Jim Bertelsen

James Allen Bertelsen (February 26, 1950 – May 7, 2021) was an American professional football player who was a running back for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Rams in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft.

College career

As a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin in 1969 he, James Street, Steve Worster, and Ted Koy led the Longhorns to a national championship using the wishbone option offense. He was named a 3rd-string All-American that year. In 1970 he again helped lead Texas to the National Championship, though they lost the Cotton Bowl, as he was named all-conference. As a senior and a team captain in 1971, Bertlesen was the team's lead ground gainer, leading them to a 3rd straight Southwest Conference Championship and making the All-Conference team again.

He was named to the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1995. For the Rams he was also a kick and punt returner. He averaged four yards per carry as a pro, and rushed for 854 yards in 1973. In 1974 he had 1395 all-purpose yards and 5 TDs earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl and he was the Rams leading rusher in the 1974 NFC Championship game. He played in another NFC Championship game with the Rams in 1976. He was released by the Rams a few days before the start of the 1977 regular season due to an injury. Later that season, the Colts considered him as a free agent replacement for the injured Roosevelt Leaks.

Later life

After his NFL career, Bertelsen returned to the Austin area where he owned and trained racehorses, owned and operated a bar and then moved into sales positions in the construction field and then the oil business where he worked until his retirement in 2013.

He died on May 7, 2021. He was divorced at the time of his death. He had a son, a daughter and a granddaughter.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1972 RAM 14 7 123 581 4.7 42 5 29 331 11.4 22 1 1973 RAM 14 14 206 854 4.1 49 4 19 267 14.1 44 1 1974 RAM 13 13 127 419 3.3 20 2 20 175 8.8 19 0 1975 RAM 13 11 116 457 3.9 19 3 14 208 14.9 22 0 1976 RAM 14 0 42 155 3.7 18 2 6 33 5.5 10 0 Total 68 45 614 2,466 4.0 49 16 88 1,014 11.5 44 2

Playoffs Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1973 RAM 1 1 12 37 3.1 13 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1974 RAM 2 2 20 99 5.0 11 0 6 58 9.7 13 0 1976 RAM 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 Total 5 3 32 136 4.3 13 0 6 58 9.7 13 0