You see, back then football teams only carried as many players as they needed to play. Without good ol Jim, his team would be out the 11 players needed to compete and would be forced to forfeit the game. So, as he laid on the locker room floor clutching his heart, Jim Pickney said to his brothers-in-arms, “Boys, this is how it ends for me, but it doesn’t have to end for you. When I go, I want you to drag me out on the field and…” these were his last words before he went unconscious and passed a few minutes later. His faithful teammates honored his wishes, and, as they returned from the half, carried Jim’s lifeless body onto the field and placed him behind the quarterback. To everyone, it appeared to be an elaborate trick play, where perhaps Jim would unexpectedly pop up at some point during the half and take the ball. They played an entire quarter in this manner, dragging Jim’s body along with them down the field every time they gained a few yards. Unfortunately, by the start of the 4th quarter the sharp-eyed refs had discovered the ruse, and the Albany Pumpernicks were forced to forfeit the game.
Ever since that day, the brave warrior of the gridiron earned himself the moniker “Dead” Jim Pickney, and a display in his honor remains open to the public in a back corner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Vavent t1_it3nsnd wrote
Reply to comment by Ikimasen in Charley Trippi, only NFL Hall of Famer with 1,000 passing, rushing and receiving yards, dies at 100 by Boring-Scar1580
You see, back then football teams only carried as many players as they needed to play. Without good ol Jim, his team would be out the 11 players needed to compete and would be forced to forfeit the game. So, as he laid on the locker room floor clutching his heart, Jim Pickney said to his brothers-in-arms, “Boys, this is how it ends for me, but it doesn’t have to end for you. When I go, I want you to drag me out on the field and…” these were his last words before he went unconscious and passed a few minutes later. His faithful teammates honored his wishes, and, as they returned from the half, carried Jim’s lifeless body onto the field and placed him behind the quarterback. To everyone, it appeared to be an elaborate trick play, where perhaps Jim would unexpectedly pop up at some point during the half and take the ball. They played an entire quarter in this manner, dragging Jim’s body along with them down the field every time they gained a few yards. Unfortunately, by the start of the 4th quarter the sharp-eyed refs had discovered the ruse, and the Albany Pumpernicks were forced to forfeit the game.
Ever since that day, the brave warrior of the gridiron earned himself the moniker “Dead” Jim Pickney, and a display in his honor remains open to the public in a back corner of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.