J. R. Boone Explained

J.R. Boone
Number:55, 24, 22, 43
Position:Halfback,
Return specialist
Birth Date:29 July 1925
Birth Place:Clinton, Oklahoma, U.S.
Death Place:Selma, California, U.S.
Draftyear:1948
Draftround:22
Draftpick:203
College:Tulsa
Pastteams:
Pastcoaching:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:63
Statlabel2:Starts
Statvalue2:12
Statlabel3:Carries
Statvalue3:130
Statlabel4:Yards Rushing
Statvalue4:479 (3.8 average)
Statlabel5:Receptions
Statvalue5:69
Statlabel6:Yards receiving
Statvalue6:1,251 (18.1 average)
Statlabel7:Touchdowns
Statvalue7:12

J. R. "Junior" Boone (July 29, 1925 – January 21, 2012) was an American football player and coach. He played professionally as a halfback and punt returner for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, and Green Bay Packers. Boone was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 22nd round of the 1948 NFL draft.

After his playing days were over, Boone served as the head football coach at Reedley College and Fresno State University, both located in California.

Biography

J.R. Boone was born in Clinton, Oklahoma on July 29, 1925. The initials of his name stand for nothing.[1]

He was a star athlete at the University of Tulsa, earned nine letters and graduating with a degree in physical education and social science. A captain of the Tulsa football team, Boone was also a star athlete in basketball, track, baseball. He was a versatile athlete, he played football as a back, safety, and punt and kick returner. He was also drafted by the New York Yankees baseball organization.

Boone was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1952, and then to the Green Bay Packers in 1953. His six-year pro career statistics included 497 rushing yards in 130 carries and five touchdowns in 63 games. He also caught 69 passes for 1,251 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 18.1 yards per catch), and returned seventy-two punt returns for 725 yards (10.1 average).

In 1972, Boone was inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame.[2] He died in his sleep on January 21, 2012, at his home in Selma, California.[3]

Head coaching record

Junior college

Notes and References

  1. Frank A. Korch (ed.), The Bears 1950: Thirty-First Year. Chicago: Chicago Bears Football Club, 1950; p. 20.
  2. Web site: Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame Home. Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame Home. February 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170731195939/https://www.fresnoahof.org/current-past-inductees. July 31, 2017. dead.
  3. http://www.gobulldogs.com/news/2012/1/24/Former_Bulldog_Coach_JR_Boone_Passes.aspx Former Bulldog Coach JR Boone Passes - Fresno State Athletics