Jim Snowden

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For the English jockey, see Jem Snowden.

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Jim Snowden
No. 74
PositionTackle
Personal information
BornJanuary 12, 1942
Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
DiedOctober 3, 2020 (aged 78)
Gainesville, VA
Career information
CollegeNotre Dame
NFL draft1964: 5th round, 59th overall pick
AFL draft1964: 15th round, 114
(by the Kansas City Chiefs)th overall pick
Career history
1965–1971Washington Redskins
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

James John Snowden Jr. (January 12, 1942–October 3, 2020) was an American professional football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame and was selected in the fifth round of the 1964 NFL draft. Snowden was also selected in the fifteenth round of the 1964 AFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He died from complications due to knee surgery.[citation needed]

Early life

[edit]

Snowden was born on January 12, 1942, in Youngstown, Ohio, to James John Sr. and Estele (Gandy) Snowden.[1][2] He attended Youngstown's East High School (Youngstown East). As a senior in December 1959, he was named by the Associated Press (AP) as a first-team All-Ohio high school football player at offensive end for Youngstown East. He was selected to play in the Annual Scholastic Classic, a high school all-star football game held in Canton, Ohio, with teams selected by the Ohio Coaches Association.[3][4]

He also played on Youngstown East's basketball team, and as a senior in March 1960 the AP named him to the second-team All-Ohio high school basketball team.[3][5][6] Snowden was also a district champion in the shot put while on the track team at Youngstown East.[7]

College

[edit]

Snowden was pursued by the University of Michigan and Ohio State University, but chose to attend the University of Notre Dame. He starred on the freshman team in 1960, and in 1961 joined the varsity as a sophomore fullback, standing a reported 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb. (108.9 kg). He was only the fourth black player on the team in school history.[6] In 1961, Snowden had 32 rushing attempts for 169 yards and a touchdown, along with two pass receptions for 14 yards.[8] Snowden had an injured knee during the 1961 season, with head coach Joe Kuharich stating Snowden was playing on courageously, at only about 60% of his ability. Doctors had advised that Snowden could do no further harm to his knee by playing. Snowden had knee surgery in late December, after the 1961 season was over.[9]

In 1962, Snowden was not able to play because of low grades and was out of school altogether for the 1962-63 academic year.[10][11] Snowden returned in September 1963 as a junior, having regained his academic eligibility. Before the season started, he was shifted back to offensive end from fullback by new varsity head coach Hugh Devore, who had coached Snowden at end on the freshman team.[12][11] In mid-October, Devore inserted Snowden at right offensive tackle for one game due to the starter John Meyer's injury.[13] Snowden would be listed as Meyer's backup after that.[14]

Although he was selected in the 1964 draft as a future by the Washington Redskins,[15] Snowden returned to Notre Dame for his senior year, now under coach Ara Parseghian, who would be named college coach of the year for 1964. Parseghian moved Snowden to left offensive tackle.[16][17][18] Snowden was selected as a college all-star to play in the December 25, 1964, Mahi Shrine North-South All-Star game, at tackle.[19][18]

Professional career

[edit]

Drafted as a "future" in the 5th round of 1964 NFL draft (59th overall), held in December 1963,[15][20] Snowden signed with the Washington Redskins one year later, in early December 1964.[21] The Kansas City Chiefs had selected Snowden in the 15th round of the 1964 AFL draft, 114th overall.[22] Snowden went on to play seven years for Washington, starting either at right or left tackle every one of those seasons (1965-71);[1] until his career was ended by a knee injury.

Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Ernie Stautner was a coach with Washington in 1965, variously described as an assistant coach, defensive line coach and/or offensive line coach. He worked with the rookie Snowden at offensive tackle. Snowden had limited experience as an offensive tackle at Notre Dame, and was somewhat confused playing the position. He did not at first appreciate all of the hard work Stautner demanded of him. But then Snowden came to Stautner and said, "'I want to be a good offensive tackle and I am willing to work hard now. Please teach me'". Stautner believed that Snowden became a good offensive tackle, through Snowden's own hard word.[23][24][25][26]

Snowden started all 14 games as a rookie left tackle in 1965, but had a difficult season protecting future Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen; though he believed he improved and learned over the course of the season as he gained more experience. When new coach Otto Graham took over in 1966, he tried playing Snowden at tight end during training camp.[27][1][28] By early September, however, offensive line coach Mike McCormick made former Dallas Cowboy Mitch Johnson the starting left tackle and Snowden the starting right tackle to give the offensive line more speed.[29] Snowden replaced Washington's long-time right tackle Fran O'Brien, who was waived.[30] In 1966, Johnson started all 14 games at left tackle, and Snowden started all 14 games at right tackle alongside Vince Promuto at right guard, along with Pro Bowler Len Hauss at center.[31][1][32][33]

