James "Little Man" Stewart
{{Short description|American football player (born 1971)}}
{{distinguish|James Stewart (Minnesota Vikings)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = James Stewart
| number = 33, 34
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|12|27}}
| birth_place = Morristown, Tennessee, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 224
| high_school = Morristown West
| college = Tennessee
| draftyear = 1995
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 19
| pastteams =
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|1995|1999}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2000|2003}})
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 5,841
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 4.0
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 48
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 220
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 1,715
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 9
| pfr = StewJa00
}}
James Ottis “Little Man” Stewart III (born December 27, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft. Stewart played in the NFL for the Jaguars and Detroit Lions from 1995 to 2003.
Early life and college
Stewart played football at his high school of Morristown West High School in Morristown, Tennessee.{{Cite web |last=Salazar |first=Deven |date=March 16, 2024 |title=Stewart to speak at Men of Vision event |url=https://www.citizentribune.com/news/local/stewart-to-speak-at-men-of-vision-event/article_7ccdbf7c-3298-11ee-9d63-431fb61bddb0.html |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Citizen Tribune |language=en}} He played college football at the University of Tennessee from 1991 to 1994. He had his only 1,000 yard rushing season his senior year, where he also ran for 11 touchdowns. While he left as the career leader in rushing yards, he's currently at the third most with 2,890, and still has the most rushing touchdowns with 35, in school history.{{cite web|title=Little mans toughness catalyst for his success|url=https://tennessee.rivals.com/news/little-mans-toughness-catalyst-for-his-success|author=Price, Austin|website=Tennessee.Rivals.com|date=September 4, 2014|access-date=February 3, 2020}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Tennessee Volunteers|color=white}}" | James Stewart ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Rushing ! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold;" | Receiving |
| style="font-weight:bold;" | Year
| style="font-weight:bold;" | School | style="font-weight:bold;" | Class | style="font-weight:bold;" | Pos | style="font-weight:bold;" | G | style="font-weight:bold;" | Att | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | Avg | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD | style="font-weight:bold;" | Rec | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | Avg | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD |
| 1991
| FR | RB | 11 | 190 | 939 | 4.9 | 8 | 18 | 106 | 5.9 | 0 |
| 1992
| SO | RB | 11 | 85 | 386 | 4.5 | 7 | 7 | 121 | 17.3 | 1 |
| 1993
| JR | RB | 11 | 86 | 537 | 6.2 | 9 | 12 | 89 | 7.4 | 0 |
| 1994
| SR | RB | 11 | 170 | 1,028 | 6.0 | 11 | 17 | 147 | 8.6 | 3 |
| style="font-weight:bold;" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/james-stewart-3.html Career]
| style="font-weight:bold;" | Tennessee | colspan="3" style="font-weight:bold;" | | style="font-weight:bold;" | 531 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 2,890 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 5.4 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 35 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 54 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 463 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 8.6 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 4 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1 3/8
| weight = 222
| shuttle = 4.09
| vertical = 38.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 3
| bench = 26
| arm span = 32 3/4
| hand span = 8 7/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=23715 |title=James Stewart, Combine Results, RB - Tennessee |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=November 19, 2022}}
}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
Stewart was the second selection by the new expansion Jacksonville Jaguars with the 19th pick of the first round in the 1995 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=1995 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1995/draft.htm |access-date=March 31, 2023|website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In his rookie season, Stewart led the Jaguars in rushing with 525 yards and had two rushing touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=James Stewart 1995 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/1995/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1995 Jacksonville Jaguars Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1995.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He led the team again in 1996 with 723 yards and eight touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=James Stewart 1996 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/1996/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1996 Jacksonville Jaguars Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1996.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished the 1997 season with 555 yards and eight touchdowns, however he finished second on the team that year in rushing yards behind teammate Natrone Means.{{Cite web |title=James Stewart 1997 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/1997/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1997 Jacksonville Jaguars Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1997.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Stewart still holds the franchise record for the most points in a single game (30) and for the most rushing touchdowns in a game (5). Both these records were obtained on October 12, 1997, in a 38-21 Week 7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars - October 12th, 1997 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199710120jax.