Jim Hobbins Explained

Jim Hobbins
Number:78
Position:Guard
Birth Date:4 June 1964
Birth Place:Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lbs:275
High School:Preble (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
College:Minnesota (1982–1986)
Undraftedyear:1987
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:3
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:3
Pfr:HobbJi20

Jim Hobbins (born June 4, 1964) is an American former football guard who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and also was a member of the Green Bay Bombers in the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL).

Early life

Hobbins was born on June 4, 1964, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.[1] He attended Preble High School in Green Bay and is one of four of their alumni to play in the NFL.[2] He was a letterman in three sports: football, basketball and track and field.[3] As a senior in 1981, Hobbins was named first-team all-conference on offense at tackle and second-team on defense at end; he also was selected first-team (offense) and second-team (defense) all-metro and was a second-team all-state choice.[3] [4] [5] He graduated in 1982 as ninth in a class of 572.[3] [6]

College career

Hobbins enrolled at the University of Minnesota and began playing for their Golden Gopher football team after he graduated from Preble.[3] He had been highly recruited and joined Minnesota over offers from other schools such as Wisconsin and Iowa.[7] [8] He saw limited action as a true freshman but started the season finale against Wisconsin.[9] He became a full-time starter at left tackle in the 1983 season but played for a Golden Gopher team described as "possibly the poorest collegiate team in the country."[9]

Hobbins broke his foot on the first day of practice entering the 1984 season and missed the entire year as a redshirt.[10] He returned as a starter in 1985 and helped Minnesota have one of the top rushing offenses nationally.[11] As a senior in 1986, he remained a starter and was named second-team All-Big Ten Conference, also participating in the Liberty Bowl.[6] During his time at Minnesota, Hobbins was also a first-team Academic All-Big Ten selection.[6] He graduated with a degree in business finance.[12]

Professional career

Hobbins went unselected in the 1987 NFL draft.[13] He was subsequently signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent, attempting to become the first Green Bay native to play for the Packers in 13 years.[14] He was limited by injury throughout the offseason and was released during roster cuts.[12] [15] He signed a strike option contract, however, after being cut, allowing him to re-join the Packers as a replacement player when the NFLPA went on strike later that season.[16] He made his NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings and ultimately started all three strike games as a guard before being released, posting a fumble recovery as his only statistic.[1] [17] [18]

Hobbins was then out of football until 11 years later, when he made the roster of the Green Bay Bombers in the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL).[19] Nicknamed "Grandpa", he was the oldest player on the team at the age of 34.[19] He earned $200 per game with the Bombers while also working at Arbon Equipment when not playing.[19] He was selected second-team all-league at the end of the season.[20]

Personal life

Hobbins married Amy Lou Murto in January 1986, and they had a child later that year.[6] [21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jim Hobbins Stats. Pro-Football-Reference.com. March 28, 2018. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185948/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HobbJi20.htm. live.
  2. Web site: Preble (Green Bay, WI) Alumni Pro Stats. Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 12, 2023. May 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516173403/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bd14e2. live.
  3. News: Drafted or not, Hobbins will get a chance. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. April 19, 1987. 75. White, Brian. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153111/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133295770/. live.
  4. News: Cards blanked on Valley team. The Reporter. Newspapers.com. November 12, 1981. 26. Kohl, Tom. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153111/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-reporter-cards-blanked-on-valley-tea/18337822/. live.
  5. News: Nelsen, Reed head 1981 All-Metro. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. November 18, 1981. 21. Turnquist, Bill. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153113/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/20142917/. live.
  6. News: Hobbins an exception to the football stereotype. Star Tribune. Newspapers.com. December 30, 1986. 38. Barreire, Dan. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153116/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/133297210/. live.
  7. News: Linemen lead the way among state prospects. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. February 7, 1982. 37. Grall, Dennis. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153221/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133296117/. live.
  8. News: Hobbins picks UM. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. February 10, 1982. 19. Grall, Dennis. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153118/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133295931/. live.
  9. News: Gopher ball: Hobbins endures dismal football season at Minnesota. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. October 29, 1983. 15, 17. Grall, Dennis. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153118/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133296430/. live.
  10. News: Pro scouts taking notice of Dollinger. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. December 2, 1984. 39. White, Brian. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017153113/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133296717/. live.
  11. News: Hobbins easily psyched for Badgers. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. November 7, 1985. 37, 40. White, Brian. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154140/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133296830/. live.
  12. News: Injured Hobbins ponders future. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. August 28, 1987. 17, 20. McGinn, Bob. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154619/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133297784/. live.
  13. Web site: Jim Hobbins Stats. Pro Football Archives. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154619/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerh/hobb00200.html. live.
  14. News: Hobbins comes home for tryout. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. May 2, 1987. 17. McGinn, Bob. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154620/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133297650/. live.
  15. News: Woodley, Hobbins among 12 players cut by Packers. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. August 31, 1987. 49. McGinn, Bob. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154621/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133297990/. live.
  16. News: Packer replacements excited about Vikings' game. Chippewa Herald-Telegram. Newspapers.com. September 30, 1987. 11. Associated Press. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154621/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chippewa-herald-telegram/133298123/. live.
  17. Web site: Jim Hobbins Career Game Log. Pro-Football-Reference.com. October 12, 2023. September 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150922150618/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HobbJi20/gamelog//. live.
  18. Web site: Jim Hobbins NFL Transactions. Pro Football Archives. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017154621/https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionsh/hobb00200.html. live.
  19. News: Bombers' 'Grandpa' played for Packers. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. April 9, 1998. 21, 26. Murphy, Patrick Jr.. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017155125/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133298463/. live.
  20. News: Five Bombers players are all-league first team. The Post-Crescent. Newspapers.com. August 5, 1998. 38. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017155126/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent/133298708/. live.
  21. News: Murto-Hobbins. Green Bay Press-Gazette. Newspapers.com. March 5, 1986. 42. October 12, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017155127/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133297097/. live.

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