Jim Finks was a prominent figure in the NFL, known for his work as both a player and an executive. He is best remembered for his role as the general manager and executive vice president of the Minnesota Vikings during their 1970s heyday and later for his successful tenure as the general manager of the New Orleans Saints.

Early Life and College Career

Full Name: James Edward Finks
Born: July 14, 1927
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

High School:

• Finks attended Gage Park High School in Chicago, where he was a standout athlete, excelling in both football and basketball.

College:

• He played college football at Southern Illinois University, where he was a talented quarterback. Finks was known for his leadership skills and ability to manage the game from the quarterback position.

NFL Playing Career

Position: Quarterback
NFL Team: Chicago Bears (1949–1956)

• Chicago Bears:
  • Finks was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1949 NFL Draft and played for the team from 1949 to 1956.
  • He was a solid backup quarterback for the Bears, but he did not start regularly during his playing career. His best season as a player came in 1953, when he saw more playing time. Though he didn’t have an extensive starting career, he was known for his leadership and work ethic during his time as a quarterback in the NFL.

Executive Career

After retiring from playing, Jim Finks transitioned into an executive role, where he found his true calling and had a lasting impact on the NFL.

Minnesota Vikings (1961–1963)

• General Manager:
  • Finks joined the Minnesota Vikings in 1961 as the team’s general manager.
  • He helped shape the Vikings’ roster during the early years of the franchise. His ability to evaluate talent and make key acquisitions was instrumental in the team’s success during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly when the Vikings became a dominant force in the NFL.
• Key Contributions:
  • Under Finks’ leadership, the Vikings became a competitive team, eventually reaching four Super Bowls during the 1970s. His successful management of personnel helped build the strong teams of the early 1970s, known for their “Purple People Eaters” defense.

New Orleans Saints (1967–1974)

• General Manager:
  • In 1967, Finks became the first general manager of the newly established New Orleans Saints, a position he held until 1974.
  • Finks helped shape the foundation of the Saints’ franchise, making important decisions on player acquisitions and team-building strategies that eventually led to the Saints becoming a competitive team in the 1970s.

Chicago Bears (1974–1983)

• Executive Vice President:
  • After his time with the Saints, Finks returned to the Chicago Bears in 1974 as the executive vice president.
  • He played a key role in building the team that won Super Bowl XX in 1985. Finks helped assemble a team that was both talented and disciplined, with a focus on defense and strong leadership.

Legacy

• Minnesota Vikings:
  • Jim Finks’ work as general manager with the Minnesota Vikings is often credited with laying the groundwork for the team’s success in the 1970s. He was instrumental in assembling a roster that included key players such as Alan Page, Carl Eller, and Fran Tarkenton, all of whom were crucial to the team’s success during that period.
• New Orleans Saints:
  • Finks is also remembered for being a foundational figure in the creation of the New Orleans Saints. He helped establish the team’s early identity and played a critical role in their initial roster-building and franchise development.
• Chicago Bears:
  • Finks’ work with the Chicago Bears, particularly in assembling the team that would eventually win Super Bowl XX, helped cement his legacy as a key figure in NFL management.

Post-NFL Life

• After retiring from active management, Finks stayed involved in various business ventures and was respected as one of the top minds in NFL management.
• He passed away on March 12, 1994, but his legacy lives on through the success of the teams he helped build.

Summary

• Position: Quarterback (NFL Player), General Manager and Executive (NFL Executive)
• NFL Teams: Chicago Bears (Player), Minnesota Vikings (General Manager), New Orleans Saints (General Manager), Chicago Bears (Executive Vice President)
• Career Length: 19 seasons as an executive, 8 seasons as a player
• Key Contributions: General manager for Vikings’ success in the 1970s, foundational figure for the New Orleans Saints, architect of Bears’ Super Bowl XX-winning team.
• Legacy: One of the most respected NFL executives in history, known for his ability to build competitive and championship-contending teams.

Jim Finks’ impact on the NFL as both a player and a front-office executive is significant. He played a major role in building championship-level teams and shaping the future of the league, especially with the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears. His legacy as a skilled evaluator of talent and an influential leader in NFL management continues to be recognized.