SAN DIEGO — Lionel "Little Train" James, who starred at Auburn and set NFL records for the San Diego Chargers, died Friday after a lengthy illness, the university said. He was 59.
James was drafted by the Chargers in the fifth round in 1984 and played five seasons for the team. He was named team MVP in 1985 when he set league records with 1,027 receiving yards, the most ever by a running back, and 2,535 all-purpose yards. He led the team that year in yards gained via rushing, receiving, on punt returns and kickoff returns.
At Auburn, James led the Tigers in all-purpose yards in 1981 and 1982 and was a captain in 1983, when he shared the backfield with Bo Jackson.