Snowden started all 14 games again in 1967 at right tackle alongside Promuto and Hauss, with the addition of left guard Ray Schoenke alongside Johnson.[34] In 1968, Washington traded for San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Walter Rock just before the season started.[35][36] Graham started Rock at left tackle and moved Snowden to right tackle where he started all 14 games.[37]

In 1969, Washington replaced Graham with coaching legend Vince Lombardi. Lombardi moved Snowden back to left tackle, where he again started all 14 games, and moved Rock to right tackle. Washington's record improved to 7–5–2 in 1969; their first winning season since 1955.[38][39][40][41] Lombardi fell ill with cancer and died less than one year later, and Bill Austin took over as head coach in 1970. Once again Snowden started all 14 games at left tackle, with Rock starting at right tackle, but the team record fell to 6–8.[42][43]

In 1971, future Hall of Fame coach George Allen took over as Washington's head coach.[44] Snowden again started all 14 games at left tackle and Rock remained the starter at right tackle. The team finished 9–4–1 in 1971 and made the playoffs; losing in the divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers, 24–20.[45][46] The offensive line of Snowden, Rock, Hauss and guards Ray Schoenke and John Wilbur permitted only 17 quarterback sacks that season, second best in the NFL.[47][45][48]

Snowden suffered a torn knee ligament during Washington's training camp in 1972,[49][50] which would effectively end his career. He was on injured reserved in 1972 and did not play. He did attend Super Bowl VII with the team, and was fined for breaking curfew on the Tuesday before the game (though others did so as well and were not punished).[1][51]

In addition to fining Snowden, Allen wanted to send him home before the Super Bowl. The black players on the team went to team co-captain Charley Taylor (a future Hall of Fame receiver) and told him that if Snowden was sent home they would refuse to play in the Super Bowl. Taylor and co-captain Len Hauss convinced Allen to let Snowden stay with the team for the Super Bowl.[52][53] Washington lost the game 14–7 to the undefeated Miami Dolphins,[54] and while Taylor did not think the incident with Snowden caused them to lose, he stated that "'it sure didn't help'".[52]

In May 1973, Washington traded Snowden, Mack Alston, Mike Farmed, Jeff Severson and Clifton McNeil to the Houston Oilers for future Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ken Houston.[55][56] The Oilers cut Snowden in September 1973 before the season started.[57]

Personal life and death

[edit]

