Detroit Lions: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time
By Brad Weiss
James Stewart. 6. player. 50. . Running Back. (2000-02)
James Stewart arrived in Detroit for the 2000 NFL season. He quickly became the feature back they were hoping he would become.
A former first-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Stewart never had a real breakout season during his time in Florida. However, he did set a single-game record for the Jaguars against the Philadelphia Eagles by scoring five touchdowns in a single game.
When he hit free agency in 2000, the Lions were quick to pounce, inserting him in to the starting lineup as their feature back. In 2000, Stewart started all 16 games for the first, and only time in his career. He had his best season as a pro, as he went over 1,000 yards for the first time.
In that first season in Detroit, Stewart rushed for 1,154 yards and 10 touchdowns, by far career-highs in both categories. He would play in only 11 games in 2001, before eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark once again in 2002, his final full season as the team’s running back. Stewart rushed for 1,024 yards that season.
Unfortunately, Stewart’s career came to an end in the worst possible way, as former Buffalo Bills defender Coy Wire said he targeted him in Gregg Williams bounty system. The hit was clean, but he was cheered for hurting Stewart, as his final season in Detroit ended in the preseason.
One can only wonder how many 1,000-yard seasons Stewart still had in the tank, as he was entering his age-32 season. For a fleeting moment in time, the Lions had a guy they could rely on in the backfield. It is too bad his career ended the way it did.