Former Texas A&M running back Ira Valentine passes away at 59

Former Texas A&M and Houston Oilers running back Ira Valentine passed away Wednesday from a heart attack, according to NBC’s Pro Football Talk. He was 59 years old.

Valentine was a four-year letterwinner under coach Jackie Sherrill, playing on the 1985 and 1986 SWC championship teams. He had 101 carries for 486 yards and six touchdowns during his career in College Station. The Aggies reached the Cotton Bowl in both of the years that Valentine played for them.

At the conclusion of his college career, Valentine was a 12th-round selection in the 1987 NFL Draft to the Houston Oilers. He played one season in the NFL, seeing action in seven games as a rookie. Valentine totaled seven touches for 20 yards and one punt return for 13 yards.

Ira Valentine rushed for career-high 194 yards during his final season with the Aggies in 1986, that coming after rushing for 148 yards a year prior in 1985. His arrival to the program in 1982 coincided with that of Sherrill, who remained at the helm through the 1988 season before he was replaced by R.C. Slocum.

Over Valentine’s final two seasons in College Station, the Aggies finished with an impressive record of 19-5. That included a 10-2 finish in the 1985 season during which they also took out Auburn in the Cotton Bowl. Valentine finished that season fourth on the team in rushing with 148 yards and three touchdowns on just 30 carries. He again finished fourth among all Aggies with 194 yards rushing in 1986 in addition to a pair of touchdowns.

His memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in his hometown of Marshall, Texas. Valentine was born on June 3 of 1963 in Marshall, having just celebrated his 59th birthday. Thoughts are certainly with his friends and family members during this difficult time.