Auburn University and the Los Angeles Chargers lost a legend as news that Lionel ‘Little Train' James passed away on Friday at the age of 59.

James was known for being the little engine that could. Despite his five foot six inch frame, he dominated at every level he played at. James was a standout player in college football. He played for Auburn from 1980 to 1983. During his time at Auburn, James averaged 6.14 yards per carry, the fourth highest in program history. In 1983, James was named captain of the Tigers and played alongside Bo Jackson in the backfield.

James was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 1984 NFL Draft. He then went on to far exceed the expectations and draft status. In just his second year in the NFL, James set the record at the time for most all-purpose yards in a single season with 2,535. That still ranks as one of the most productive in NFL history.

James also set the NFL record for most receiving yards by a running back in the Super Bowl era that season with 1,027. Marshall Faulk is the only running back to have eclipsed that mark. Faulk posted 1,048 receiving yards in the Rams' historic season of 1999.

After spending five seasons with the Chargers, the undersized tailback later returned to Auburn as the tight ends coach under Terry Bowden in the mid 1990's.

According to reports, a lengthy illness was the cause of James' death.