He totaled 431 carries for 1714 yards and 10 TDs rushing, to go along with 52 receptions for 561 yards and 5 TDs.
Well lauded, he led the Cowboys in rushing all 3 years, and the team to the Sun Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Kiick was selected in the 5th round of the 1968 AFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.
He’d go on to play for the Dolphins for the next seven seasons, where Jim established himself as a wonderful compliment to Larry Czonka in the backfield as a receiver, rusher, and blocker.
In 1969, Kiick led the AFL with 9 rushing TDs.
He’d have a career high 1,155 yards from scrimmage the following year in 1970.
And in 1971, rushed for a career high 738 yards.
Czonka and Kiick were known affectionately as ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ thanks in part to their drunken debauchery on road games.
In each of his first 4 seasons, Kiick had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
Over a period of time however, new players such as Mercury Morris and Paul Warfield were introduced to the team, eating into Kiick’s playing time and touches.
He and Larry shocked the football world when in 1975 Jim, Paul, and Larry jumped ship for the World Football League.
They all played for the Memphis Southmen.
Jim ran for 462 yards on 121 carries, scoring 9 TDs, while also catching 25 passes for 259 yards and a TD.
After the league folded, Jim returned to the NFL where he played the ’76 season for the Broncos.
He played the majority of the ’77 season with Denver, and finished out the year with the Redskins.
Jim had a variety of pursuits he chased after his NFL time ended, including private investigation, and owned a self-titled sports promotion company.
ACCOLADES:
Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame
Pro Bowl 1968, ’69
NOTES:
By the time I was back collecting and targeting this set, Jim had already started deteriorating rapidly from dementia- and he was one of the many players that had been diagnosed with CTE. It made me deeply sad, so I didn’t want to trouble him for his autograph during this private time of his life, even though he was still participating in private signings.
It’s difficult for me to talk about this subject. Care giving for one who is experiencing issues with mental cognition hits home for me. My grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s near the end of his life in his 90s. He had to be placed into a senior care center. I just remember the last time I saw him, it was my birthday, and he thought I worked for him at the plant- somewhere he hadn’t been to in 30 years.
EPITAPH:
6/20/20- Jim had battled dementia and had been living in a assisted living community. He passed away at the age of 73. It was later confirmed that Kiick had suffered from CTE.
Originally a WR in college at Fort Valley State, Marquette hit the field as a punter in his Junior year.
He’d go undrafted in 2012 after an outstanding Senior campaign where he netted All-First Team in the SIAC.
King signed with the Raiders post draft and provided a camp leg for the team while Shane Lechler rehabbed an injury.
The Raiders stashed King on IR during his rookie year.
With Lechler signing with the Texans in 2013, Marquette won the job outright in camp.
Marquette had an exceptional debut, leading the league in with a 48.9 gross yards per punt.
He’d then follow his debut up with leading the NFL in various categories and setting franchise records with 4,930 yards on 109 punts in 2014.
Marquette played with the Raiders through 2017.
He signed with the Broncos in 2018.
Cut midway through the season with an injury settlement.
Signed with the XFL in 2020, playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks.
Had 19 punts for 868 yards before the league terminated after week 5 due to COVID.
Returned again to the XFL in 2023 where he was selected by the Arlington Renegades.
Finished year with 40 punts for 1816 yards and a 45.4 yard average as Renegades captured XFL Championship.
Played again in 2024 for the Renegades and had 28 punts for 1368 yards.
ACCOLADES:
Second Team All Pro 2016
All UFL 2024
NOTES:
Marquette was the first player to come over before the XFL Championship game. Kids swarmed me, as they know King as a combination of a streamer and an athlete. He left me for last and thanked me for being a fan while signing the card.
Marquette has a very unique autograph. I’ve never seen anything really like it. It’s pretty artistic with the dots and the straight line on the end there. I think it’s supposed to be a king’s crown.
I’m not sure why Marquette didn’t get another shot at the NFL. Maybe he just got too expensive for his own market. Maybe it was because he showboated after making a great punt. Maybe he got bad press from his former teammates on the Raiders.
Marquette recently also provided the 2024 UFL Championship game with its halftime entertainment as he’s a musician as well.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
