Former K-State football player, politician Littlejohn remembered
as 'trailblazer'
Some may remember John “J.B.” Littlejohn as a standout football
player at Kansas
State in the 1950s. Others may remember him as an accomplished
politician here in
Shawnee County.
Former Kansas House Speaker Doug Mays prefers to think of
Littlejohn in a different
light.
“J.B. was a trailblazer who led a life of excellence,” Mays
wrote The Topeka Capital-
Journal in a recent email.
Littlejohn died July 6 in Dallas. Memorial services for him will
be held at 11 a.m.
Saturday at Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 2420 S.E. Bellview
Ave.
Littlejohn grew up in Texas before earning All-America junior
college honors for Dodge
City Community College in 1956 and 1957. He played his final two
years of collegiate
football at K-State, contributing on both offense and
defense.
Littlejohn played 20 games for the Wildcats in 1958-59. He
rushed for 139 yards and
made four receptions for 34 yards, despite spending much of his
time at linebacker for
teams that went 3-7 and 2-8.
Following his stint at K-State, Littlejohn was drafted by the
Green Bay Packers in 1960,
taken in the 16th round with the 185th overall pick.
“Although J.B. was used as a linebacker here at Kansas State,
I’m sure he will be
switched to the defensive halfback spot in professional ball,”
former K-State coach
coach Bus Mertes, who led the Wildcats from 1955-59, said
following the 1960 draft.
“He has all the makings for a good halfback. We just had to use
him as a linebacker to
fill a gap.”
Although Littlejohn never distinguished himself professionally
on the gridiron, he did
in the political arena.
Littlejohn, a Republican, was elected to the Kansas House of
Representatives in 1976
from the 52nd District in Shawnee County. He served two terms
and, according to
Mays, was the first African-American member of the Legislature
elected from Shawnee
County.
While in the House, Littlejohn served on several committees,
including energy and
natural resources, labor and industry, and commercial and
financial institutions.
“J.B. was highly respected during his time in the House,” Mays
said.
