Jim Phillips

This article is about the Auburn and NFL player. For other uses, see Jim Phillips (disambiguation).

James J. "Red" Phillips (born February 5, 1936 in Alexander City; died March 25, 2015 in Auburn) was a wide receiver for the Auburn Tigers, Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings. He was also an NFL assistant coach and an insurance agent and regulator.

Phillips was part of the first class at Benjamin Russell High School and he was a member of the Wildcats' baseball, basketball, track and football teams. His exploits for Hamp Lyons' football team earned him several scholarship offers, and he chose to attend Auburn.

Phillips continued to excel as a speedy two-way end for Shug Jordan's Tigers. He was named to the All-Southeastern Conference first team in 1955, and was All-SEC and All-American during his senior season, during which the 1957 Auburn Tigers football team went 10-0 and were honored as the AP's National Champion.

Phillips studied business administration. He married the former Mickey Kennedy in March 1957. The Los Angeles Rams made him the fifth overall pick in the 1958 NFL draft. Over the next seven seasons, Phillips was named to the Pro Bowl three times. He led the NFL with 78 receptions in 1961. He was traded to the Vikings in 1965 and retired from playing after the 1967 season to accept a coaching position with the Atlanta Falcons. Over the course of his coaching career, Phillips also worked with the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, and Florida State Seminoles.

Phillips returned to Alexander City and continued to work as an insurance agent with State Farm. After thirteen years he went to work for the Alabama Department of Insurance.

Phillips was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

References

• Granger, David (March 25, 2015) "Community mourns loss of AU legend 'Red' Phillips" Alexander City Outlook