Dr. Jimmy Alford

James Alford, a lanky 6-foot 3-inch, 190-pound center and linebacker from Albertville led the 1954 Aggie football team to a 9-1 record. His team produced the best Aggie football record in the last 76 years. Prior to the 1954 season, Hoyt Levie’s 1929 Aggies won 11 and lost one.

His dad, James Alford, was a guard on the 9-1 Aggie football team in 1927. Comments about James of 1927 in the school yearbook included, “Jimmy thinks that the bigger they are, the harder they fall. He has done his part on the team for the two years that he has played.”

Hal Hays wrote about James of 1954: “As team captain and defensive ringleader in autumn, 1954, Alford sparked the Aggies to one of their greatest seasons. He blocked and tackled like a man obsessed through the 10-game card, helping mold a sparkling 9-1 record. From his linebacker’s spot, he was credited with well over 100 individual tackles and was the chief reason A.H.S. held its opponents to an anemic 69.43 yards per game rushing.”

The younger Alford joined Jackie Morgan (Class of 1929) as an Aggie to stand for two years in the spotlight of All-State. He started his Aggie football career in 1951 under Coach Vernon Wells, achieving All-State in 1953. Jimmy was a repeat All-State in 1954 under coaches Ralph Reed and his uncle, Frank Alford. The coaches had prepped at Albertville and played together at Sewanee. While playing for these two coaches, Jimmy Alford was named All-Southern honorable mention in 1954.

Aggie basketball and Boy Scouts played important roles in young Alford’s life. He was a member of the high school basketball team from 1951-1954 and an Eagle Scout in 1954.

Johnny Parker, Post-Herald sportswriter, in writing about Alford’s All-State selection said, “Alford, one of the state’s best linebackers, holds the top center spot. The Albertville star blocked six punts during the season and each one resulted in a touchdown for the Aggies. Alford himself scored one of the TDs and his work as offensive center was flawless.”

Many years ago a 20-man panel of Albertville residents selected an All-Time Great Aggie Team. Each person participated with the promise his name and ballot would forever remain anonymous. Jimmy garnered 19 votes to serve as co-captain of the 11-player squad.

Today, James H. Alford of Montgomery is a retired doctor of obstetrics and gynecology. He currently serves as chairman of the Alabama Impaired Physicians Committee, which supervises the Alabama Physician Health Program.

In 2004, Alford was awarded the Hettie Butler Terry Award for distinguished community service presented by the University of Alabama Medical Alumni Association.