Former UO running back LaMichael James selected for College Football Hall of Fame
LaMichael James' unforgettable Oregon career included electrifying performances and displays of undeniable toughness as he helped elevate the Ducks into national championship contenders.
Though he last played for Oregon in 2011, James' legacy as a Duck will soon be recognized on a larger stage.
On Monday, James was announced as one of the new members of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was among 22 former players and coaches selected by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.
Along with James, the class of 2023 also includes USC running back Reggie Bush, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney.
The 2023 College Football Hall of Fame class will be inducted during the 65th National Football Foundation annual awards dinner on Dec. 5 at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
James becomes the sixth Oregon player to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, joining quarterback Norm Van Brocklin (class of 1966), running back John Kitzmiller (1969), tackle John Beckett (1972), running back Mel Renfro (1986) and running back Ahmad Rashad (2007). Former Oregon coaches Len Casanova (1977) and Mike Bellotti (2014) are also in the hall of fame.
“Selection to the College Football Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor for LaMichael,” UO director of athletics Rob Mullens said. “... The legacy LaMichael left in Eugene is everlasting and a significant reason for the continued success of our football program."
During James' three seasons at Oregon (2009-11), the Ducks won three conference titles and reached three consecutive BCS bowls, including the BCS National Championship game following the 2010 season. They also went to the Rose Bowl following the 2009 and 2011 seasons.
James was Oregon's first unanimous first-team All-American (2010) and consensus two-time All-American (2010 and 2011). He ranks second all-time at Oregon in career rushing yards (5,082), all-purpose yards (5,869), rushing touchdowns (53), 100-yard rushing games (26) and total points scored (348). He holds the program record with seven career 200-yard rushing performances.
In 2010, James won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after leading the nation in rushing yards (1,731), yards from scrimmage (1,939) and touchdowns (24). His 21 rushing touchdowns from 2010 are tied for the UO single-season record, and his 144 points scored are the most ever in a season by a Duck.
James was a second-round NFL Draft selection by San Francisco in 2012 and he played for the 49ers (2012-14) and Miami Dolphins (2014-15) before retiring. James is now the owner-operator of Killer Burger franchises in Lake Oswego and Beaverton, and he's opening the second Killer Burger location in Eugene this year.
Follow Chris Hansen on Twitter @chansen_RG or email at chansen@registerguard.com.
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This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon Duck LaMichael James will join College Football Hall of Fame
