There may be no more obscure position on an NFL team than backup offensive lineman.
The average NFL fan may be hard-pressed to name the backup offensive linemen on his favorite team.
Despite this lack of recognition, backup offensive linemen also can contribute to team success.
Such was the case with Jim Copeland.
Over his eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns from 1967 to 1974, Copeland was a backup offensive lineman who contributed to four Browns division champion teams and five Browns playoff teams.
We take a look at the life of Jim Copeland – before, during, and after his NFL playing career.
The Early Years Before College
Wyatte James (“Jim”) Copeland Jr. was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on March 5, 1945.
Copeland’s parents were Wyatte James Copeland Sr. and Dorothy Wood Copeland.
Charlottesville is located in north central Virginia.
When Copeland was growing up there, Charlottesville had a population of approximately 20,000 to 30,000 persons.
Copeland attended Lane High School in Charlottesville.
After graduating from Lane High School, Copeland remained in Charlottesville to attend the University of Virginia (“Virginia”).
The College Years
Copeland earned letters playing football at Virginia in 1964, 1965, and 1966.
In 1964, Copeland primarily was a backup offensive lineman, playing center.
Virginia posted a 5-5 record in 1964.
Copeland became a regular starting offensive lineman in 1965.
He principally played right tackle.
In 1965, Virginia had a 4-6 record.
Copeland again was a regular starting offensive lineman, principally playing right tackle, for the Cavaliers in 1966.
Virginia again had a 4-6 record in 1966.
Copeland graduated from Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government in 1967.
After playing football at Virginia, Copeland headed to the NFL.
The Pro Football Years
1967-1970
The Cleveland Browns drafted Copeland in the 10th round of the 1967 NFL draft. Copeland was the 255th overall pick.
In 1967, Copeland joined linebacker Billy Andrews, flanker Eppie Barney, running back Larry Conjar, defensive back Ben Davis, guard John Demarie, tight end Ron Duncan, wide receiver Ron Green, defensive end Jack Gregory, middle linebacker Bob Matheson, tackle Joe Taffoni, and defensive back Carl Ward, as one of 12 rookies to make Cleveland’s roster.
Copeland, playing at a height of six feet and three inches and a weight of 243 pounds, played in all 14, but did not start any, regular season games in 1967.
In 1967, Copeland was part of a Cleveland offense that ranked in the NFL regular season seventh in total points scored (334), tied for sixth in passing touchdowns (22), first in rushing yards (2,139), tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns (15), and first in average yards per rushing attempt (4.8), and that had four players (future Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback Leroy Kelly, future Pro Football Hall of Fame right guard Gene Hickerson, left tackle Dick Schafrath, and fullback Ernie Green) invited to the Pro Bowl.
In addition, Copeland was part of Cleveland’s “special teams” in 1967, which ranked in the NFL regular season third in kickoff return yards (1,396), second in average yards per kickoff return (25.4), first in punt return yards (357), first in average yards per punt return (10.2), eighth in fewest kickoff return yards allowed (1,288), fourth in lowest average yards per kickoff return allowed (21.8), second in fewest punt return yards allowed (70), and second in lowest average yards per punt return allowed (2.4).
The Browns, with a 9-5 record, won the NFL Century Division title in 1967.
Cleveland advanced to play the Dallas Cowboys in the 1967 NFL playoffs on December 24, 1967.
Copeland played in, but did not start, the game, as Dallas defeated the Browns 52-14.
In 1968, Copeland again played in all 14, but did not start any, regular season games.
Copeland, in 1968, was part of a Cleveland offense that ranked in the NFL regular season third in total points scored (394), second in total passing and rushing yards (4,889), fourth in passing yards (2,858), second in passing touchdowns (27), second in average yards per passing attempt (8.4), first in fewest sacks allowed (21), third in rushing yards (2,031), third in rushing touchdowns (20), and second in average yards per rushing attempt (4.5), and that had five players (Leroy Kelly, future Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield, Gene Hickerson, tight end Milt Morin, and Dick Schafrath) invited to the Pro Bowl.
In 1968, Copeland also was part of Cleveland’s “special teams”, which ranked in the NFL regular season tied for third in fewest punt return yards allowed (120) and sixth in lowest average yards per punt return allowed (5.2).
With a 10-4 record, in 1968, the Browns again won the NFL Century Division title.
In the 1968 NFL playoffs, Cleveland first played the Dallas Cowboys on December 21, 1968.
Copeland played in, but did not start, the game, as the Browns defeated the Cowboys 31-20.
