Jim Ninowski, former Michigan State football and Detroit Lions quarterback, died on Tuesday, July 23, at the age of 88, his family confirmed.
Ninowski was a standout athlete at Pershing High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball before moving on to East Lansing.
Ninowski began his illustrious football career under great MSU coach Duffy Daugherty. Ninowski led the Spartans to the 1957 national championship during his senior season before moving on to the NFL.
The quarterback was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1958 and spent two seasons with them before joining his hometown team, the Lions. He played for Detroit in 1960 and 1961, starting 18 games and going 9-8-1. After two seasons with the Lions, Ninowski returned to Cleveland for the next five years of his career, followed by two years in Washington and the final year with the New Orleans Saints.
According to football reference, Ninowski threw for 7,133 yards and 34 touchdowns in his career while completing 49% of his passes.
“Jim leaves a legacy of what living with true integrity and love looks like,” his family noted in his obituary. “His great sense of humor and belly laugh, regardless of the situation, left a contagious and good effect wherever he went. Even in the difficult and uncomfortable months leading up to his death, Jim never lost his smile, gratitude, or capacity to find humor in any situation.
This story has been updated to reflect that Ninowski and the Spartans won the 1957 national championship, but did not win the Rose Bowl that year.