As a team captain in 1983, he and helped lead the Tigers to their first Southeastern Conference championship in 26 years. He piled up 345 all-purpose yards (the second most in a single game in league history until then), including a 34-yard touchdown pass from Dan Fouts in the third quarter and a 17-yard rushing touchdown that won the game, 40-34, in overtime. A diminutive player, he set a single-season record in 1985 for yardage gained in the N.F.L. He finished his college career ranked No. Crowley Post-Signal 602 N. Parkerson Ave, Crowley, LA 70526 Phone: 337-783-3450 Fax: 337-788-0949. He showed me what the Auburn family, the Auburn team, was all about on my official visit. Those tears and his reaction symbolized the change in attitude about Auburn football. Create a password that only you will remember. "Pound for pound one of the greatest all-purpose players to play the game of football. This is the way I figure it, he told Sports Illustrated during the 1985 season. James was born in the year 1962. . [11] He led the AFC in receptions with 86, and led the Chargers in yardage from rushing (516), punt returns (213), and kickoff returns (779). Lionel was a special person, Randy Campbell said. Visitation will be held on May 1, 2020 at 1:30 pm at Paradise Funeral Home, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX. He led by example and made everyone around him a better football player. Obituaries; Search for a story, obituary or memorial; Advanced Search. February 16, 2023 Undersized at 5feet 6inches (1.68m) and 171 pounds (78kg),[2][3] he spent his entire five-year NFL career with the Chargers from 1984 to 1988. "Lionel James defined Auburn football for a generation," David Housel, former Auburn sports information director and director of athletics, said. He led by example and made everyone around him a better football player.. He also set the record for receiving yards by a running back with 1,027 yards,[10] becoming the first running back with a 1,000-yard receiving season in the league. at his residence. One of the most popular players in Auburn football history, James weighed 150 pounds as a freshman and was named Auburns Most Improved Running Back after spring practice in 1981. At 5 feet 6.5 inches tall and 170 pounds, James was probably the smallest player in the league, making him difficult to spot as he slithered quickly past tall, meaty linemen. James returned to Auburn after his NFL career and graduated in 1989. In 1987, Auburns A-Day offensive MVP award was permanently named the Lionel James Offensive MVP Award. James played five seasons with the NFLs Chargers, who have since moved to Los Angeles, after being drafted in the fifth round in 1984. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of James Lionel Veillon of Pine Prairie, Louisiana, born in Ville Platte, Louisiana, who passed away on January 31, 2023, at the age of 85, leaving to mourn family and friends. Choose wisely! James, 5-foot-6 and 170. ", "Lionel James defined Auburn football for a generation. He died peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Is Nanci Griffiths Cause of Death Related to a Health Problem? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Do you have any more details due to the heartfelt News? He wasnt big in stature, but he was big in heart, and he symbolized Auburn football for a generation or more.. He sits 4th all-time in yards-per-carry average (6.14).Below are statements from former teammates Tommie Agee and Randy Campbell, as well as former Auburn director of athletics David Housel.TOMMIE AGEE"Pound for pound one of the greatest all-purpose players to play the game of football. He should have been tackled at the line of scrimmage but made the guy miss and took it all the way, Campbell added. LIONEL JAMES OBITUARY Lionel ""Little Train"" James, son of devoted father Mr. Joe James (who preceded him in death) and nurturing mother Mrs. Cherrine James, was born on May 25, 1962 in. He might have broken the record in an earlier game that season against the Cincinnati Bengals except for a Chargers penalty that cost him 89 yards of a 100-yard kickoff return. Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. LIONEL WASHINGTON OBITUARY. Arrangements. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. After his playing career, he opened a sporting goods store and taught math in schools in Dawson, Ga., and in Birmingham, where he also coached football. He was 59. Search the massive Canada Marriages Database - Huge Canadian Obituary Collection. He should have been tackled at the line of scrimmage but made the guy miss and took it all the way. A Loved One Has Passed Away Customer Service Plan Ahead . Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. How did Lionel 'Little Train' James die? DONALDSON Lionel James. Standing 5-foot-6 and weighing only 150 pounds as a freshman, James became one of the most popular players in Auburn football history. Write your message of sympathy today. The Jets confirmed Rademacher's death on Tuesday. Thoughtful, kind, caring and the ultimate team player. Little Train played in the greatest group of running backs in Auburn history with Bo, Tommie Agee and Brent Fullwood. [7] Auburn finished 111 and ranked No. Agee called James pound for pound one of the greatest all-purpose players to play the game of football.. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Lionel Barrow Sr. of Gray, Louisiana, who passed away on February 28, 2023, at the age of 79, leaving to mourn family and friends. AUBURN, Ala. Legendary former Auburn football and NFL running back Lionel James, nicknamed "Little Train" for his unstoppable motor despite a 5-foot-6 frame, died Friday. He led by example and made everyone around him a better football player. Over the next few years, James was an assistant coach at Appalachian State University in North Carolina; the tight ends coach at Auburn under Coach Terry Bowden; and the running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs under Marty Schottenheimer during the 1998 season, his only year with the team. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. When I broke into the open, James told The Los Angeles Times after the game, I thought to myself, This is like heaven.. He is also survived by 11 Grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Those tears and his reaction symbolized the change in attitude about Auburn football. He was my favorite because he was the underdog. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Read more. Guestbook. The Albany, Georgia, native led Auburn in rushing and all-purpose yard in Pat Dye's first season as head coach in 1981. He was 59. He died Saturday June 23, 2012 at 8:20p.m. Lionels best year as a pro came during the 1985 season when the player set the then-NFL season records for receiving yards by a running back and all-purpose yardage. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of James Lionel Veillon to show support. he told Sports Illustrated during the 1985 season, when James gained 728 yards and Jackson 1,213, inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Get the Sports headlines from the Albany Herald delivered daily to your email. Funeral arrangement under the care ofLouisiana Funeral Services & Crematory. His mother, Cherrine (Wright) James, was a high school physical education teacher. After his NFL career, Lionel returned to Auburn and graduated in 1989. The concept of not having to pay excessive fees for expenditures* such as: travel amenities, cable and internet service, credit card and/or concert tickets; is being considered. LIONEL JAMES OBITUARY. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. He was my favorite because he was the underdog. Please join us in Loving, Sharing and Memorializing Lionel James Sirois on this permanent online memorial. San Diego Chargers running back Lionel "Little Train" James looks for room to run during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders on Sept. 28, 1986 at the Coliseum. James was a football player at Auburn in the early 80s. Rayne-Acadian Tribune 108 North Adama, Rayne, LA 70578 Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, 27909 Obituary James McNamara passed away on July 6, 2022. View Obituaries Klein Memorial Park - Spring-Klein Lionel James Sirois. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. There was an error processing your request. James played for Auburn in the early 1980s and was ranked 18th on the program's career rush list in 19 his 8083 rush yard at . Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Former Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan was found to have had Stage 1 chronic traumatic encephalopathy, his family was told this week. Try our free interactive obituary template. He was 59. 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He wasnt big in stature, but he was big in heart, and he symbolized Auburn football for a generation or more, Housel recalled. dar al arkan careers; unlike the 12 tables of roman law the 10 commandments are; Related articles; publix liquor hours; list of aristocrat slot machines. According to the official website of the Auburn Tigers, the legendary NFL player died after a lengthy battle with an illness. Lionel James, a fast, elusive running back nicknamed Little Train, who shared the backfield with Bo Jackson at Auburn University and set a single-season N.F.L. