Jimmy Lawrence†
Inducted 1989
Hometown: Harlingen
High School: Harlingen High School
College: Texas Christian University
Best Known for: Athlete – Football
March 15, 1913-January 1, 1990
Lawrence was a speedy running back who starred for Harlingen High School and then Texas Christian University in college, with enough talent to play four NFL seasons in late 1930s.
The greatest in a long line of Lawrences at Harlingen, Jimmy led Dutch Rektorik's Cardinals to the playoffs three times and was also one of the Valley's best basketball players.
The 5-11, 190-pounder made All-Southwest Conference three times for the Horned Frogs under Coach Dutch Meyer, playing alongside legendary Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh. TCU won a national title in 1935. He was elected to the TCU Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
Lawrence was the first SWC player selected in the inaugural NFL draft in 1936 as the fifth overall pick and went on to play for the Chicago Cardinals and Green Bay Packers. Traded from the Cards to the Packers in 1939, he was a member of the NFL champ Packers that year.
Afterward, Lawrence returned to the Valley and became one of the area's leading football officials.