Jim Opperman
| No. 54 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born | December 18, 1953 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | March 18, 2026 (aged 72) Aurora, Colorado, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Lakewood |
| College | Colorado State |
| NFL draft | 1975: undrafted |
| Career history | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
James Jay Opperman (December 18, 1953 – March 18, 2026) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) in 1975. He played college football for the Colorado State Rams.[1][2]
Biography
Opperman played 10 games for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1975 season, only making a single kick-off return for 15 yards.[3] He debuted on Sunday September 21 against the New York Giants at home and played his last game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday November 23, 1975 at home.[4] He was dropped from the playing squad in November.
Starting in 1978 until his death, he coached wrestling for Smoky Hill High School.[5] Opperman died in Aurora, Colorado on March 18, 2026, at the age of 72.[6] His death was publicly announced on the Smoky Hill Wrestling Instagram page one week later.[7]
References
- ↑ "Jim Opperman Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ↑ "Jim Opperman, LB". Nfl.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ↑ "1975 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
- ↑ "Jim Opperman Game Log".
- ↑ "Knights - Coaches".
- ↑ "James Opperman". The Denver Post. April 2, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved April 25, 2026.