1945 was a uniquely special season for Benton. Not only would it be a large part of the Rams 1945 NFL Championship, his league-leading 1,067 Receiving Yards was accomplished in only nine games. He also would become the first Wide Receiver to exceed 300 Yards in a Game, a mark that was duplicated for another 40 Years!
At the time of his retirement, he was second all-time in Receiving Yards, and he was chosen for the 1940’s All-Decade Team.
100. Jim Benton
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Selected in the 2nd Round out of the University of Arkansas in 1938, Jim Benton would go onto be one of the first great receivers in the history of the Rams franchise. Benton led the NFL in Yards per Reception as a rookie and was named to the Pro Bowl in his second season. He took 1941 off and returned to the NFL in 1942, and due to a heart murmur, he was not permitted to enlist in the U.S. Military for World War II. He was loaned to the Chicago Bears in 1943 as the Rams were unable to field a team due to a depletion of talent but returned in 1944 and 1945 and 1946 but together two excellent seasons where he was the NFL leader in Receiving Yards.
The Bullet Points
- Country of Origin: Carthage, Arkansas, U.S.A.
- Eligible Since: Tuesday, 01 January 1963
- Position: End
- Games Played: 91
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Notable Statistics: 288 Receptions
4,801 Receiving Yards
45 Receiving Touchdowns
8 Rushing Attempts
19 Rushing Yards
5 Kick Returns
20 Kick Return Yards
2 Playoff Games
10 Receptions
154 Receiving Yards
1 Receiving Touchdown
1 Kick Return
14 Kick Return Yards - Played For: Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams
- College: Arkansas
- Drafted: 2nd Round, 11th Overall in 1938
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Major Accolades and Awards:
NFL Championships (2) (Chicago Bears 1943 & Cleveland Rams 1945)
NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
First Team All-Pro (2) (1945 & 1946)
Pro Bowl (1) (1939)
Most Receptions (1) (1946)
Most Receiving Yards (2) (1945 & 1946)
Most Receiving Touchdowns (1) (1939)
Most Yards per Reception (1) (1938)
Most Receiving Yards per Game (2) (1945 & 1946)
Most Yards From Scrimmage (2) (1945 & 1946) -
Other Points of Note:
Top Ten Finishes: Receptions (8) (1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1945, 1946 & 1947)
Top Ten Finishes: Receiving Yards (7) (1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1945, & 1946)
Top Ten Finishes: Receiving Touchdowns (8) (1938, 1939, 1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946 & 1947)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Reception (7) (1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1945, & 1946)
Top Ten Finishes: Receiving Yards per Game (7) (1938, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1945, & 1946)
Top Ten Finishes: Touchdowns (5) (1938, 1939, 1944, 1945 & 1946)
Top Ten Finishes: Points Scored (4) (1938, 1939, 1944 & 1945)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards From Scrimmage (2) (1945 & 1946)
Top Ten Finishes: All-Purpose Yards (2) (1945 & 1946) - Notable All Time Rankings: 71. Yards per Reception: 16.7
Should Jim Benton be in the Hall of Fame?
Definitely put him in! - 81.8%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 9.1%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 9.1%
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