Jamshid "Jim" Bakhtiar was born in Tehran, Iran on January 8, 1934. His family immigrated to the United States when he was twelve years old. He quickly adapted to American culture and football, and he received a scholarship to play football at the University of Virginia, where his ability soon became apparent. In the era before two platoon football, he frequently played almost the entire game but distinguished himself as a fullback and placekicker.
In his junior year in 1956, Bakhtiar set the ACC single-game rushing record with 220 yards against VMI. In 1957 he scored 26 points as Virginia defeated Virginia Tech 38-7. He set career ACC records for rushing yards and attempts and most 100-yard rushing games. He was named to the 1957 All-American team. He played for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian football League in 1958 and then returned to Virginia and enrolled in medical school. In 1963 he received his medical degree with an emphasis in psychiatry. He served in the Vietnam War and then engaged in private practice before returning to Iran in 1976 to take a position at the University of Isafahan. Three years later the shah was deposed by the Iranian army. He was imprisoned for almost a month in 1981 before being released.
In June of 1982 Bakhtiar and his family escaped on horseback into Turkey and then returned to the United States. Several former coaches and teammates helped him restore his medical practice in West Virginia. In December of 2007 the Football Writers Association of America honored Bakhtiar with their All-American Alumni Award for his accomplishments after football.
In his junior year in 1956, Bakhtiar set the ACC single-game rushing record with 220 yards against VMI. In 1957 he scored 26 points as Virginia defeated Virginia Tech 38-7. He set career ACC records for rushing yards and attempts and most 100-yard rushing games. He was named to the 1957 All-American team. He played for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian football League in 1958 and then returned to Virginia and enrolled in medical school. In 1963 he received his medical degree with an emphasis in psychiatry. He served in the Vietnam War and then engaged in private practice before returning to Iran in 1976 to take a position at the University of Isafahan. Three years later the shah was deposed by the Iranian army. He was imprisoned for almost a month in 1981 before being released.
In June of 1982 Bakhtiar and his family escaped on horseback into Turkey and then returned to the United States. Several former coaches and teammates helped him restore his medical practice in West Virginia. In December of 2007 the Football Writers Association of America honored Bakhtiar with their All-American Alumni Award for his accomplishments after football.
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