given to the best defensive player in the country, and was a finalist for the Butkus Award, which is awarded to the best linebacker in the country. In 2007, James won the Butkus Award. In fact, Sports Illustrated made a joke about borrowing his father's shoulder pads and later did an interview with him that included a picture of him wearing them. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round as the 35th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and played with the Rams through the team's final season in St. Louis in 2015, after which he moved to the New Orleans Saints. In July 2016, Laurinaitis was named part of a class action lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that wrestlers incurred traumatic brain injuries during their tenure and that the company concealed the risks of injury. The suit was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who had been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE. US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant dismissed the lawsuit in September 2018. An appeal was filed but the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit dismissed it two weeks before Laurinaitis's death. Death Laurinaitis died of a heart attack on September 22, 2020, ten days after his 60th birthday, at the Margaritaville Resort (formerly known as the Tan-Tar-A Resort) in Osage Beach, Missouri. WWE released a statement regarding his death. Former Road Warriors manager Paul Ellering along with numerous others also paid tribute. It was later confirmed that Laurinaitis died from a sudden heart attack shortly after he and his wife's wedding anniversary celebrations. He had collapsed on the bed when he and his wife went back to their room. Championships and accomplishmentsAll Japan Pro WrestlingNWA International Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Road Warrior HawkAmerican Wrestling AssociationAWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Road Warrior HawkCauliflower Alley ClubTag Team Award (2020) George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Frank Gotch Award (2012)Georgia Championship WrestlingNWA National Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Road Warrior Hawki-Generation Superstars of Wrestlingi-Generation Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Road Warrior HawkIndependent Pro WrestlingIPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Road Warrior HawkInternational Wrestling SuperstarsIWS World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Road Warrior HawkJim Crockett Promotions / World Championship WrestlingNWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Road Warrior