James Hunter (American football)

{{Short description|American football player (1954–2010)}}

{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = James Hunter

| number = 28

| position = Cornerback

| birth_date = {{birth date|1954|3|8}}

| birth_place = Silsbee, Texas, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2010|8|2|1954|3|8}}

| death_place = Allen Park, Michigan, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 3

| weight_lb = 195

| high_school = Silsbee (Silsbee, TX)

| college = Grambling State

| draftyear = 1976

| draftround = 1

| draftpick = 10

| pastteams =

• Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|1976|1982}})

| highlights =

• PFWA All-Rookie Team (1976)
• First-team All-American (1975)

| statlabel1 = Interceptions

| statvalue1 = 27

| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue2 = 5

| statlabel3 = Defensive TDs

| statvalue3 = 1

| pfr = H/HuntJa22

}}

James Edward Hunter{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HuntJa22.htm |title=James Hunter |access-date=2008-07-03 |work=pro-football-reference.com }} (March 8, 1954 – August 2, 2010) was an American professional football player who was a cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/players/jameshunter/profile?id=HUN648256 |title=James Hunter |access-date=2008-07-03 |work=nfl.com }} Hunter was the 10th player picked in the 1976 NFL draft after playing for Eddie Robinson at Grambling.{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?yr=1976&lg=NFL |title=1976 NFL Player Draft |access-date=2008-07-03 |work=databasefootball.com |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015203157/http://databasefootball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?yr=1976&lg=NFL |archive-date=2007-10-15 }} Hunter is seventh all-time for interceptions in Lions history and is still considered one of the greatest players to ever play at Grambling. His son, Javin Hunter, played for Notre Dame and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2002. His grandson, Jaden Ivey played basketball at Purdue University and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 2022 NBA draft. Hunter also has a daughter, Marisa Hunter.{{Cite web|url=http://www.jameshuntergolfclassic.com/the-legacy/|title=The Legacy {{!}} James E. Hunter Association|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-24}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/beaumontenterprise/obituary.aspx?n=james-e-hunter&pid=144500048|title=James E. Hunter obituary|website=Legacy.com|access-date=24 Feb 2020}}

Nicknamed "Hound Dog" for his long-striding running ability, Hunter made an instant impact in the NFL. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound cornerback led the Lions with seven pass interceptions and was runner-up to future Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Haynes as NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Year. Hunter got his first start in 1976 at free safety, subbing for another Lions’ great, Dick Jauron, who had broken his leg. He shifted to left cornerback in 1977, playing alongside another future Pro Football Hall of Famer, Lem Barney. In his seven seasons with the Lions (1976–82), Hunter led the Lions in three seasons in pass interceptions (1976, ’77 and ’80) and had 27 career interceptions. He played in 86 Lions games before a neck injury sustained late in the 1982 season ended his career.

Hunter, Jimmy "Spiderman" Allen, and David Hill recorded a remake of Queen's hit "Another One Bites the Dust" in 1980.{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Steve |url=http://blog.detroitathletic.com/2010/11/27/another-one-bites-the-dust-by-the-lions-jimmy-spiderman-allen/ |title="Another One Bites the Dust" by the Lions' Jimmy "Spiderman" Allen |publisher=Detroit Athletic Co. |date=2010-11-27 |access-date=2013-10-23 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184007/http://blog.detroitathletic.com/2010/11/27/another-one-bites-the-dust-by-the-lions-jimmy-spiderman-allen/ |url-status=dead }}

On November 14, 2019, it was announced that Hunter would be part of the 2020 Black College Football Hall of Fame induction class.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/black-college-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2020-announced/|title = Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Announced | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site}} He was officially inducted during ceremonies held on February 22, 2020,