James Lilburn "Pat" Coffee (August 3, 1915 – January 25, 1986) was an professional American football halfback and tailback. He played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Cardinals in 1937 and 1938. He also played college football for the LSU Tigers from 1933 to 1936.

Early years

Coffee was born in 1915 in De Ann, Arkansas. He attended Minden High School in Minden, Louisiana. He was a star football player in high school who had a 68-yard punt in 1932.[1] Known as a triple-threat man, Coffee was named to the All-Northern Louisiana football team in December 1932.[2]

LSU

Coffee enrolled at Louisiana State University (LSU) and played college football for the LSU Tigers from 1933 to 1936.[3] He was a triple-threat player who excelled as a passer and was also known as a hard-running back and a good punter and blocker.[4]

Professional football

In 1937, Coffee reported to the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He left and returned to LSU to resume his studies. He was then summoned by the Chicago Cardinals in early October.[5] He appeared in nine games for the Cardinals in 1937, completing 52 of 119 passes for 824 yards. He ranked second in the NFL in passing yards and third in completed passes.[6] He also set an NFL record in 1937 with a 97-yard touchdown pass to receiver Gaynell Tinsley.[7]

In 1938, Coffee returned to the Cardinals and appeared in 10 games, but only one as a starter. He tallied 200 passing yards and 169 rushing yards.[6]

Later years

Coffee returned to Minden, Louisiana, after the 1938 NFL season.[8] In 1943, he obtained a degree in dentistry from Loyola University New Orleans.[9]

Coffee died in January 1986 at age 70 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Minden Greenies Defeat Fair Park With Steady Drive: Pat Coffee Punts Ball 68 Yards, On Goal Line". Signal-Tribune. October 11, 1932. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Coffee Placed On All-North La. Grid Team". Signal-Tribune. December 27, 1932. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Pat Coffee". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  4. ^ "Louisiana Serves Coffee "Hot"". The Patriot (Harrisburg, Penn.). October 28, 1936. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Pat Coffee Joins Pro Football Team". The Shreveport Journal. October 4, 1937. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c "Pat Coffee". Pro-Football-Referenc.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  7. ^ "Giant's Danowski Passes Way To New Pro League Record". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press. December 8, 1938. p. 33. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  8. ^ "Coffee Home From Pro Gridiron Loop". The Webster Review and Signal-Tribune. January 18, 1938. p. 7 (Parish section) – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Columnist Says Words Of Praise For Minden Man: Points To Record Of James L. Coffee, Who Graduated In Dentistry". The Webster Review-The Signal-Tribune. February 2, 1943. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
Allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Coffee
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