Cleveland then advanced to the 1968 NFL championship game against the Baltimore Colts on December 29, 1968.
Copeland again played in, but did not start, the game, as the Browns lost to Baltimore 34-0.
In 1969, Copeland played in eight, but did not start any, regular season games.
Copeland was part of a Cleveland offense that ranked in the 1969 NFL regular season third in total points scored (351), fifth in total passing and rushing yards (4.428), tied for second in passing touchdowns (24), fourth in average yards per passing attempt (7.5), third in fewest sacks allowed (20), fifth in rushing yards (1,788), tied for first in rushing touchdowns (17), and tied for sixth in average yards per rushing attempt (4.0), and that had five players (Leroy Kelly, Paul Warfield, Gene Hickerson, quarterback Bill Nelsen, and center Fred Hoaglin) invited to the Pro Bowl for 1969.
In addition, Copeland, in 1969, was part of Cleveland’s “special teams”, which ranked in the NFL regular season eighth in average yards per kickoff return (21.4), tied for sixth in lowest average yards per kickoff return allowed (20.8), second in fewest punt return yards allowed (72), and second in lowest average yards per punt return allowed (3.6).
The Browns had a 10-3-1 record in 1969 and won the NFL Century Division title for a third consecutive year.
Cleveland, in the 1969 NFL playoffs, first played the Dallas Cowboys on December 28, 1969.
Copeland played in, but did not start, the game, as the Browns defeated the Cowboys 38-14, eliminating Dallas from the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
The following week, on January 4, 1970, in the 1969 NFL championship game, Cleveland met the Minnesota Vikings.
Copeland again played in, but did not start, the game, as the Browns lost to Minnesota 27-7.
Copeland played in all 14, but did not start any, regular season games in 1970.
In 1970, Copeland was part of a Cleveland offense that ranked in the NFL regular season seventh in total passing and rushing yards (4,161), fifth in passing yards (2,582), second in fewest sacks allowed (16), and tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns (14), and that had two players (Leroy Kelly and Gene Hickerson) invited to the Pro Bowl.
Copeland also was part of Cleveland’s “special teams”, which ranked in the 1970 NFL regular season eighth in fewest kickoff return yards allowed (956), second in fewest punt return yards allowed (83), and third in lowest average yards per punt return allowed (3.6).
The Browns had a 7-7 record in 1970.
1971-1974
Copeland saw his most playing time as a starting offensive lineman in 1971.
He played in all 14, and started seven, regular season games in 1971.
Because of an injury to starter Fred Hoaglin, Copeland started his first NFL regular season game on November 7, 1971 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Copeland’s play at center contributed to Leroy Kelly rushing for 102 yards on 22 rushing attempts, but Cleveland lost to the Steelers 26-9.
The following week, on November 14, 1971, Copeland again started at center and helped the Browns not allow a sack and wide receiver Frank Pitts catch five passes for 129 yards.
However, Cleveland lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 13-7.
In the next game, on November 21, 1971, with Copeland again starting at center, Leroy Kelly rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown on 23 rushing attempts, as the Browns defeated the New England Patriots 27-7.
The following week, on November 28, 1971, in a 37-24 Cleveland victory over the Houston Oilers, Copeland again started at center and helped Leroy Kelly rush for 107 yards and one touchdown on 23 rushing attempts.
In the next game, on December 5, 1971, Copeland again started at center, and his play contributed to the Browns not allowing a sack, Leroy Kelly rushing for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 23 rushing attempts, and Frank Pitts catching five passes for 103 yards and one touchdown.
Cleveland (which accumulated 406 total yards) defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 31-27.
The following week, on December 12, 1971, Copeland started his sixth consecutive game at center, and he contributed to the Browns winning their fourth consecutive game, 21-17 over the New Orleans Saints.
The following week, on December 19, 1971, Copeland started at a different position on the offensive line.
Copeland replaced regular starter John Demarie (who had an injury) at left guard and helped Cleveland win its fifth consecutive game, 20-13 over the Washington Redskins.
Copeland’s play contributed to the Browns offense ranking in the 1971 NFL regular season tied for sixth in fewest sacks allowed (22) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (19), and having two players (Leroy Kelly and Milt Morin) being invited to the Pro Bowl for 1971.
In addition, Copeland was part of Cleveland’s “special teams”, which ranked in the 1971 NFL regular season third in punt return yards (359) and third in average yards per punt return (9.0).
The Browns posted a 9-5 record in 1971 and won the AFC Central Division title.
In connection with the merger of the American Football League and the NFL, Cleveland had moved from the NFL Century Division to the AFC Central Division in 1970.
