Today in Wheeling History: March 8--Jim Keane, standout football talent at Linsly Military Institute in Wheeling who developed the skills that would lead him to NFL stardom with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, died in McHenry, Illinois (2011).
James Patrick "Jim" Keane was born on January 11, 1924, in Bellaire, Ohio. He attended Linsly Military Institute (now known as The Linsly School) in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he developed his athletic skills before pursuing higher education. Keane went on to play collegiate football at the University of Iowa before transferring to Northwestern University. His education was interrupted while he served with the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Selected by the Chicago Bears in the 18th round (182nd overall) of the 1945 NFL Draft, Keane enjoyed a seven-season professional football career (1946-1952). He played as an offensive end and defensive back for the Chicago Bears (1946-1951) and Green Bay Packers (1952). His rookie season with the Bears was highlighted by winning the 1946 NFL Championship. Keane's most productive year came in 1947 when he led the league in receptions with 64, accumulating 910 yards and 10 touchdowns. Throughout his NFL career, he compiled 224 receptions for 3,222 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning All-Pro honors twice (1947 and 1949). He set a single game receiving record of 14 receptions on October 23, 1949.
After football, Keane worked in sales management in the insurance, construction, and mortgage industries. He was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Jim Keane passed away on March 8, 2011, in McHenry, Illinois, at age 87 and was interred at Holy Apostles Cemetery in McHenry.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3ns8h6x4), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/mr2rjpab), Pro Football Reference (https://tinyurl.com/3rnspj4a), Legacy (https://tinyurl.com/2mmxx5m9)
Photo credits: Find a Grave, Bowman Football Cards via Wikimedia Commons
James Patrick "Jim" Keane was born on January 11, 1924, in Bellaire, Ohio. He attended Linsly Military Institute (now known as The Linsly School) in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he developed his athletic skills before pursuing higher education. Keane went on to play collegiate football at the University of Iowa before transferring to Northwestern University. His education was interrupted while he served with the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Selected by the Chicago Bears in the 18th round (182nd overall) of the 1945 NFL Draft, Keane enjoyed a seven-season professional football career (1946-1952). He played as an offensive end and defensive back for the Chicago Bears (1946-1951) and Green Bay Packers (1952). His rookie season with the Bears was highlighted by winning the 1946 NFL Championship. Keane's most productive year came in 1947 when he led the league in receptions with 64, accumulating 910 yards and 10 touchdowns. Throughout his NFL career, he compiled 224 receptions for 3,222 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning All-Pro honors twice (1947 and 1949). He set a single game receiving record of 14 receptions on October 23, 1949.
After football, Keane worked in sales management in the insurance, construction, and mortgage industries. He was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Jim Keane passed away on March 8, 2011, in McHenry, Illinois, at age 87 and was interred at Holy Apostles Cemetery in McHenry.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3ns8h6x4), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/mr2rjpab), Pro Football Reference (https://tinyurl.com/3rnspj4a), Legacy (https://tinyurl.com/2mmxx5m9)
Photo credits: Find a Grave, Bowman Football Cards via Wikimedia Commons
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