Jim Bertelsen

As a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin in 1969 he, James Street, Steve Worster, and Ted Koy led the Longhorns to a national championship using the wishbone option offense. He was named a 3rd-string All-American that year. In 1970 he again helped lead Texas to the National Championship, though they lost the Cotton Bowl, as he was named all-conference. As a senior and a team captain in 1971, Bertlesen was the team's lead ground gainer, leading them to a 3rd straight Southwest Conference Championship and making the All-Conference team again. He was named to the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1995. ==Professional career==

Bertelsen was selected in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams with the 30th overall pick. For the Rams he was also a kick and punt returner. He averaged four yards per carry as a pro, and rushed for 854 yards in 1973. In 1974 he had 1395 all-purpose yards and 5 TDs earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl and he was the Rams leading rusher in the 1974 NFC Championship game. He played in another NFC Championship game with the Rams in 1976. He was released by the Rams a few days before the start of the 1977 regular season due to an injury. Later that season, the Colts considered him as a free agent replacement for the injured Roosevelt Leaks. ==Later life==

After his NFL career, Bertelsen returned to the Austin area where he owned and trained racehorses, owned and operated a bar and then moved into sales positions in the construction field and then the oil business where he worked until his retirement in 2013. He died on May 7, 2021. He was divorced at the time of his death. He had a son, a daughter and a granddaughter. ==NFL career statistics==

Regular season Playoffs ==References==