Jim Benton (American football)
| Position: | Wide receiver | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth: | September 25, 1916 | ||
| Place of birth: | Carthage, Arkansas | ||
| Date of death: | March 28, 2001 (aged 84) | ||
| Place of death: | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | ||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||
| Weight: | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Fordyce (AR) | ||
| College: | Arkansas | ||
| NFL Draft: | 1938 / Round: 2 / Pick: 11 | ||
| Career history | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
|
|||
| Player stats at PFR | |||
| Player stats at NFL.com |
James Warren Benton (September 25, 1916 – March 28, 2001) was a record setting Arkansas, Southwest Conference, NCAA and National Football League pass receiver who was selected for the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team. Benton was the first NFL receiver to gain more than 300 yards in a game, a record that stood for 40 years.
In 1934, he began his college career at Arkansas and set receiving records unheard of at the time. In 1936, Arkansas defeated Texas 6-0 on a Benton touchdown reception and won its first official Southwest Conference championship. In spite of his sophomore year statistics not being included, he finished his career with 83 receptions for 1,303 yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite fewer games and shorter period of sports eligibility compared to today (as well as less emphasis on passing in the era), his receiving statistics stand as the 12th best career total among Razorbacks. His 48 receptions remained a SWC record until 1963 and an Arkansas record until 1971. In spite of playing more than 70 years ago, he still ranks among the career receiving leaders in the history of Arkansas football.
Benton was selected to several All-America teams following the 1937 season when he led the NCAA in receptions. In 1937, he set the NCAA record in pass receiving with 48 catches for 814 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was all SWC in 1936 and 1937. In 1937, he received the Houston Post Award as the outstanding player of the year in the Southwest Conference, was named first team All American by the North American Newspaper Alliance and was a member of the College All Star team. He was selected to the Arkansas All-Century team in 1994.
Benton also lettered in basketball for the Razorbacks in 1937 and 1938, with the team winning the 1938 Southwest Conference title.
...
Wikipedia