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Lionel ‘Little Train’ James, a popular and productive Auburn RB, passes away at 59
By Keith Farner
Published:
Lionel ‘Little Train’ James, a popular and productive running back at Auburn in the early 190s, who a long-time Auburn observer said “defined Auburn football for a generation,” has died. He was 59.
Auburn announced that James, who starred for Auburn in the early 1980s and set NFL records, passed away after lengthy illness on Friday.
“Lionel James defined Auburn football for a generation,” said former Auburn sports information director and director of athletics David Housel.
James led the Tigers in rushing in 1981, Pat Dye’s first season on the Plains. He ranks No. 18 on Auburn’s career rushing list with 2,068 yards from 1980-83. His 6.14 yards-per-carry average ranks fourth in program history.
The Albany, Georgia, native led Auburn in all-purpose yards in 1981 and 1982. James was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
One of the most popular players in Auburn football history, James weighed 150 pounds as a freshman and was named Auburn’s Most Improved Running Back after spring practice in 1981.
James was held in high regard by peers and former Auburn players.
James captained the Tigers in 1983, leading Auburn to its first SEC championship in 26 years, teaming up with backfield mates and future NFL peers Bo Jackson and Tommie Agee.
“Pound for pound one of the greatest all-purpose players to play the game of football,” Agee said. “Always put the team first. He was one of the reasons why I came to Auburn. He showed me what the Auburn family, the Auburn team, was all about on my official visit.”
“Lionel was a special person,” said Randy Campbell, who quarterbacked Auburn’s 1983 SEC championship team. “Thoughtful, kind, caring and the ultimate team player. He led by example and made everyone around him a better football player.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
