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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. 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.

College statistics

Professional career

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. In his rookie season, Stewart led the Jaguars in rushing with 525 yards and had two rushing touchdowns. He led the team again in 1996 with 723 yards and eight touchdowns. 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. 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. 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. Due to injuries to Taylor in 1999, Stewart once again led the team with 931 rushing yards and had a career-high 13 touchdowns.

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.

Detroit Lions

Stewart became a free agent and signed with the Detroit Lions prior to the 2000 season. In his first year playing for the Lions, Stewart rushed for a career-high 1,184 yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2001, he rushed for 685 yards and one touchdown. During the 2002 season, he had another 1,000-plus yard season (1,021) and four touchdowns. He rushed for a career-high 172 yards in a 23-20 Week 7 victory over the Chicago Bears. He was, however, injured late in 2002 with a severe shoulder injury and did not play in 2003, ending his career. 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."

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

Postseason

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

1. Salazar, Deven (March 16, 2024). "Stewart to speak at Men of Vision event". Citizen Tribune. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
2. ^ Price, Austin (September 4, 2014). "Little mans toughness catalyst for his success". Tennessee.Rivals.com. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
3. "James Stewart, Combine Results, RB - Tennessee". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
4. "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
5. "James Stewart 1995 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
6. "1995 Jacksonville Jaguars Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
7. "James Stewart 1996 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
8. "1996 Jacksonville Jaguars Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
9. "James Stewart 1997 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
10. "1997 Jacksonville Jaguars Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
11. "Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars - October 12th, 1997". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
12. "Stewart Scores Five Touchdowns Jaguars Back Answers Critics With Near-Record Performance". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. October 13, 1997. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
13. Day, Ryan (August 3, 2019). "36 days until kickoff: James Stewart's five touchdown game". Big Cat Country. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
14. "James Stewart 1998 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
15. "James Stewart 1999 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
16. "1999 Jacksonville Jaguars Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
17. "James Stewart Career Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
18. "Lions Sign RB James Stewart". CBS News. Associated Press. November 30, 1999. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
19. "James Stewart 2000 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
20. "James Stewart 2001 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
21. "James Stewart 2002 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
22. "Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions - October 20th, 2002". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
23. "FORMER NFL PLAYER JAMES "LITTLE MAN" STEWART TO LEAD GATLINBURG FOOTBALL CAMP". RockyTopSportsWorld.com. March 22, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
24. "Former Bills safety Wire reveals 'bounty' system under Williams". NFL.com. March 3, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2024.

External links

• Tennessee Volunteers bio

• 1971 births
• Living people
• People from Morristown, Tennessee
• Sportspeople from the Knoxville metropolitan area
• American football running backs
• Tennessee Volunteers football players
• Jacksonville Jaguars draft picks
• Jacksonville Jaguars players
• Detroit Lions players
• Morristown-Hamblen High School West alumni
• People from Fairfield, Texas