Former University of Texas quarterback James Street died Monday morning in his Austin home after suffering a heart attack. He was 65 years old.
Street played for Coach Darrell K. Royal from 1966 to 1969. He won all 20 games he started as quarterback – a feat no other Longhorn quarterback has repeated.
The Longview, Texas native stood out for his small stature, but he was known for making up for his height with tenacity and a ruthless sense of competition.
Street is best remembered by Longhorn football fans for leading the Horns past Arkansas in what many call the “Game of the Century” in 1969. With the Longhorns down 14-0 in the fourth quarter, Street made a crucial 42-yard running play and 44-yard passing play to keep Texas alive. The Horns went on to win 15-14 and clinch the national championship title.
Even after graduating, Street continued to be a supporter of Longhorn football. “I asked James for a favor last spring and I actually called said, ‘James, I need your help,’” Coach Mack Brown said today. “How many people would say, ‘Why? What do you have?’ James said, ‘I’ll be there in ten minutes.’ That’s James.”
“We all have to step up and make sure that the rest of the world and people in this state know what he gave and that his legacy will continue to grow,” Brown said.
UT players will sport Street’s initials on their helmets Thursday when they play at Iowa State.
