and finishing third in voting. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 1964 and 1965, and a second-team pick in 1963, while maintaining a strong academic record as a major, securing first-team Academic All-Big Ten honors in 1964 and 1965 and two-time Academic status. A highlight was his performance in the 1964 Rose Bowl, where he rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown to earn MVP honors in Illinois's 17–7 victory over Washington. In the , Grabowski was selected ninth overall in the 1966 draft by the , where he played from 1966 to 1970, appearing in 63 games and contributing to the team's championship runs, including victories in (1967) and (1968). He recorded 1,582 rushing yards and eight touchdowns with the Packers, along with 65 receptions for 575 yards and three scores, showcasing his versatility as a blocker and receiver in Vince Lombardi's offense. Waived by the Packers and signed by the in 1971 for his final season, he added 149 rushing yards and 17 receptions for 100 yards, though injuries limited his play. Over his 75-game NFL career, Grabowski totaled 1,731 rushing yards on 475 attempts with eight touchdowns, 82 receptions for 675 yards and three scores, and 2,406 scrimmage yards, retiring at age 27 after the 1971 season. Following his playing days, Grabowski worked in and before joining the University of radio broadcast team as an analyst in 1982, serving for 26 seasons until his retirement in 2007 and providing insightful commentary on Illini football. He has been honored with inductions into the (1995), Rose Bowl Hall of Fame (1997), GTE/CoSIDA Academic Hall of Fame (1993), University of Athletics Hall of Fame (2018), and National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his dual legacy in athletics and academics. Grabowski, who resides in , with his wife Kathleen, continues to enjoy in retirement.

Early life

Childhood and family

James Grabowski was born on September 9, 1944, in , . He grew up on the northwest side of in a working-class family, where his father worked as a and labored long hours, including Saturdays, to provide for the household. This demanding schedule often prevented his father from attending Grabowski's early football games. Grabowski's blue-collar roots in 's Polish-American community shaped his grounded perspective, fostering a strong that carried into his athletic pursuits.

High school career

Jim Grabowski attended Taft High School in , , where he played football as a fullback and linebacker. Known for his powerful running style, he stood out during his high school career. Grabowski's standout performances at Taft made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the Midwest, drawing interest from every major program in the region. This led to his commitment to the University of in 1962.

Collegiate career

University of Illinois

Jim Grabowski played as a fullback for the University of from 1963 to 1965, after freshmen were ineligible to play varsity in 1962. Over these three seasons, he helped lead the Fighting Illini to a 21–8–1 record, establishing himself as one of the conference's premier rushers. In his junior year of 1964, Grabowski rushed for 1,004 yards, ranking second nationally, and earned first-team honors from the . He had standout performances, including 239 rushing yards against and 125 yards in the 1964 Rose Bowl, where he was named MVP as Illinois defeated Washington 17-7. Grabowski's senior season in 1965 was his most dominant, as he set Big Ten single-season records with 252 rushing attempts and 1,258 yards—ranking second nationally—and scored seven touchdowns, for a career total of 24. He repeated as an Associated Press All-American, this time unanimously, and was named Big Ten MVP via the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award, which he described as "really special." Additional honors included co-Player of the Year by The Sporting News (shared with Donny Anderson) and Back of the Year by the Washington Touchdown Club. He finished third in Heisman Trophy voting and served as team co-captain. By the end of his Illini career, Grabowski had amassed 2,878 rushing yards, making him the Big Ten's all-time leading rusher at the time. He also earned Academic recognition in both 1964 and 1965, highlighting his excellence on and off the field.

