Hall of Fame
Position: Halfback
Years: 1954-1956
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, CA
Date of Birth: Apr 30, 1935
Place of Death: Lake Oswego, OR
Date of Death: Jan. 16, 2021
Jersey Number: 26
Height: 5-11
Weight: 197
High School: Los Angeles, CA (Manual Arts HS)
Excelling as both a running back and punt and kickoff returner, "Jaguar" Jon Arnett did everything, earning his nickname for his acrobatic agility (honed as a gymnast growing up) and elusiveness as a ball carrier.
Arnett, listed at 5-11 and 197 pounds, started as a sophomore in 1954, leading the Trojans in rushing (601 yards), scoring (55 points), punt returns (129 yards) and interceptions (3). He also completed 17 passes for 164 yards. USC played in the Rose Bowl that season.
In 1955, he was again tops in most categories, leading USC in rushing (672 yards), total offense (822 yards), scoring (108 points), kickoff returns (418 yards) and punt returns (282 yards). He also completed 12 passes for 150 yards, and he scored 108 points with 15 touchdowns and 18 extra points.
As a senior co-captain in 1956, Arnett played just half the season due to conference penalties against the Trojans. He still finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting and won the Pop Warner Award (top senior on the West Coast). He rushed for 625 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per rush while leading Troy in scoring (43 points), and he even threw a touchdown pass. After the season, he played in the College All-Star Game, East-West Shrine Game and Hula Bowl.
He made first team All-Pacific 8 Conference in 1955-56 and All-America in 1955. He won the Voit Trophy as best player on the Pacific Coast in 1955-56. His career stats include an average of 24.4 yards on kickoff returns and 15.6 on punt returns. He still ranks in USC's career Top 25 lists for rushing (1,898 yards), punt returns (430 yards) and kickoff returns (430 yards).
Arnett also starred on the track team, and in 1954, he placed second in the long jump at the NCAA meet, helping USC win the team title.
The second pick in the 1957 NFL Draft, he played seven seasons (five as a pro bowler) with the Los Angeles Rams from 1957-63 and then with the Chicago Bears 1964-66. After his playing days, Arnett worked in the sales and marketing, real estate development, stock brokerage, executive search, advertising, mortgage banking and investment counseling industries. Most recently, he had a food distribution business.
Arnett was born April 30, 1934, in Los Angeles. He attended Manual Arts High School. He was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in its 1994 inaugural class and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He and his wife Jane founded the Retired Professional Athlete Association in 2005 to advocate on behalf of retired football players and their families.
Arnett passed away Jan. 16, 2021, of heart failure in Lake Oswego, Oregon. He was 85.
