Eskimo legend Jackie Parker passes away
Published on November 7, 2006 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Edmonton Elks News Release
Edmonton Eskimo legend, Jackie Parker, passed away early this morning at an Edmonton hospital. Eskimo CEO Hugh Campbell says, "The city has lost a great citizen. The Eskimo family mourns the loss of Jack and our thoughts are with Jack's immediate family."
Jackie Parker's football career started at Mississippi State where he played quarterback and halfback and was named to the All-Conference and College Football All-America Teams. He scored 120 points in 1953 to become the leading scorer in U.S. college football.
The Fast Freight from Mississippi State or Ole Spaghetti Legs joined the Eskimos in 1954 and became a football legend over the next 13 years. He starred on both sides of the ball as a quarterback, halfback and defensive back for the Edmonton Eskimos from 1954 to 1962, the Toronto Argonauts from 1963 to 1965 and the B.C. Lions from 1966 to 1968. He played on three Grey Cup winners with Edmonton, won the Schenley as the CFL's top player three times and was an All-Star for eight straight years. He passed for 16,476 yards and scored 88 touchdowns, kicked 103 converts, 40 field goals and 19 singles for 750 points. His dramatic 84- yard fumble return touchdown run in the 1954 Grey Cup remains one of pro sports most memorable plays.
Parker began his coaching career with the B.C. Lions in 1968 as an assistant and was named Head Coach in 1969. He become GM in 1971 and held that position until 1975. Jack returned to Edmonton, where he began working as an executive with the Interprovincial Steel & Pipe Corporation and as a color commentator on the Edmonton Eskimo broadcasts. He was later named head coach of the Eskimos on September 1, 1983 where he remained until his resignation two games into the 1987 season.
Jackie Parker was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on January 1, 1932. He is a member of the CFL Hall of Fame, the Edmonton Eskimo Wall of Honour and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
Jackie Parker's Awards and Honours:
Grey Cup Victories - 1954, 1955, 1956
Schenley for CFL's Most Outstanding Player - 1957, 1958, 1960
CFL All-Star - 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961
Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy (West Division's Most Outstanding Player) - 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961
Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy (Top Scorer in West Division) - 1959, 1961
CFL Hall of Fame - 1971
Edmonton Eskimo Wall of Honour - 1983
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame - 1987
Mississippi State University Hall of Fame - 1972
Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame - 1972
College Football Hall of Fame - 1976
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