Jim Mutscheller

File:Jim Mutscheller 1960.jpg

Mutscheller in 1960

James 'Bucky' Mutscheller (March 31, 1930 – April 10, 2015) was an American professional football player who was a tight end for nine seasons with the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Early life and education

Mutscheller was born on March 31, 1930, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where he played football, basketball, and baseball at Beaver Falls High School. He then played three seasons of football at University of Notre Dame under coach Frank Leahy from 1949 to 1951, including on the 1949 national championship team. Mutscheller played both defensive end and offense for the Fighting Irish, and served as team captain his senior year.

Professional football

The New York Yanks drafted Mutscheller, but by the time his two-year stint in the Marines ended, the Baltimore Colts had acquired his contract. Mutscheller played for the Colts from 1954 to 1961, amassing 220 catches, 3685 yards, and 40 touchdowns.

NFL career statistics

Legend
	Won the NFL championship
	Led the league
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
1954	BAL	12	3	1	49	49.0	49	0
1955	BAL	12	12	33	518	15.7	48	7
1956	BAL	12	12	44	715	16.3	53	6
1957	BAL	12	11	32	558	17.4	66	8
1958	BAL	12	12	28	504	18.0	54	7
1959	BAL	12	12	44	699	15.9	40	8
1960	BAL	11	9	18	271	15.1	43	2
1961	BAL	12	12	20	370	18.5	45	2
		95	83	220	3,684	16.7	66	40

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Receiving
		GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
1958	BAL	1	1	3	46	15.3	32	0
1959	BAL	1	1	5	40	8.0	15	0
		2	2	8	86	10.8	32	0

Accolades

In 1976, Mutscheller was inducted into the inaugural class of the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame.

Death

He died of kidney failure on April 10, 2015 in Towson, Maryland at age 85.