Gamecocks Mourn the Passing of James Seawright

July 20, 2014

Former All-American linebacker James Seawright, a member of the University of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, passed away Friday.

Seawright earned Associated Press and Football Writers All-America first-team honors and was a second-team selection by United Press International and Football News in 1984. He recorded 384 career tackles, fourth on the school’s all-time list, including a school-record 29 stops against North Carolina State in 1984. He was a leader on the 10-2 “Fire Ants” defense and “Black Magic” team of 1984. He was selected by the Lettermen’s Association into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.

Seawright attended Hillcrest High School from 1977-1981, before beginning his college career. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 11th round of the 1985 NFL Draft, an event marked with a day of honor by the City of Simpsonville.

Seawright lost his battle with cancer on July 18.