Jim Nance (December 30, 1942 - June 16, 1992) was a fullback with the Boston Patriots during their days in the American Football League. Starting for three years at Syracuse University, he tied the school record for career touchdowns (13) and led the Orange in rushing in 1964, scoring in ten straight games. Nance was a late-round draft choice of the Patriots in the 1965 AFL Draft, as well as a fourth-round choice of the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL Draft. Nance signed with the Patriots. Though his rookie season was unimpressive, he led the AFL in rushing the next two seasons. He went on to become the only AFL player ever to rush for more than 1,400 yards in a season. At 6'-1" and 243 pounds, Nance was a classic fullback who carried 299 times in 1966, for 11 touchdowns and 1,458 yards. That season, he rushed for 208 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-21 victory over the Oakland Raiders.
Nance was an American Football League All-Star in 1966, when he also received the league’s Most Valuable Player award, and an All-Star again in 1967 when he became the only AFL player to have two seasons in which he rushed for over 1,000 yards, this time for 1,216. He retired as the Patriots’ all-time leading rusher, and still holds the team record for career touchdowns, 45. In 1972 he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles but refused to play for them, temporarily retiring. He joined the New York Jets the following year before ending his pro football career in 1975 with the Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League.
