Dr. James Joseph Ailinger (July 10, 1901-March 27, 2001) was an American football player for the Buffalo Bisons of the National Football League. Playing as a reserve on several positions on the offensive line for only one season, 1924, he was, at the time of his death, the oldest surviving NFL player (Sam Dana, who was born in 1903, assumed that title after Ailinger's death).
Ailinger was part of an initiative to boost gate attendance for the Buffalo franchise, mixing local talent such as Ailinger with big-name stars such as Benny Boynton, Eddie Kaw, Pete Calac and Swede Youngstrom. He was paid US$50 for each game he was on the roster.
After the 1924 season, Ailinger swiftly retired (despite an offer to return to the team in 1925), and put the money he earned toward tuition for dental school. For fifty years afterward, Ailinger ran a successful dental practice in the city. He also remained involved in sports, officiating in 425 college football games (including several Army-Navy Games). He also spent time as the general manager of another Buffalo Bisons, a minor league hockey franchise of the same name.