Hall of Fame
Jim Tolbert is another great Lincoln defender who spent time in the NFL. Tolbert, along with fellow inductees Burkes and Johnson, is one of four players to hold the school single season record in interceptions. Tolbert set the mark first, accomplishing the feat with seven interceptions during the 1963 campaign. A four-year letter-winner from 1963-66, Tolbert was a two-way player for the Blue Tigers, splitting time as both a wide receiver and defensive back. Following his sophomore, junior and senior seasons Tolbert was voted All-MWAA. Lincoln posted a winning record in three of his four seasons, including finishing the 1965 campaign with an 8-2 record that led to the Pittsburgh Courier voting the Blue Tigers No. 5 in the nation. Tolbert was also the team co-captain of the 1966 squad that finished 7-2.
Tolbert was drafted in the seventh round of the American Football League draft by the San Diego Chargers. He played as both a defensive back and a kick returner for the Chargers and, in 1967, averaged 24.5 yards per return, the fifth-best in the league. Tolbert, who is one of 14 Lincoln players to play professional football, ended up spending 11 years as a pro, including seven with the Chargers, three with the St. Louis Cardinals and one with the Houston Oilers.
