Crazy Canton Cuts = Jimmy Patton

Jimmy Patton
5'11" 183
Safety
New York Giants
1955 - 1966
12 Seasons
153 Games Played
52 Interceptions
712 Yards
15 Fumbles Recovered
4 Touchdowns
5 Pro Bowls




James Russell Patton Jr. was an eight round draft pick of the New York Giants in the 1955 draft. He was the 92nd player picked overall. Jimmy was a star at the University of Mississippi. He played both safety and running back for the Rebels. His 10 career interceptions still rank sixth best in Ole Miss history. In 1953, he took an interception 62 yards for a touchdown. He was named the co-captain of the 1954 SEC Championship team. He ended up playing in 2 Sugar Bowls for the Rebels. When he graduated, Jimmy also had 347 yards rushing for 2 touchdowns, and 9 receptions for 2 TD's. Jimmy Patton is a member of the Ole Miss Athletic of Fame, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, the Ole Miss Team of the Century from 1892 to 1992, and the Athlon Sports All-Time Rebel Team from 1893 to 1995.



Patton joined a Giants secondary that boasted two Hall of Fame members in their secondary, Emlen Tunnell and Tom Landry. Dick Nolan, future NFL Head Coach and father of current 49er Head Coach Mike, also played in the secondary. Jimmy backed up Herb Rich, but still managed an interception. He also returned 3 punts for 69 yards. He took 1 return 69 yards for a touchdown. Patton returned 5 kickoffs as well, returning one 98 yards for a score. In 1956, Rich was hurt in the 5th game, and Patton stepped in for the rest of the season. Patton picked off a pass and recovered 2 fumbles that year, as the Giants went on to beat the Chicago Bears 47 - 7 in the 1956 NFL Championship Game. Now the full time starter, Patton swiped 3 balls in 1957, returning one 50 yards for a touchdown. He had the best year of his career in 1958, when he led the NFL with 11 interceptions. He also gained a career high 183 yards. Jimmy was named to his first All Pro team that year, and would achieve this honor every year until 1962. The Giants would get to the NFL Championship Game in 1958 and 1959, but lost both games. He had 5 interceptions in 1959, then 6 in 1960. In 1961, Patton scored the last touchdown of his career when he had 8 interceptions for 163 yards. Jimmy followed that up the next season with 7 picks for 125 yards. In 1963, he had 6 interceptions. Patton picked off 4 passes over the next three years, then retired after the 1966 season.



Jimmy Patton had at least one interception in every season that he played in the NFL. He was the one constant on an ever changing Giants secondary over his career. He ended up with 735 yards on 28 kickoff returns, and 143 yards on 37 punt returns as well. His 52 interceptions rank 2nd All Time in Giants history behind Tunnell's 74. Patton's 712 interception return yardage also ranks second All Time in Giants history behind Tunnell's 1,240. On most NFL teams, Jimmy would easily be the best safety in their franchises history. Though he was fortunate to play until 1958 with Tunnell, who still ranks second in NFL history for most interceptions in a career, perhaps Patton has been overshadowed some by Tunnell's greatness? There were also other Hall of Famers like Andy Robustelli and Sam Huff on the Giants defense. Still, one cannot deny Jimmy Patton's accomplishments on the gridiron. Jimmy died in 1973, when he crashed his car on his way to see his sick sister. I find it confounding that Jimmy Patton has not yet been inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. As time goes on, due to the newer voters who weren't even alive when he played, his chances may fade more. It is a shame, because Jimmy Patton is certainly worthy of induction into Canton.





Notable Players Drafted In 1955  (* Denote Hall Of Famer)

3. Alan Ameche, FB, Baltimore Colts
6. Frank Varrichione, OT, Pittsburgh
9. Dick Bielski, WR, Philadelphia
10. Dicky Moegle, DB, San Francisco
14. Lindon Crow, DB, Chicago Cardinals
15. Roy Waller, RB, LA Rams
16. Dick Szymanski, C, Baltimore
22. Buck Lansford, G, Philadelphia
31. Rosey Grier, DT, NY Giants
36. Darris McCord, DE, Detroit
45. Matt Hazeltine, LB, San Francisco
88. Dale Meinert, LB, Baltimore
102. Johnny Unitas, QB, Pittsburgh *
179. J.D. Smith, FB, Chicago Bears
220. Bob Dee, DE, Washington
258. Richie McCabe, DB, Pittsburgh
347. Dick Klein, DT, Chicago Bears