Saturday, 23 November 2024

Jim Finks

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Football Executive
Statistics: 2 The Sporting News Executive of the Year Awards (1973 & 1987)
Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Member of the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
A seven-year NFL veteran, Jim Finks built a strong team in the Calgary Stampeders in the eight years he was there (1957-64). The Stampeders never won the Grey Cup, but Fitch’s work placed him in the conversation for greater opportunities.

Finks returned to the United States, taking to the general manager job with the Minnesota Vikings, and he built a team that competed in four Super Bowls. He was brought in by the Chicago Bears in 1974, building them back from the bottom end of the league. Finks resigned after not being consulted by the owner, George Halas' in his hiring of Mike Ditka as their head coach. The Bears won the Super Bowl three years later, mainly from the pieces that Finks put together.

After a brief stop with the Chicago Bears as an executive, Finks accepted the role of general manager for the New Orleans Saints, a team that had never had a winning season after 19 years of existence. Finks changed that, and in his second season, New Orleans won 12 games and won their first division title.

Finks never won a Super Bowl, but every team he was associated with was significantly better off because of his personnel decisions.

We are proud to nominate Jim Fitch for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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