Key achievements

In his sophomore season in 1963, Grabowski rushed for 616 yards on 141 carries with 7 touchdowns, including 125 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in the Rose Bowl to earn MVP honors in Illinois's 17–7 victory over Washington. During his junior season in 1964, he amassed 1,004 rushing yards on 186 attempts with 10 touchdowns, ranking second nationally in rushing and earning first-team All-America recognition from the Associated Press, as well as Academic All-America honors. In 1965, Grabowski's senior year, he rushed for 1,258 yards on 252 carries—setting Big Ten single-season records for attempts and yards—while scoring seven touchdowns and finishing second nationally in rushing for the second straight season. These performances earned him unanimous status, the Silver Football as Big Ten , co-Player of the Year honors from , the Washington Touchdown Club Back of the Year Award, and third place in voting. Over his three varsity seasons from 1963 to 1965, Grabowski totaled 2,878 rushing yards on 579 carries with 24 touchdowns, breaking every major rushing record and establishing himself as the Big Ten's all-time leading rusher at the time of his graduation. He also excelled academically, earning first-team Academic All-Big Ten honors in both 1964 and 1965, Academic All-America selection those same years, and the Golden Helmet Award for combining football ability, scholarship, and leadership. Under his contributions, Illinois compiled a 21–8–1 record during this period.

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

Grabowski was selected by the with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 1966 NFL Draft, signing a three-year contract worth $250,000 despite an accidental signing during the draft process. As a fullback in , he served primarily as a backup to veteran Jim Taylor, appearing in all 14 regular-season games with limited carries totaling 29 rushes for 127 yards and one , while also catching four passes for 13 yards. In the playoffs, Grabowski contributed to the Packers' first victory by recovering a and returning it 18 yards for a during their 34–14 win over the in . Entering 1967 as the presumptive starter following Taylor's departure to the expansion , Grabowski emerged as the Packers' leading rusher with 120 carries for 466 yards and two touchdowns over nine games before suffering a severe injury—a torn ligament—that sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season and limited his postseason role. Despite the injury, he appeared in the (the "Ice Bowl") against the but recorded no statistics in the Packers' 21–17 victory, nor in , where Green Bay defeated the 33–14 to secure back-to-back titles. His most productive regular-season performance that year came on , when he rushed for a career-high 123 yards in a 48–21 win over the . The knee injury continued to impact Grabowski's effectiveness in subsequent seasons. In 1968, he led the team in rushing again with 135 carries for 518 yards and three touchdowns, adding 18 receptions for 210 yards and another score, though the Packers finished 8–5–1 and missed the . His production declined in 1969 (73 rushes for 261 yards, one touchdown; 12 receptions for 98 yards, one touchdown) and (67 rushes for 210 yards, one touchdown; 19 receptions for 83 yards), as he battled ongoing knee issues in a reduced role behind and others. Over his five seasons with Green Bay, Grabowski appeared in 63 games, accumulating 424 rushing attempts for 1,582 yards (3.7 average) and eight touchdowns, plus 65 receptions for 575 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
YearGamesRush AttRush YdsRush AvgRush TDRecRec YdsRec TD
196614291274.414130
196791204663.92121711
1968141355183.83182101
196914732613.6112981
197012672103.1119830
Total634241,5823.78655753
Grabowski's tenure ended after the 1970 season when the Packers released him due to his persistent knee problems, paving the way for his move to the .

Chicago Bears

Grabowski joined the in August 1971 after being waived by the under new head coach , providing the native an opportunity to finish his career with his hometown team under owner . As a fullback, Grabowski appeared in 12 games during the 1971 season, starting nine, and served as part of a backfield rotation that included runners like Cyril Pinder and . His performance was impacted by lingering effects from a right knee injury sustained in 1967 with the Packers, along with subsequent surgeries in 1968 and 1970, which limited his explosiveness and led to descriptions of him as a "one-legged ." He recorded 51 rushing attempts for 149 yards (averaging 2.9 yards per carry) and added 17 receptions for 100 yards, contributing to short-yardage situations and pass protection without scoring a . A highlight came in the preseason opener on August 28, 1971, when Grabowski broke a 47-yard touchdown run against the at , powering the Bears to a narrow 20-19 victory before 43,568 fans. The Bears concluded the regular season with a 6-8 record, placing third in the NFC Central Division, after which Grabowski retired from professional football.

Post-playing career

Broadcasting role

Following his NFL retirement in 1971, Grabowski worked in manufacturing and before joining the University of Illinois Fighting Illini football radio broadcasts as a color analyst in the early . He provided game analysis alongside play-by-play announcers, drawing on his experience as a former Illini star to offer insights into strategy and player performance. Grabowski served in this role for 26 seasons, contributing to the network's coverage of home and away games. His tenure made him a familiar voice to Illini fans, spanning from the early 1980s through the 2006 season. He retired from the broadcast booth in 2007, citing a desire to spend more time golfing.

