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James Elmer

1882 – 1920

American football player

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About James Elmer

Lived 1882 – 1920 (aged 38). James Elmer was an American american football player.

James Chester Elmer (January 21, 1882 – April 30, 1920) was a college football player and once sheriff of Harrison County, Mississippi.

Auburn University He was a prominent guard and center for the Auburn Tigers of Alabama Polytechnic Institute. The yearbook remarks "The student body thinks "Jimmy Bigs" Elmer is the laziest man in college. [Jimmy, when you show this to Papa, tell him that "Large bodies move slowly."]"

1902 He was selected All-Southern in 1902. Tradition dictates many publications list Elmer as the school's first All-Southern selection despite the success in 1899 of Arthur Feagin. A report of the 6 to 0 loss to Sewanee reads "Elmer, of Auburn, was the star of the game, his work in the line being remarkable."

University of Virginia

He attended the University of Virginia for a year.

Ole Miss He continued his legal studies at the University of Mississippi. Elmer also caught the first forward pass in the history of that rivalry. He was elected All-Southern by former Tennessee player Nash Buckingham in the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Auburn University, University of Mississippi, University of Virginia
Also known as
James Chester Elmer

People in James Elmer's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped James Elmer's

Frequently asked questions

Who was James Elmer?

American football player (1882-1920)

When was James Elmer born?

James Elmer was born on 21 January 1882 in Biloxi.

When did James Elmer die?

James Elmer died on 30 April 1920 in New Orleans.

What was James Elmer's occupation?

James Elmer was an american football player.

What nationality was James Elmer?

James Elmer was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: James Elmer

· Wikidata: Q18763527

· DBpedia: James C. Elmer

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Elmer. https://biography.guide/james-elmer/

MLA: "James Elmer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-elmer/.

Chicago: "James Elmer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-elmer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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