Jim Whitaker
 | Event:
Football, 1965-66
| | Hall of Fame Class:
2000
| |
A standout defensive back who was known for his jarring hits in the secondary. Lettered for Dan Devine's teams in 1965-66, and was part of Tiger teams that went 14-5-2 and won the 1966 Sugar Bowl over Steve Spurrier and the Florida Gators. Whitaker was selected as the team co-captain his senior season, and won all-Big Eight and academic all-Big Eight honors that season. He led MU in interceptions as a senior, with six for 113 yards, including a critical interception return for a touchdown that produced a 21-14 victory over Illinois, in Champaign. An outstanding student, the Kansas City, Mo. native received the prestigious NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship in 1967. He currently resides in the Kansas City area, where he is a surgeon.