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WVTM-TV. Lionel " Little Train " James [1] (May 25, 1962 - February 25, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a running back for the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League (NFL). Lionel James, former Auburn football player, passes away, Missing Tift Co. man found dead in wooded area, APD: Man shot after attempting to meet girl at Albany hotel, Mitchell Co. High basketball coach arrested on sex charges, Sports Talk: High school basketball final four, Rosepine rolls to state championship game with huge win over Union Parish. Our thoughts and prayers are with the James Family.Rest In Peace Lionel. Funeral arrangement under the care ofSutherlin Chapel of the Roses. He was drafted in the fifth round by the San Diego Chargers in 1984. He was 75. He was one of the reasons why I came to Auburn. Zion Baptist Church, 901 South Westover Boulevard. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Lionel James, a legendary Auburn running back called the "Little Train," died of a lengthy illness at 59. Get our expert short-term forecast, summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather in the Albany, Georgia area. In a game that November, with Auburns record 8-1, James took a pitch from quarterback Randy Campbell and was nearly caught in the backfield, but he broke free, cut to the left and raced untouched for an 87-yard touchdown, one of the longest in team history. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. He is not dating anyone. He could turn a bad play into a great play like the 87-yard touchdown vs. Georgia in 1982. Did you know him or have close relations? It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Shareel Lionel Washington of Marksville, Louisiana, who passed away on February 26, 2023, at the age of 47, leaving to mourn family and friends. James returned to Auburn after his NFL career and graduated in 1989. Losing hurt. He was 59. Fill in some information about your loved one, and we'll generate some text that you can use as a starting point for your online memorial. He coached tight ends on Terry Bowdens staff in 1996-97. He was 59. Lionel A. James 57 passed away Jan. 26 - Service: 11am Wed. Feb. 1 at New Era Bapt. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. November 17, 1933 - February 3, 2019. Visiting will be held on Monday, September 13, 2021, from 9 am. After coaching in 2000 with the Birmingham Steeldogs of the AF2, the Arena Football Leagues development league, and with the Birmingham Thunderbolts of the XFL in 2001, James returned to teaching high school math in Birmingham for several years. Little Train played in the greatest group of running backs in Auburn history with Bo, Tommie Agee and Brent Fullwood. He was waived during preseason in 1989, when the Chargers opted for a quicker running back, rookie Dana Brinson. January 31, 2023 Because of his small stature of 5feet 6inches (1.68m) and 150 pounds (68kg), Auburn University was the only major college to recruit him. This content is imported from Facebook. Skip to content. Green and Mae Nell Green. He led the AFC in receptions that season with 86 while setting the NFL record for receiving yards by a running back with 1,027. Agee called James "pound for pound one of the greatest all-purpose players to play the game of football.. After his NFL career, James returned to Auburn and graduated in 1989, then coached tight ends on Terry Bowdens staff in 1996-97. James led the Tigers in rushing in 1981, Pat Dyes first season on the Plains. Bill Rademacher, a two-way player for the New York Jets in their early years, has died. [25], James graduated from Auburn with a degree in mathematics in 1989. Events Deeply loved husband of Bev, cherished dad and father-in-law of Susan & David Warne, and Kaye Aitken, loved grandad (Grundy) of Carley & Axel, Chloe, Leonie, and Mark, Lionel James the Little Engine That Could. [a][5] On November 10, 1985, James had his best day as a pro versus the Los Angeles Raiders. He was born June 7, 1951 - January 1, 2023Lionel James Morrow peacefully passed away, with his wife by his side, on January 1, 2023, at the age of 71 years. Lionel James Price was born on December 30, 1951 and passed away on April 21, 2020 and is under the care of Paradise Funeral Home. Why Felicity Hoffman Sentenced to Only 14 Days in Prison? OBITUARY Lionel James Price December 30, 1951 - April 21, 2020. @UsaNewsz: Lionel James Dead and obituary, Former Auburn Star, Chargers RB Friday at 59 - 12 months ago @realcaliG: RT @clarkjudgeTOF: Hall of Fame QB Dan Fouts on the late Lionel (Little Train) James: "Just a joy to be around:" - 12 months ago @coach95j: RT @80sFootballCard: RIP Lionel "Little Train" James who passed away today at the age of . Funeral services are Friday at 7 p.m. at Fountain Baptist Church, Summit, N.J. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church. You can also leave a condolence message below the comment box to honor him. James, who was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, led Auburn in all-purpose yards in 1981 and 1982 and became one of the first signature players of the Pat Dye era. [5] James also led the team in all-purpose yardage in 1981 and 1982,[1] when he also led the nation in punt returns with a 15.8-yard average.