Retirement and later activities

After retiring from his role as a radio analyst for University of Illinois football broadcasts following the 2006 season, Grabowski settled into a quieter life in , a suburb northwest of , where he has resided with his wife, Kathleen, since at least 2014. In his later years, Grabowski has focused on leisure activities that keep him active and connected to his interests. At age 79 in 2024, he regularly plays , takes long walks with his wife along the winding roads of , and enjoys watching games, as well as contests involving his former teams, the and . He also spends time with his grandchildren, occasionally attending their events. Grabowski has reflected fondly on his football career in interviews, emphasizing the camaraderie with teammates and coaches over individual accolades, though he takes pride in achievements like his national rushing title in and the Chicago Tribune Silver Football . No further professional engagements or public roles have been reported in recent years.

Awards and honors

Collegiate honors

During his season in , Grabowski earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after helping lead the Illinois Fighting Illini to a Rose Bowl victory, where he rushed for 125 yards and was named the game's . As a junior in , he received first-team All-Big Ten recognition, first-team honors from multiple selectors, and Academic All-America distinction for his performance on the field and in the classroom. Grabowski's senior year in 1965 marked his most acclaimed season, culminating in consensus first-team honors, unanimous All-America selection by major outlets, and first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive year. He was also named Big Ten , winning the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award, and finished third in voting after rushing for 1,258 yards. Additional accolades that year included co-Player of the Year honors from (shared with ), Player of the Year by the Washington Touchdown Club, and a second Academic selection. Following his playing career, Grabowski received the Big Ten in 1966 for his academic and athletic excellence as a senior.

Professional and other honors

Grabowski earned two championships as a member of the , following the 1966 and 1967 seasons. The Packers secured the 1966 title with a 34–27 victory over the in the Championship Game on December 31, 1966, followed by a 35–10 win against the [Kansas City Chiefs](/page/Kansas_City Chiefs) in on January 15, 1967. In 1967, they clinched the league crown by defeating the 28–7 on December 23, 1967, before triumphing 33–14 over the in on January 14, 1968. Beyond his on-field contributions, Grabowski was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, recognizing his achievements as a professional athlete of Polish descent. He was also inducted into the GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame in 1993, the in 1995, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1997, and the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2015, the honored him as a featured alumnus during a game against the Minnesota Vikings, highlighting his legacy with the franchise.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrabJi00.htm
  2. https://fightingillini.com/honors/hall-of-fame/jim-grabowski/32
  3. https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/afl-vs-nfl-the-battle-for-jim-grabowski-50-years-later/
  4. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jim-grabowski-1.html
  5. https://rosebowlgame.com/honors/rose-bowl-hall-of-fame/jim-grabowski/60
  6. https://academicallamerica.com/hof.aspx?hof=115
  7. https://fightingillini.com/news/2014/7/18/Where_Are_They_Now_Jim_Grabowski
  8. https://www.nfl.com/players/jim-grabowski/
  9. https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1910
  10. https://www.polishsportshof.com/portfolio_page/jim-grabowski/
  11. https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/jim-grabowski-1995/
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1182081/2019/09/04/chicago-is-still-full-of-grabowskis-but-only-one-roots-for-the-bears-and-the-packers/
  13. http://www.helmethut.com/College/Illinios/UI6570.html
  14. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/08/11/silver-football-jim-grabowski/
  15. https://fightingillini.com/sports/2016/8/9/football-year-by-year-records.aspx
  16. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GrabJi00/gamelog/post/
  17. https://www.packers.com/news/anderson-grabowski-thrilled-to-be-part-of-a-powerhouse-15464662
  18. https://www.footballdb.com/players/jim-grabowski-graboji01
  19. https://www.nytimes.com/1971/08/29/archives/bears-defeat-browns-2019-before-43568-fans-at-notre-dame-stadium.html
  20. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/chi/1971.htm
  21. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1965-rushing.html
  22. https://www.packers.com/news/anderson-and-grabowski-to-be-featured-alumni-this-week-16617747
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