James Baron (born June 8, 1973) is a former arena football defensive lineman in the Arena Football League. He was the Arena Football League Players Association's (AFLPA) president as well. In his career, Baron has played for the Detroit Lions, the Nashville Kats, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Rush. He was one of only two players to play in all 80 games with the original Nashville Kats franchise, including ten postseason contests, quarterback Andy Kelly being the other. He also had a streak of 131 consecutive games played (including playoffs), which came to an end when he missed the first two games of the 2005 season with a foot injury. He also is the Kats' franchise leader in sacks with 34. He also holds team records for sacks in one season with 7.0. High school and college Baron attended Donald E Gavit Jr./Sr. High School in Hammond, Indiana where he participated in wrestling and football. As a junior at Gavit High, he was a 1990 Junior Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling. He was also an All-State selection in football his senior season. He graduated in 1991. College career Baron attended Iowa Central Community College and Triton Junior College in Illinois, each for one year, prior to transferring to Virginia Tech for his junior year. While at Virginia Tech, he was named the most-improved defensive player before his junior season. He played ten games during the 1994 season, recording 41 tackles, five for losses and five sacks. He recorded three sacks against Arkansas State in his first game as a Hokie. He also played in a loss to Tennessee in the 1994 Gator Bowl. He also had 30 quarterback pressures, three tackles for loss and two sacks in 1995. As a senior, he started six games at defensive tackle and recorded 52 tackles, helping lead the Hokies to the Big East title and a win over Texas in the 1996 Sugar Bowl. He recorded a career-high 13 tackles and blocked a field goal in a win over Cincinnati. He also returned a fumble 46 yards for a touchdown in a win over Temple. He was also a Liberal arts major. Professional career 1990s Baron went unselected in the 1996 NFL Draft, however he was signed by the Detroit Lions, and spent time in their training camp. After not being able to make a teams roster in 1996, he signed with