TCU football is moving closer to its 2026 season opener against North Carolina in Dublin, Ireland on Aug. 29. As the Countdown to Kickoff continues, well highlight a former Horned Frog whose jersey number coincided with the number of days remaining until the opener. At No. 20 is former TCU running back Jack Spikes!A fullback, halfback and place kicker during his playing career, Spikes was named an All-Southwest Conference First Team selection in 1958 and 1959. Spikes also received First-Team All-American honors and was named MVP of the Cotton Bowl in 1959. A first-round draft selection in both the NFL and the AFL in 1960, Spikes continued his playing career in the AFL, helping the Dallas Texans to the 1962 AFL Championship. Spikes, who had a 10-yard catch and a 19-yard run in the second overtime period, guided the Texans over the Houston Oilers.In 30 games for the Horned Frogs, Spikes rushed for 1,555 yards and nine touchdowns on 335 carries (4.6 yards per carry). He led the team in rushing during both the 1958 and 1959 seasons. In 1960, Spikes was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. He was also taken by the Denver Broncos in the AFL Draft, but was traded to the Dallas Texans about a month after the draft. Over his AFL career, which spanned 86 games and 34 starts over eight years, Spikes ran for 1,693 yards and 18 scores.Spikes, who added 56 catches for 679 yards and three scores in his AFL career, made 20 field goals and 75 extra points over his eight-year run. He played five years for the Texans organization, which became the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the 1963 season. His career continued with the Houston Oilers (1965) and the Buffalo Bills (1966-67). Spikes was inducted into the TCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.