2026 Countdown to Kickoff: 20 Days Until Horned Frog Football
Jack Spikes was both an All-Southwest Conference player and an All-American at TCU.
As the countdown to TCU's 2026 football season opener against North Carolina approaches on August 29 in Dublin, Ireland, fans are being reminded of a former Horned Frog whose jersey number matches the remaining days. Former TCU running back Jack Spikes, who wore No. 20 during his career, is the subject of this special recognition.
Spikes, a versatile player known for his skills as a fullback, halfback, and place kicker, enjoyed a successful college career at TCU from 1955 to 1958. As a fullback from 1955 to 1956 and a halfback from 1957 to 1958, he rushed for an impressive 1,555 yards and nine touchdowns in 30 games, achieving an average of 4.6 yards per carry each season. His outstanding performance earned him All-Southwest Conference First Team honors in both 1958 and 1959, along with All-American status and the Cotton Bowl MVP award in 1959.
His talents extended beyond rushing, as Spikes also excelled as a place kicker, contributing significantly to TCU's offensive arsenal. Following his collegiate career, Spikes embarked on an impressive professional journey, playing in both the NFL and AFL. Selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 1960, he helped the Dallas Texans secure the 1962 AFL Championship. Over eight seasons in the AFL, Spikes amassed 1,693 rushing yards, scored 18 touchdowns, made 20 field goals, and added 75 extra points in 86 games.
Spikes' impressive career continued as he played for the Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills before retiring. A testament to his contributions to TCU football, Spikes was inducted into the TCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978, cementing his legacy as one of the university's most accomplished athletes.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
