Submitted Content

Jim McMillen, Class of 1920, LHS athletic star

Posted January 16, 2018 10:00 pm

By Dale Eggert on behalf of Libertyville High School

Courtesy of Dale EggertJim McMillen's LHS senior year picture, Class of 1920.

• The following is part of an ongoing series of articles in celebration of Libertyville High School's 100th anniversary.

Jim McMillen came to Libertyville High School (then called Libertyville Township High School) in the fall of 1918 for his junior year. He was a Grayslake resident but Grayslake's schools only went through the 10th grade. During his final two years of high school at LTHS he was a star for football and basketball. He was the team's fullback his senior year as the team won their first six games. Jim got hurt and couldn't play in the final game, which they lost.

From LTHS Jim went to the University of Illinois where he was a two time All-American lineman for the U of I, blocking for teammate Red Grange. He was elected captain for his senior year in 1923 when they finished undefeated and selected the national champions by several polls. He graduated from the U of I with a degree in engineering.

The next stop for Jim was to the Chicago Bears for the 1924 season led by owner, head coach, and wide receiver George Halas. The Bears would win the NFL title in 1924.

Jim played for the Bears from 1924-28. In the off-season he got involved with professional wrestling. By 1928 he was making more money with pro wrestling so he gave up football to go full time in wrestling.

Jim never forgot his former teammate and coach George Halas. He became a minority owner of the Bears. He even played in a few Bears games in the 1930s, when the Bears were struggling with injuries.

Jim stayed with pro wrestling until 1950. He got several title bouts because of the name he made in professional football including a 1928 bout with Ed "Strangler" Lewis. He fought Jim Londos in a sold out (22,000 people) Madison Square Garden in 1931.

When LHS wanted to do a fundraiser in 1953, they got Jim to bring some pro wrestlers to the school for a series of bouts, which he officiated.

Jim never got far away from Lake County. He got involved in many civic activities including being the mayor of Antioch (1952-58) and being on the Antioch School Board. During World War II Jim was a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy (1941-45).

Jim died in 1984 at the age of 81. Thanks to the Grayslake Historical Society for their help in this article.

Courtesy of Dale EggertJim McMillen at Libertyville High School in fall, 1919.

Courtesy of Dale EggertJim McMillen's University of Illinois Football All-American plaque, hanging below "Red" Grange's.

Courtesy of the Chicago BearsThe 1924 Chicago Bears. Jim McMillen is in the top row, third from right; George Halas is front row, far left.

Courtesy of the Grayslake Historical SocietyJim Mcmillen, right, before his title bout with Ed "Strangler" Lewis.

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