| No. 60 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Offensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1951-10-22)October 22, 1951 Mayfield Heights, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | June 17, 1987(1987-06-17) (aged 35) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 260 lb (118 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Michigan |
| NFL draft | 1974: 7th round, 173rd overall pick |
| Career history | |
| 1974–1980 | Ottawa Rough Riders |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
James Edward Coode (October 22, 1951 – June 17, 1987) was an Americanfootball player. He playedcollege football for theUniversity of Michigan from 1970 to 1973 and professional football for theDetroit Wheels (two games in 1974) and theOttawa Rough Riders (1974–1980). He was diagnosed withamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1979 and died in 1987.
A native ofMayfield Heights, Ohio, Coode enrolled at theUniversity of Michigan in 1969 and playedcollege football as anoffensive tackle forBo Schembechler'sMichigan Wolverines football teams from 1970 to 1973.[1][2] As a junior, he started every game at left tackle for the1972 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 10–1 record and was ranked No. 6 in the finalAP Poll.[3] As a senior, he started nine games at right tackle for the undefeated1973 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 10–0–1 record and was ranked No. 6 in the finalAP Poll.[4]
Coode began his professional football career in 1974 with theDetroit Wheels of theWorld Football League (WFL). He left the Wheels after playing two games when the team was unable to pay its players.[5]
After leaving the WFL, Coode joined theOttawa Rough Riders of theCanadian Football League (CFL) at the end of September 1974.[5] played professional football for seven seasons in theCanadian Football League (CFL) as anoffensive lineman for theOttawa Rough Riders. He was a part of the Rough Riders'Grey Cup victory in 1976. He won theCFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award in 1978 and theTom Pate Memorial Award for community service in 1980. His jersey (#60) has been retired by the Rough Riders, and re-retired by the REDBLACKS.[6] Coode was diagnosed withALS in 1979 and appeared in four games for the Rough Riders in 1980 after the diagnosis.[7][8]
Coode was married to Lisa Coode, and they had a son, Jamie.[9] Coode continued to live in Ottawa after retiring from football. A tribute dinner for Coode in May 1983 drew 1,200 persons.[10]Bo Schembechler spoke at the tribute.[11] By December 1986, Coode's weight had dropped from 275 pounds to 130 pounds.[9] Coode died at a hospital on June 17, 1987.[12][13]