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Lionel James has passed away

Posted on 2/25/22 at 9:57 am
Posted by SpotCheckBilly
Member since May 2020
8305 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 9:57 am
Sad day on the Plains.

LINK
This post was edited on 2/25/22 at 9:59 am
Posted by jangalang
Member since Dec 2014
50750 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 9:59 am to
This was the Little Train running back right?


RIP
Posted by SpotCheckBilly
Member since May 2020
8305 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 10:09 am to
quote:

This was the Little Train running back right?


Yes. Played in the early 80s, and then had a fine NFL career with the Chargers. All of 5'6" and maybe 165 pounds of heart. Rest in peace, Lil Train.

This post was edited on 2/25/22 at 10:11 am
Posted by jangalang
Member since Dec 2014
50750 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 10:13 am to
Damn. He was the original Shaun Shivers and I know how much I loved some Shivers
Posted by Leto II
Arrakis
Member since Dec 2018
22813 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 10:20 am to
Damn. RIP.
Posted by auburn22
winter spring fl 32708
Member since Jun 2013
626 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 12:06 pm to
SAD, LITTLE TRAIN WAS GREAT. Anyone know what he died from?
Posted by fontell
Montgomery
Member since Sep 2006
4572 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 12:29 pm to
Posted by DutchValleyTiger
Member since Dec 2014
1145 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 12:48 pm to
Rest In Peace, Lil Train.
Posted by HailToTheChiz
Back in Auburn
Member since Aug 2010
53809 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 1:33 pm to
Sad day
Posted by jt33
Member since Aug 2017
5312 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 1:45 pm to
Would be nice if we found a way to honor him.. a decal during the season, a moment during the A-Day game or something.
Posted by AuSteeler
montgomery. AL
Member since Jan 2015
2989 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 2:53 pm to
I can still see him running with those shoulder pads that were bigger than him back then, but he didn't back down to anyone.
Posted by FearlessFreep
Baja Alabama
Member since Nov 2009
19590 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 2:56 pm to
Damn. That sucks.

When I was at AU in '80, my roommate came home one night from a study session early in fall quarter and said, "Man, those intramural guys must be serious. Dude I was studying with left the library early 'cause he said he had practice first thing in the morning."

I said, maybe he's on the varsity? And my roommate (who was a pretty good sized WR in highschool himself) laughed and said, "No way, this guy wasn't any bigger than you are."

That weekend we took in the first home game of the season, and they called out Lionel James' name in as the starting RB. My roommate shouted out, "Holy shite! That's the guy I was telling you about!"

RIP Little Train. You'll always be a big guy to me.
Posted by RockyMtnTigerWDE
War Damn Eagle Dad!
Member since Oct 2010
108269 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 3:11 pm to
WDE Lil Train

RIP
Posted by MrAUTigers
Florida
Member since Sep 2013
29714 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 4:17 pm to
quote:

This was the Little Train running back right?


He played with Bo. It was a sight seeing those two standing side by side in pre-game warm up.

RIP, Little Train.
Posted by CorchJay
Member since Nov 2018
21100 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 7:02 pm to
Was one of my hero's growing up running in youth football as a running back in a triple option offense.
Posted by Sput
Member since Mar 2020
9110 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 7:41 pm to
He was part of the first teams I remember from my childhood and I always thought you tell the type player he was from the look he had in Dye’s Tennessee lockerroom speech.

LINK

He laid it all on the line for Auburn and help lay the foundation for sure.
Posted by Rhymenoceros
Atlanta, Georgia
Member since Nov 2012
4711 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 8:00 pm to
RIP Little Train.

The pics of him and Bo are some of my favorites in Auburn history.

Posted by bluedragon
Birmingham
Member since May 2020
9049 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 8:42 pm to
Met him three months ago. I was inspecting his house and his son came out to talk to me. He pointed out “There’s Dad now!”

What a loss.
Posted by freemanjiro
Izunokuni City, Shizuoka, Japan
Member since Nov 2013
1394 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 8:46 pm to
quote:

He played with Bo. It was a sight seeing those two standing side by side in pre-game warm up.


And Tommie Agee with Randy Campbell running the wishbone. I can't remember who our QB was before Randy. I was too young. My fandom begin in earnest with Little Train when I was 12 or 13 and sold programs to get into the stadium to watch games.

I don't know about now, but in those days, programs included a fold out poster of a player, play, etc. Mine of Lionel James is still stapled to the ceiling of my room at home in Auburn.

RIP Lil' Train. War Eagle.
Posted by freemanjiro
Izunokuni City, Shizuoka, Japan
Member since Nov 2013
1394 posts
Posted on 2/25/22 at 8:54 pm to
Nice writeup of his career

He also set a new NFL record with 86 receptions and 1,027 yards from the running back spot. A grand total of 2,535 all-purpose yards was also a new NFL record. That record was eventually broken by Derrick Mason in 2000 but James total is still fourth all time in the history of the game. On November 10th 1985 James gained 345 all-purpose yards, including 168 yards receiving. He also scored the winning TD in the 40-34 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Raiders. The “Little Train” was rolling along and Chargers fans loved seeing him perform.
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