During training camp with Washington in August 1965, Snowden was called home due to the death of his two month old son, James III.[58] The baby had been ill since he was born.[59] Snowden died on October 3, 2020 at his home in Gainesville, Virginia, survived by his wife Joelle Mahe Snowden.[2][60]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Jim Snowden Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "JAMES SNOWDEN Obituary (1942 - 2020) - Washington, DC - The Washington Post". Legacy.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "AP All-Ohio Football Selections". The Lima Citizen (Lima, Ohio). December 8, 1959. p. 16.
  4. ^ "Chappell To Play In All-Star Tilt". The Salem News (Salem, Ohio). Associated Press. December 7, 1959. p. 9.
  5. ^ "Cunningham Given Honorable Mention". Evening Review (East Liverpool, Ohio). March 23, 1960. p. 23.
  6. ^ a b "Negro Back Cheers Coach". Call and Post (Cleveland, Ohio). August 19, 1961. pp. 4-C.
  7. ^ Brautigam, Dick (May 21, 1960). "Warren Cracks 5 Records In Winning N.E.O. Track Meet". The Salem News (Salem, Ohio). p. 8.
  8. ^ "Jim Snowden College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  9. ^ "Jim Snowden Slated For Knee Surgery". The Tidings (Los Angeles, California). November 10, 1961. p. 16.
  10. ^ Jauss, Bill (September 14, 1962). "5 Big Ten Foes Spell Irish Doom". The Forum (Fargo, North Dakota). p. 12.
  11. ^ a b Doyle, Joe (September 6, 1963). "Jim Snowden Shifted Back To End For Irish". The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana). p. 39.
  12. ^ Hagan, Jerry (August 12, 1963). "Costa, Snowden and Reed To Play Again for Notre Dame". The Kalamazoo Gazette. p. 17.
  13. ^ Doyle, Joe (October 18, 1963). "UCLA Underdogs Set Sights On Upset". The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana). p. 39.
  14. ^ "Lineups". The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana). October 25, 1963. p. 41.
  15. ^ a b Yorke, Tom (December 3, 1963). "Redskins Draft Shiner". The Washington Daily News. p. 42.
  16. ^ Johns, Walter L. (September 23, 1964). "Notre Dame Gridders Hungry". The Daily Register (Red Bank, New Jersey). p. 30.
  17. ^ Bartlett, Charles (October 4, 1964). "Irish Blast Purdue, 34–15, Good Old Days!". Chicago Tribune. p. 53.
  18. ^ a b Pope, Edwin (December 25, 1964). "All-Americas Collide In OB Today". The Miami Herald. p. 35.
  19. ^ "Coaches And Players Arrive Friday For 19th Shrine Game". News-Press (Fort Myers, Florida). Associated Press. December 13, 1964. p. 52.
  20. ^ "1964 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  21. ^ Doyle, Joe (December 2, 1964). "According to Doyle". The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Indiana). p. 57.
  22. ^ "1964 AFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  23. ^ "Ernie Stautner | Pro Football History.com". pro-football-history.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  24. ^ "Ernie Stautner | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  25. ^ "1965 Washington Redskins Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  26. ^ Brady, Dave (December 23, 1967). "It Didn't Take Dallas 'Til 'Doomsday'". The Akron Beacon Journal. p. 25.
  27. ^ Harris, Larry (July 28, 1966). "Snowden: A Place To Play". The Charlotte News. p. 24.
  28. ^ "Sonny Jurgensen | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  29. ^ Yorke, Tom (September 6, 1966). "Redskins Kick Off With New Line-Up". The Washington Daily News. p. 29.
  30. ^ "'Skins Waive O'Brien". The Kansas City Times. Associated Press. October 1, 1966. p. 52.
  31. ^ "Mitch Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  32. ^ "1966 Washington Redskins Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  33. ^ "Len Hauss Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  34. ^ "1967 Washington Redskins Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  35. ^ Wallace, William N. (September 10, 1968). "Jim Taylor, Flatley Victims Of Final Cuts by Teams in N.F.L. (Published 1968)". Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  36. ^ Wallace, William N. (September 1, 1968). "Rozelle Carries Ball on Option Play (Published 1968)". Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  37. ^ "1968 Washington Redskins Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  38. ^ "Despite Lombardi Redskins Look Same". Hobbs Daily News-Sun (Hobbs, New Mexico). Associated Press. September 3, 1969. p. 6.
  39. ^ "Vince Lombardi | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  40. ^ "1969 Washington Redskins Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  41. ^ "Washington Commanders Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  42. ^ Wallace, William N. (September 4, 1970). "Vince Lombardi, Football Coach, Dies (Published 1970)". Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  43. ^ "1970 Washington Redskins Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  44. ^ "George Allen | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  45. ^ a b "1971 Washington Redskins Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  46. ^ "Divisional Round - Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers - December 26th, 1971". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  47. ^ "National Conference Preview, Washington Redskins". The Daily Advertiser (Lafayette, Louisiana). July 10, 1972. p. 13.
  48. ^ "1971 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  49. ^ "Pats Send Nance to Eagles; Namath Balks at Exhibitions". Brainerd Dispatch (Brainerd, Minnesota). Associated Press. July 25, 1972. p. 8.
  50. ^ Greene, Bob (August 28, 1972). "'Skins Eye Playoffs Again". Hickory Daily Record (Hickory, North Carolina). p. 9.
  51. ^ "Redskins in Super Bowl VII: 'Everybody Was So Uptight'". The Washington Post. January 30, 1983. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  52. ^ a b Shapiro, Leonard (September 2, 1979). "Ghosts Of Glory Past". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  53. ^ "Charley Taylor | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  54. ^ "Super Bowl VII - Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins - January 14th, 1973". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  55. ^ Associated Press (May 16, 1973). "Redskins Obtain Oilers'". New York Times. p. 58. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  56. ^ "Ken Houston | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  57. ^ Lundgren, Hal (November 9, 1973). "McNeil Cut From Oilers". The Houston Chronicle. p. 66.
  58. ^ "'Skins Jencks Back". The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona). August 3, 1965. p. 6.
  59. ^ "General Obituaries, Infant Snowden". The South Bend Tribune. August 2, 1965. p. 10.
  60. ^ "East High School mourns loss of Youngstown football legend". WKBN.com. October 22, 2020. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2025.