Ron (Po) James scored only fifty points in each
of his first two seasons as a powerhouse running back at New
Brighton High School but
romped for 200 points in his famous 1967 season, earned first team All State honors from both
the AP and UPI, was named a high school All American, and earned a
starting assignment in the annual Big 33 All Star game. Po played
his college football at New Mexico State University, where he set an
NCAA rushing record of 1782 yards that was finally broken by
Herschel Walker of Georgia in 1980. Po compiled a college career
rushing total of 3884 yards for an average of 4.75 yards per carry.
His four year total offense of 5979 yards included 172 kickoff
returns for 1870 yards and an average of 26 yards per return. He
received several All American honors. In 1972 Po was a fourth
round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, earning a starting
post during his first season and rushing for 565 yards on 182 carries, adding 156 yards on 20 pass receptions and another 413 yards on
sixteen kickoff returns. After he was released by the Eagles in
1976, Po continued to reside in the Philadelphia area and was the
director of the Baptist Children’s Services.
Ron (Po) James scored only fifty points in each
of his first two seasons as a powerhouse running back at New
Brighton High School but
romped for 200 points in his famous 1967 season, earned first team All State honors from both
the AP and UPI, was named a high school All American, and earned a
starting assignment in the annual Big 33 All Star game. Po played
his college football at New Mexico State University, where he set an
NCAA rushing record of 1782 yards that was finally broken by
Herschel Walker of Georgia in 1980. Po compiled a college career
rushing total of 3884 yards for an average of 4.75 yards per carry.
His four year total offense of 5979 yards included 172 kickoff
returns for 1870 yards and an average of 26 yards per return. He
received several All American honors. In 1972 Po was a fourth
round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, earning a starting
post during his first season and rushing for 565 yards on 182 carries, adding 156 yards on 20 pass receptions and another 413 yards on
sixteen kickoff returns. After he was released by the Eagles in
1976, Po continued to reside in the Philadelphia area and was the
director of the Baptist Children’s Services.