Jim Sears

James Herbert "Jimmy" Sears (March 20, 1931 – January 4, 2002) was an American professional football player who was a defensive back and halfback in the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans.

Early life Sears prepped at Inglewood High School in Inglewood, California, where he was student body president in spring 1949.

College career Sears played college football at the University of Southern California. He was seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting his senior year, becoming the first Trojan to receive votes for the Heisman.

In 1952, he became the second person to receive the W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy as the outstanding football player on the Pacific Coast. Before playing for the USC Trojans, Sears played at El Camino Junior College in Torrance, California.

Professional career Sears played for the NFL's Chicago Cardinals (1954, 1957–1958), and the AFL's Los Angeles Chargers (1960) and Denver Broncos (1961).

Coaching career Sears was an assistant coach for USC during the 1959 season.