Jim Papai Jr.

2018 Inductee – Athlete, Football

Jim Papai JrJim Papai Jr. is the son of Jim Sr. and Julie Papai, founders and owners of Jim’s Gym, one of the first private weight training facilities in the City of Brantford. Jim Sr. was inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition in 1997 as an Honouree - Body Building. Jim was raised, attended school, and participated in many sports activities in Brantford throughout his life and still resides in Brantford today.

Click to view an interview with Jim Papai Jr.

List of accomplishments:

  • Member of the Brantford Bantam minor baseball 1963 All Ontario Championship team.
  • He was enrolled at St. John’s College and played football for fellow Sports Hall Honouree, Monsignor Harvey Roach in 1965. After high school Jim played as a member of the Brantford Bison’s ORU in 1966 where the team went on to be Ontario ORU Champions. In 1967 Jim was invited to the attended the Hamilton Tiger-Cat rookie spring assessment camp. Where several US University scouts took interest in him, including Notre Dame and University of North Carolina (UNC). Jim accepted a full athletic scholarship at University of North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference under the legendary coach Bill Dooley.
  • He was a member of the UNC Tar Heel team 1967-71, earning a starting guard position in 1968. He was a team mate of the legendary running back Don McCauley who led the nation in rushing and later played several years with the Baltimore Colts.
  • Jim played in two university football bowls - 1970 Peach Bowl vs University of Georgia and the 1971 Gator Bowl vs University of Arizona.
  • Jim was not only a talented athlete, but is also academically inclined, receiving the Athletic Coast Conference Academic achievement award in 1971 and graduated with a degree in Geography from the University of North Carolina.
  • In 1972 Jim was drafted to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats alongside fellow Sports Hall Inductee Dave Clarke. That same year the Tiger-Cats won the 1972 Grey Championship against Saskatchewan.
  • In 1973 Jim was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos but preferred to stay in Ontario so he decided it was time to retire from football.
  • After leaving Hamilton Jim moved back to Brantford and took up Rugby with the Brantford Harlequins. He played with them for several years playing with both with Dave Clarke and fellow Sports Hall Inductee Bob McGeein. Jim played on the Ontario provincial championship team in 1976, later playing in the national championship game vs British Columbia.
  • Jim is now retired, though he is a member on the Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni executive and still resides in Brantford.