 Tays in 1928 | |
| No. 4[1] | |
|---|---|
| Position | Halfback[1] |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1899-03-10)March 10, 1899 Iron Mountain, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | June 21, 1986(1986-06-21) (aged 87) Champaign, Illinois, U.S. |
| Listed height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Listed weight | 174 lb (79 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Tolono (IL) |
| College | Penn State,Chicago |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats atPro Football Reference | |
James Elmer Tays (March 10, 1899 – June 21, 1986) was an American professionalfootballhalfback who played three seasons in theNational Football League (NFL) with theChicago Cardinals,Dayton Triangles,Newark Tornadoes, andStaten Island Stapletons. He playedcollege football atPennsylvania State University and theUniversity of Chicago. He was a member of the Cardinals team that wereNFL champions in1925.
James Elmer Tays was born on March 10, 1899, inIron Mountain, Michigan.[1] His grandfather, Christopher Tays, was born as a slave in Virginia circa 1829 and later served in the65th U.S. Colored Troops Regiment during theCivil War.[2]
Tays playedhigh school football at Tolono High School inTolono, Illinois.[2] He playedcollege football atPennsylvania State University and theUniversity of Chicago.[2][3]
Tays played in nine games, starting two, for theChicago Cardinals of theNational Football League (NFL) in 1925 and scored one fumble recovery touchdown.[3] The Cardinals finished the season with an 11–2–1 record and were named NFL champions.[4] He was listed as ahalfback during his stint with the Cardinals.[1]
Tays appeared in two games, starting one, for theChicago Bulls of theAmerican Football League in 1926.[1]
He played in seven games, all starts, for the NFL'sDayton Triangles in 1927.[3] The Triangles went 1–6–1 that year.[5]
Tays was aplayer-coach for the Cincinnati National Guards from 1928 to 1929.[6][7]
Tays played one game for theNewark Tornadoes of the NFL in 1930 before being released.[3][8]
He then played in three games, starting one, for theStaten Island Stapletons of the NFL in 1930.[3]
Tays also spent time as a baseball player in theChicago White Sox organization.[2] He later become a farmer inFisher, Illinois.[2] He was a state fair superintendent in the 1950s.[2]
Tays died on June 21, 1986, inChampaign, Illinois.[3]