Jim Whalen

James Francis Whalen, Jr. (May 20, 1943 – December 18, 2012) was an American professional football player who was a tight end in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL).

Whalen was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He played in the AFL for the Boston Patriots, and then in the NFL for the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. Whalen played college football for the Boston College Eagles, where he was a two time first-team All-East selection and one time All-American. Whalen was selected in the third round of the 1965 AFL draft. He was also chosen in the fourth round of the 1965 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. The Boston Red Sox were playing in the 1967 World Series and the Patriots had to play at Boston College for this game. Earlier in 1962 as a sophomore at Boston College, Whalen hauled in a team record three touchdown receptions in a victory against Boston University.

Whalen would become the first Patriots receiver to be accorded First-team All-Pro (1968). That same year he was voted as team MVP and would subsequently be selected as the tight end on the Patriots All-Decade Team (1960s).

Early life

James Francis "Jim" Whalen, Jr., grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts residing on Plymouth Street. He was the son of James Francis "Brud" Whalen and Helen Whalen, née Zukowski. He has one sister, Rosemary.

(Whalen's father was one of the preeminent multi-sport collegiate stars of his era, captaining the Manhattan College baseball and football teams in its sports heyday at the national level. In one of his seasons on the gridiron he averaged 9.1 yards per carry rushing, 12.7 yards per pass reception, and 45 yards per punt return and was among the leaders nationally in touchdowns scored.

College years Overview Whalen is considered one of the finest pass catchers and all-around athletes to graduate from Boston College. At the time of his graduation after the 1964 season, Whalen was the top pass receiver in Boston College history with 73 career receptions, surpassing the total of 70 accumulated by Art Graham, who like Whalen a few years later, would go on to a stellar career with the Boston Patriots. During his tenure at BC, Whalen also lettered in baseball and ice hockey in addition to football. Ranked first nationally in yards per catch (minimum of 25 catches) with an average of 20.1. His 523 receiving yards on 26 catches ranked eighth nationally, only 36 yards out of the fourth position. After the conclusion of the 1964 season, Whalen was selected as a starter in both the East – West Shrine Game (held in San Francisco), as well as the Senior Bowl (Mobile, Alabama). Later that season, Whalen's 15 yard catch in the closing moments resulted in a 10–8 victory in Holy Cross coach Eddie Anderson's final game.

Professional career

Unlike his father, who turned down offers from both professional football and Major League Baseball, the younger Whalen decided to take his athletic talents to the professional level. Although being recruited by teams from the National Hockey League as well as from others in Major League Baseball, Whalen chose football and signed with the hometown Boston Patriots who had drafted him with the 23rd overall pick. Ironically two years later, Whalen would be playing for the Broncos.

For his accomplishments in 1968, Whalen would be accorded First-team All-Pro, marking the first time that any Patriots receiver, tight end or otherwise, would be selected First-team All-Pro. On September 28, 1969, in a loss against the Oakland Raiders, Whalen scores his last touchdown as a Patriot.