In the 1971 NFL playoffs, the Browns met the Baltimore Colts on December 26, 1971.
Copeland started the game at center, but Cleveland lost to Baltimore 20-3.
In 1972, Copeland started the opening regular season game at center, a 26-10 Browns loss to the Green Bay Packers on September 17, 1972.
However, Copeland suffered a dislocated hip and saw no further action in 1972.
Cleveland, with a 10-4 record, was a “wild card” team, earning another playoff berth, in 1972.
However, in the 1972 NFL playoffs, the Browns lost to the Miami Dolphins 20-14 on December 24, 1972.
Copeland, in 1973, returned to action and played in all 14 regular season games and started one regular season game.
He started at center in place of regular starter Bob DeMarco in a 26-3 Cleveland loss to the Minnesota Vikings on November 4, 1973.
In 1973, Copeland was part of Browns offensive and “special teams” units that ranked in the NFL regular season fifth in lowest average yards per punt return allowed (6.1), and that had one player (running back/”returner” Greg Pruitt) invited to the Pro Bowl.
Cleveland had a 7-5-2 record in 1973.
In 1974, Copeland played in two, but did not start any, regular season games.
Copeland was part of Browns offensive and “special teams” units that ranked in the 1974 NFL regular season tied for fifth in average yards per rushing attempt (4.2), fourth in kickoff return yards (1,375), tied for fifth in average yards per kickoff return (22.9), and sixth in punt return yards (523), and that had one player (Greg Pruitt) invited to the Pro Bowl for 1974.
In 1974, Cleveland had a 4-10 record.
Copeland’s last season in the NFL was 1974.
The Years After Professional Football
Copeland was married to Susan and had three children, Jennie, Wyatte James III, and Matthew.
From 1974 to 1978, Copeland served as the field secretary for the Virginia Student Aid Foundation (now known as the Virginia Athletics Foundation).
In 1976, Copeland earned a Master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Virginia.
Copeland spent most of his work life after his retirement from the NFL in athletics administration.
After working as an assistant athletics director at the University of Missouri from 1978 to 1981, Copeland served as athletics director at the College of William and Mary, the University of Utah, Virginia (from 1987 to 1994), and Southern Methodist University.
In 2009, Copeland was inducted in the Hall of Fame for the National Association of Collegiate Directors.
On June 4, 2010, Copeland died from cancer in Charlottesville.
http://bit.ly/aF5pgp Former Browns OL Jim Copeland passed away Friday after a long battle with cancer.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 8, 2010
He was 65 years old.
Copeland was praised after his death.
Craig Littlepage, Virginia director of intercollegiate athletics programs, said:
“The growth of the U.Va. athletics program was impacted significantly by Jim Copeland’s leadership as our athletics director. . . . Jim’s biggest contributions, however, were in his character, integrity and his professionalism. He was enthusiastic in his attention to the welfare of all student-athletes, particularly in matters related to equity. I will greatly miss his guidance, his friendship and his wonderful sense of humor.”
John Swofford, Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner, stated:
“[Copeland] was a very principled person with great integrity, and he was a wonderful friend as well as professional colleague. I have long appreciated Jim for his leadership and vision.”
In reflecting on Copeland’s NFL career with the Browns, three points should be noted.
First, while Copeland principally was a backup offensive lineman, he did start nine regular season games.
Most importantly, he was the starter at center (four games) and left guard (one game) during Cleveland’s five game winning streak at the end of the 1971 regular season that helped the Browns win the 1971 AFC Central Division title.
Second, even when Copeland did not start on the offensive line, he still helped Cleveland with his play on “special teams”.
Third, while it is harder to quantify, Copeland also undoubtedly helped the Browns with his actions away from games – practicing, mentoring, and providing moral support.
Copeland’s eight seasons with Cleveland from 1967 to 1974 generally correspond to a period of success for the Browns.
During this time period, Cleveland had only one losing season, made the playoffs five times, was division champion four times, won two playoff games, and advanced to two NFL championship games (twice just missing the Super Bowl by one game).
In addition, during these eight seasons, Cleveland’s offensive and “special teams” units regularly ranked high in various league statistical categories and had many players receive Pro Bowl invitations.
Football is a team game, and it requires productive efforts, during games and away from games, by many players for a team to be successful.
While players like Leroy Kelly will grab the headlines, it takes a host of contributing players to help Leroy Kelly win games, accrue statistics, and receive Pro Bowl invitations.
Jim Copeland’s productive efforts, during games and away from games, helped the Browns achieve team success in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.
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