James Lofton

James David Lofton (born July 5, 1956) is a former American football player and coach. He is a former American football coach for the San Diego Chargers but is best known for his years in the National Football League as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers (1978–1986), Los Angeles Raiders (1987–1988), the Buffalo Bills (1989–1992), Los Angeles Rams (1993) and Philadelphia Eagles (1993). He was also the NCAA champion in the long jump in 1978 while attending Stanford University. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

High school career

Lofton prepped at George Washington High School in Los Angeles, California where he played quarterback and safety.

College career

Lofton graduated from Stanford University. As a senior in 1977, Lofton received 57 passes for 1,010 yards (17.72 yards per reception average) with 14 touchdowns, and was an AP & NEA Second Team All-American selection. He was a member of Theta Delta Chi Fraternity.

Track and field

Lofton won the long jump at the 1978 NCAA Track and Field Championships with a wind-aided jump of 26 feet 11¾ inches. He won the long jump at the 1974 CIF California State Meet with a jump of 24 feet 3½ inches after placing sixth in this meet the year before. He was also a sprinter of note, with a best of 20.5 in the 200 meter. He has been an active participant in Masters track and field since 1997.

James Lofton (baseball)

James O'Neal Lofton (born March 6, 1974 in Los Angeles, California) is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the 2001 season. Listed at 5' 9", 170 lb., he was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.

In an eight-game career, Lofton was a .192 hitter (5-for-25) with one run, a double, one RBI, and two stolen bases. In seven fielding appearances, he committed two errors in 25 chances for a .920 fielding percentage.

Lofton also played in the Boston, Baltimore and Cincinnati minor league systems (1993–2007), as well as in several independent leagues. He was named an All-Star in the Pioneer (1994) and Western (2000) leagues. In 14 minor league seasons, he was a .272 hitter with 55 home runs and 504 RBI in 1173 games.

Lofton is believed to be related to former MLB outfielder Kenny Lofton. James has stated, "Yeah I think he's like my second or third cousin, something like that. Too bad I only got his second or third talent."