Jim Colclough, at 68; led Patriots in receiving in '60s
Jim Colclough, who was considered a fierce competitor on the football field and a compassionate man off it, died Sunday of complications from hepatitis C at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 68.
Mr. Colclough, a Medford native who grew up in Quincy, played halfback at Boston College from 1956 to 1958 before becoming a member of the first Boston Patriots team in 1960.
The Brewster resident was a wide receiver for nine seasons, to 1968, with the Patriots, appearing in 126 games and scoring 39 touchdowns. He was the receiver opposite Gino Cappelletti on strong Patriots teams of the '60s that featured quarterback Babe Parilli and running backs Ron Burton and Jim Nance.
"Like so many of his teammates, Jim represented the Patriots with great dignity, both on and off the field, and proudly remained an active part of the New England community for more than four decades," said Patriots owner Robert Kraft. "He always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye that was warm and welcoming."
Former Patriots offensive lineman Peter Brock, who heads the New England Patriots Alumni Association, echoed Kraft's comments, adding, "He was very involved in our alumni. Anything we did, Jimmy wanted to be a part of it. He was a wonderful, kind-hearted man." Mr. Colclough, who wore No. 81, began his professional football career in the Canadian Football League in 1959 before joining the new American Football League franchise in Boston. In his rookie year of 1960, he led the Patriots with 49 receptions for 666 yards and 9 touchdowns. For his career, he compiled 283 receptions for 5,001 yards, which stood as a team record until 1983, when Stanley Morgan surpassed him. Mr. Colclough still remains among the top five in team history for receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and average yards per reception.
"He was probably the most competitive player I ever played with," recalled former teammate Tom Yewcic. "He was like a coach on the field. He could read defenses and really knew what the opposing team was going to do against him.
"I remember speaking with [former Kansas City Chiefs defensive back] Fred `The Hammer' Williamson not long ago, and he told how much he hated trying to cover Jimmy. Jimmy beat him all the time. He had good speed and he could catch the ball in a crowd."
Yewcic, a quarterback and punter, credits Mr. Colclough with helping him earn a spot on the team in training camp in 1961. Mr. Colclough caught a 60-yard pass from Yewcic in camp. "I made the team on that play," said Yewcic.
Mr. Colclough played football at Quincy High School. After playing at BC, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins but never played for them. Mr. Colclough leaves his wife, Sally; five sons, Michael of Weymouth, Steven of Whitman, Sean of San Diego, and William and Patrick, both of Naples, Fla.; three brothers, William of Quincy, Jack of Brockton, and Thomas of Holbrook; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the United First Parish Church in Quincy. 