Standing just 5-foot-11 and barely tipping the scales at 175 pounds, Jim David entered the league as a 22nd-round longshot out of Colorado A&M in 1952. What he lacked in bulk, he made up for with pure, unadulterated hostility on the field. Opponents quickly dubbed him "The Hatchet"—a moniker earned after his relentless, bone-crushing tackles knocked Hall of Fame talents like Y.A. Tittle and Tom Fears out of back-to-back games in 1953.

Operating at right defensive halfback, David served as the physical Enforcer of "Chris' Crew," Detroit's legendary secondary alongside Hall of Famers Jack Christiansen and Yale Lary. While his reckless tackling set a terrifying defensive tone for Buddy Parker's squad, his ball-hawking range was equally lethal. David hauled in seven interceptions as a rookie in 1952, going on to match that seven-pick mark in both 1954 and 1956.

His true claim to Motor City immortality came on the postseason stage. David was a vital catalyst for Detroit's three NFL Championship teams (1952, 1953, and 1957), remarkably picking off a pass in all three title game victories. From 1954 through 1959, he was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls, establishing himself as one of the era’s premier defensive backs.

After retiring in 1959, David remained a fixture in the organization, eventually serving as Detroit's defensive coordinator from 1967 to 1972 under former teammate Joe Schmidt. He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.

David compiled 36 interceptions, 259 interception return yards, and five fumble recoveries in Detroit (adding three postseason picks).