| No. 54 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1953-12-18)December 18, 1953 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | March 18, 2026(2026-03-18) (aged 72) Aurora, Colorado, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Lakewood |
| College | Colorado State |
| NFL draft | 1975: undrafted |
| Career history | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
James Jay Opperman (December 18, 1953 – March 18, 2026) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) in 1975. He played college football for the Colorado State Rams.12
Biography
Opperman played 10 games for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1975 season, only making a single kick-off return for 15 yards.3 He debuted on Sunday September 21 against the New York Giants at home and played his last game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday November 23, 1975 at home.4 He was dropped from the playing squad in November.
Starting in 1978 until his death, he coached wrestling for Smoky Hill High School.5 Opperman died in Aurora, Colorado on March 18, 2026, at the age of 72.6 His death was publicly announced on the Smoky Hill Wrestling Instagram page one week later.7
References
References
- "Jim Opperman Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- "Jim Opperman, LB". Nfl.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- "1975 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
- "Jim Opperman Game Log".
- "Knights - Coaches".
- "James Opperman". The Denver Post. April 2, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved April 25, 2026.