Jim Bertelsen

Jim Bertelsen

No. 35, 45
Position:	Running back, Return specialist
Personal information
Born:	(1950-02-26)February 26, 1950 Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Died:	May 7, 2021(2021-05-07) (aged 71) San Marcos, Texas, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:	Hudson (WI)
College:	Texas
NFL draft:	1972: 2nd round, 30th pick
Career history
Los Angeles Rams (1972–1976)
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (1973) 2× National champion (1969, 1970) Cotton Bowl Champion - (1970) Southwest Conference Champion - 1969, 1970, 1971 Third-team All-American (1969) 2× First-team All-SWC (1969, 1971)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts: 614 Rushing yards: 2,466 Total TDs: 18 Stats at Pro Football Reference

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 a highly regarded high school football player in Wisconsin out of Hudson.

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.

In his career at Texas (1969–1971), he rushed for 2,510 yards, averaging 6.1 yards a carry and 33 touchdowns, and also had nine 100-yard rushing games.

After his senior year, he played in the College All-Star Football Game in Chicago and the 1972 Senior Bowl.

He was named to the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1995.

Pro Career

Bertelsen was selected in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams with the 30th overall pick. For the Rams he was a running back and kickoff 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. He was released by the Rams a few days before the start of the 1977 regular season.

Later Life

After his NFL career, Bertelsen returned to the Austin area.

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
		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
		5	3	32	136	4.3	13	0	6	58	9.7	13	0

External links

• Career statistics from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference