Worden, Jim

Jim Worden – (1980)

 

JIM WORDEN

Inducted April 30, 1980

Football was his game, and as a powerful running back he made his mark at Lorain High School, Waynesburg College, and finally with the Cleveland Rams of the National Football League.

As an outstanding back at LHS in the early 1930s, he was twice named to the prestigious All-Lake Erie League team.

Famed football coach Earl McCaskey described him as follows: “Worden was one of the best players I ever had. He was a fast, hard-nosed halfback on offense and a tough linebacker on defense. I remember him as perhaps the most deadly tackler in Lorain High history, although he couldn’t have weighed more than 165 pounds. He was a complete team player.”

He enjoyed an exceptional college football career, earning three varsity letters as a starting back for Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania. Selected for the All-Conference team in 1939, he was later named as one of Waynesburg’s “all-time greats”.

Returning to his hometown, he performed brilliantly for the Lorain Ex-Hi’s, a strong semi-pro gridiron aggregation.

Professional football beckoned, and the rugged running back played for the 1945. Cleveland Rams when NFL teams could carry only 33 players on their rosters.

Mr. Worden later worked for the Lorain City School system, serving for many years as Head Groundskeeper at George Daniel Stadium.