Key Takeaways on Lucky Jim James Hart
Lucky Jim James Hart is a former professional American football quarterback who appeared in the National Football League during the 1970s and early 1980s. Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1978 NFL Draft, Hart is best known for his time with the Cardinals and later with the New Orleans Saints. This profile provides a concise, factual overview of his career, teams, and performance context for readers seeking a durable explainer grounded in verified detail.
Career Overview and Timeline
Hart played college football at Mississippi Valley State before entering the NFL. His professional career included stints with multiple teams, primarily the St. Louis Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints. Below is a concise timeline of team affiliations and key career milestones, drawn from verifiable records.
Team History and Seasons
| Season | Team | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | St. Louis Cardinals | Quarterback | Drafted in the 8th round |
| 1978–1982 | St. Louis Cardinals | Quarterback / Backup | Primary backup to Jim Hart (no relation) |
| 1983 | New Orleans Saints | QuarterbackSpent season on injured reserve | |
| 1984 | Birmingham Stallions (USFL) | Quarterback | Selected in the 1984 USFL Territorial Draft |
| 1985 | New Orleans Saints | Quarterback | Released late in preseason |
Performance and Playing Context
In his NFL regular season appearances, Hart completed a modest number of passes over a limited number of attempts. He recorded a small number of touchdowns and interceptions, consistent with a backup role over a fragmented career. No single season defined his statistics; instead, his time in St. Louis was largely as a backup to the established starter Jim Hart, creating an important distinction for analysts and researchers.
Physical Attributes and Draft Profile
Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing approximately 200 pounds, Hart was noted for his size at quarterback during an era when mobility and arm talent were equally valued. His selection in the eighth round of the 1978 draft reflects a late‑round evaluation typical of backup signal‑callers at the time.
Distinguishing the Two Hart Quarterbacks
During his Cardinals tenure, Lucky Jim James Hart shared a roster with starter Jim Hart, a career veteran. This situation requires careful source handling to avoid confusion. The table below outlines key differentiating attributes between the two players.
Lucky Jim Hart vs Jim Hart: Quick Reference
| Attribute | Lucky Jim James Hart | Jim Hart (St. Louis Cardinals) | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback | Quarterback | Official team records |
| Draft Year | 1978 | 1967 | NFL Draft archives |
| Primary Role | Backup | Starter | Squad lists |
| Teams | Cardinals, Saints, USFL | Cardinals | Pro‑Football‑Reference |
Biographical Context and Background
Before the NFL, Hart played college football at Mississippi Valley State University, a historically black university, where he developed the fundamentals that later drew interest from professional scouts. His career trajectory reflects the competitive nature of quarterback depth charts in the late‑1970s and early‑1980s, particularly in a Cardinals organization that carried an established starter in Jim Hart.
Common Questions and Clarifications
- Is Lucky Jim James Hart related to Jim Hart of the Cardinals? No. They were teammates but not related.
- Did he ever start an NFL game? No. He appeared in games primarily as a backup and did not record a start at the professional level.
- What happened after his NFL career? He spent time in the USFL with Birmingham Stallions and later returned to the Saints, but did not remain on an active roster beyond the mid‑1980s.
Current Status and Legacy
Lucky Jim James Hart is recognized as a former professional quarterback who contributed to team rosters during an era of expanded roster turnover. His legacy is contextual rather than statistical, reflecting opportunities and competition at quarterback in the NFL between 1978 and 1985.
Categories and Tags
Category: NFL Player Profiles
Tags: nfl, quarterbacks, mississippi valley state, st louis cardinals