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=October 13, 1997|agency=Associated Press |title=Stewart Scores Five Touchdowns Jaguars Back Answers Critics With Near-Record Performance |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/oct/13/stewart-scores-five-touchdowns-jaguars-back/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=The Spokesman-Review}}{{Cite web |last=Day |first=Ryan |date=August 3, 2019 |title=36 days until kickoff: James Stewart's five touchdown game |url=https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2019/8/3/20729725/100-moments-in-100-days-james-stewart-five-touchdown-game-against-the-philadelphia-eagles |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Big Cat Country|publisher=SB Nation |language=en}} The Jaguars drafted Fred Taylor as their new franchise back in 1998 and, as a result, Stewart only rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=James Stewart 1998 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/1998/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Due to injuries to Taylor in 1999, Stewart once again led the team with 931 rushing yards and had a career-high 13 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=James Stewart 1999 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/1999/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1999 Jacksonville Jaguars Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/1999.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Stewart finished his Jaguars career rushing 765 times for 2,951 yards and 33 touchdowns. Stewart also played in six playoff games, including two AFC Championships, rushing 31 total times for 162 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=James Stewart Career Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/post/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Detroit Lions=
Stewart became a free agent and signed with the Detroit Lions prior to the 2000 season.{{Cite web |date=November 30, 1999 |title=Lions Sign RB James Stewart |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lions-sign-rb-james-stewart/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=CBS News|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}} In his first year playing for the Lions, Stewart rushed for a career-high 1,184 yards and 10 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=James Stewart 2000 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/2000/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In 2001, he rushed for 685 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=James Stewart 2001 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/2001/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During the 2002 season, he had another 1,000-plus yard season (1,021) and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=James Stewart 2002 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/2002/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He rushed for a career-high 172 yards in a 23-20 Week 7 victory over the Chicago Bears.{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions - October 20th, 2002 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200210200det.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was, however, injured late in 2002 with a severe shoulder injury and did not play in 2003, ending his career.{{cite web|title=FORMER NFL PLAYER JAMES "LITTLE MAN" STEWART TO LEAD GATLINBURG FOOTBALL CAMP|url=https://rockytopsportsworld.com/blog/james-little-man-stewart-to-lead-gatlinburg-football-camp/|website=RockyTopSportsWorld.com|date=March 22, 2018|access-date=February 3, 2020}} According to Coy Wire, Stewart's injury occurred because of a bounty system established by then Buffalo Bills head coach Gregg Williams. Wire stated: "I shattered James Stewart's shoulder and he never played again. I was showered with praise for that. It's a shame that's how it was. Now I see how wrong that was."{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2012 |title=Former Bills safety Wire reveals 'bounty' system under Williams |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/former-bills-safety-wire-reveals-bounty-system-under-williams-09000d5d8275de8b |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}
Stewart finished his time with the Lions rushing 713 times for 2,890 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his career, he rushed for a total of 1,478 times for 5,841 yards and 48 touchdowns.
NFL career statistics
= Regular season =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 1995 | JAX
| 14 || 8 || 137 || 525 || 3.8 || 22 || 2 || 21 || 190 || 9.0 || 38 || 1 || 1 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| 1996 | JAX
| 13 || 11 || 190 || 723 || 3.8 || 34 || 8 || 30 || 177 || 5.9 || 21 || 2 || 2 || 2 | |||||||||||||
| 1997 | JAX
| 16 || 5 || 136 || 555 || 4.1 || 33 || 8 || 41 || 336 || 8.2 || 40 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 1998 | JAX
| 3 || 3 || 53 || 217 || 4.1 || 30 || 2 || 6 || 42 || 7.0 || 19 || 1 || 2 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| 1999 | JAX
| 14 || 7 || 249 || 931 || 3.7 || 44 || 13 || 21 || 108 || 5.1 || 19 || 0 || 4 || 3 | |||||||||||||
| 2000 | DET
| 16 || 16 || 339 || 1,184 || 3.5 || 34 || 10 || 32 || 287 || 9.0 || 32 || 1 || 4 || 2 | |||||||||||||
| 2001 | DET
| 11 || 10 || 143 || 685 || 4.8 || 38 || 1 || 23 || 242 || 10.5 || 56 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2002 | DET
| 14 || 9 || 231 || 1,021 || 4.4 || 56 || 4 || 46 || 333 || 7.2 || 52 || 2 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00.htm Career] | 101 | 69 | 1478 | 5,841 | 4.0 | 56 | 48 | 220 | 1,715 | 7.8 | 56 | 9 | 13 | 9 |
= Postseason =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 1996 | JAX
| 3 || 0 || 16 || 59 || 3.7 || 16 || 0 || 4 || 38 || 9.5 || 25 || 0 || 1 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| 1997 | JAX
| 1 || 0 || 1 || 6 || 6.0 || 6 || 0 || 3 || 46 || 15.3 || 26 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 1999 | JAX
| 2 || 0 || 14 || 97 || 6.9 || 33 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StewJa00/gamelog/post/ Career] | 6 | 0 | 31 | 162 | 5.2 | 33 | 2 | 7 | 84 | 12.0 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
=Jaguars franchise records=
- Most points scored in a game: 30
- Most rushing touchdowns in a game: 5
Personal life
Stewart wore number 33 while playing for the University of Tennessee and the Jaguars. He wore number 34 while playing for the Lions.
He retired to Jacksonville and owns his own personal training studio called Studio 33.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/james-stewart/15286 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
{{1995 NFL Draft}}
{{1995 Jacksonville Jaguars}}
{{Jaguars1995DraftPicks}}
{{JaguarsFirstPick}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stewart, James Little Man}}
Category:Sportspeople from Morristown, Tennessee
Category:American football running backs
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:Detroit Lions players