James integrated Fairfield High School football, basketball, and track programs lettering in all three. Many of his friends and students at Fairfield would say “He was my, or our protector” from many of the pitfalls of integration some of which he had endured himself. The crusades of the name "BIG O" was only fitting. He was an All-State Basketball Player in 1968. He was also named All-Metro Football Player in Jefferson County in 1968 and 1969. He was the only player to ever be named to the Birmingham Post Herald's All Metro teams at two different positions; split end and half back. He was Most Valuable Running Back for Fairfield and the most sought after black player in the State of Alabama in 1969.