Former Purdue All American WR and NFL player for both Houston and San Diego, Jim Beirne, has passed away at age 74 after a long illness. Jim was Purdue first high volume receiver with 138 receptions for more than 1700 yards and 17 touchdowns during his Boilermaker career. He was a key member of the offense for 1967 Rose Bowl team. He was recruited out of McKeesport, Pa by former Boilermaker player and coach Alan Hager who himself hailed from McKeesport. He was a 4th round pick of the Oilers in 1968 and played nine seasons in the NFL with the bulk of them for the Oilers. He caught 142 passes for more than 2000 yards and 11 scores in his career. Jim settled in Houston and was in the home building business. I had the good fortune to get to know him and he was a great husband, father and friend. He was a loyal Boilermaker who seldom missed a JPC gathering. I Hope he and Leroy are reuniting with lots of great stories and some outings on heaven’s best 18.
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