Lionel James

Lionel "Little Train" James He played college football for the Tigers, sharing the backfield with Bo Jackson. James was Auburn's leading rusher with 561 yards in 1981, head coach Pat Dye's first year with the team. He ran for over 700 yards in consecutive seasons as a junior and senior. James also led the team in all-purpose yardage in 1981 and 1982, He was a captain in 1983, Auburn finished 11–1 and ranked No. 3 by the Associated Press.

Professional career

James was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 1984 NFL draft. becoming the first running back with a 1,000-yard receiving season in the league. He led the AFC in receptions with 86, and led the Chargers in yardage from rushing (516), punt returns (213), and kickoff returns (779).

James missed nine games in 1986 with an ankle injury. He rebounded the following season to score a team-high six touchdowns, including an 81-yard punt return. James was hampered by a hip flexor injury in 1988, although he still managed to catch 36 passes. He was waived during preseason in 1989, when the Chargers opted for a quicker running back, rookie Dana Brinson. The Kansas City Chiefs claimed James, planning to use him primarily as a wide receiver.

James ended his career with 1,061 yards rushing and 2,278 receiving yards. He scored 16 career touchdowns, including two on punt returns. His record for receiving yards by a running back was broken by Marshall Faulk (1,048) in 1999, and his all-purpose yardage record was eclipsed in 2000 by Derrick Mason (2,690 yards).

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1984 SDG 16 2 25 115 4.6 20 0 23 206 9.0 31 0 1985 SDG 16 7 105 516 4.9 56 2 86 1,027 11.9 67 6 1986 SDG 7 1 51 224 4.4 24 0 23 173 7.5 18 0 1987 SDG 12 11 27 102 3.8 15 2 41 593 14.5 46 3 1988 SDG 16 1 23 105 4.6 23 0 36 279 7.8 31 1 67 22 231 1,062 4.6 56 4 209 2,278 10.9 67 10

Coaching career James began his coaching career with stints at Terrell Middle High in Dawson, Georgia; Woodlawn High in Birmingham, Alabama; and Appalachian State. He returned to Auburn to coach tight ends under head coach Terry Bowden from 1996 to 1997. James left in 1998 to become the running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was the offensive coordinator of the Birmingham Steeldogs of the arenafootball2 in 2000, and served as the running backs coach for the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL in 2001.

Personal life James graduated from Auburn with a degree in mathematics in 1989.