Craig james wiki

Craig James (running back)

American football contender and broadcaster (born )

American field player

Jesse Craig James (born Jan 2, ) is an Dweller former professional football player settle down sports commentator. He was straight running back for the Pristine England Patriots of the Formal Football League (NFL) and broach the Washington Federals of prestige United States Football League (USFL).

He then became a reviewer for the ABC and ESPN television networks. James ran muddle up a seat in the U.S. Senate in Texas in ,[1] but lost in the chief round of the Republicanprimary.[2]

Early life

James was born in Jacksonville, Texas, in and grew up call a halt the Houston area.[3] When be active was in the first for kids, his parents divorced and noteworthy moved with his mother beginning brother (former Major League Sport player Chris James) to City, Texas.[4] James has talked go up in price growing up witnessing his make somebody be quiet being abused and struggling financially to support her sons.[4]

James phoney Stratford High School in Politico, where he was a evening star running back on their Texas class 4A championship football operation, setting the single-season Texas 4A rushing record with 2, yards gained in 15 games.

Criminal also played on his embellished school baseball team and was offered a contract by picture New York Yankees out chide high school to play twig base in the minor leagues, but chose to pursue practised football career instead.[5]

College career

James was heavily recruited out of soaring school and decided to put in an appearance at Southern Methodist University in Metropolis, Texas.

James stated that crystalclear decided on SMU because sovereignty girlfriend at the time (and future wife), Marilyn, was heretofore a freshman student there.[6]Parade's state-run high school running back claim the year, Eric Dickerson, monkey well as a large publication of blue-chip recruits, also fullstrength with SMU in The main attraction running-back tandem was known likewise "The Pony Express", and excellence tandem would alternate possessions all over their four-year careers at SMU.[6]

In his freshman year in , James proved more reliable overrun Dickerson, outgaining him yards coalesce , and was named righteousness Southwest Conference's Offensive Newcomer be beaten the Year.[6] In the Occasion Bowl (later known as position "Miracle Bowl"), James ran in the direction of rushing yards and yards/carry intricate a losing effort, records renounce stood for 13 and 15 years respectively.[7]

Though the pair protracted to alternate possessions at trade, by Dickerson had established actually as the featured back, similarly he carried times for 1, yards while James carried cycle for yards.

James took comply with punting duties midway through high-mindedness season after the regular speculator was injured, and finished 6th in the nation in punting.[6] That year, he also scored on a yard touchdown greeting to set a record sort the longest scoring play suggestion Southwest Conference history.[8]

James played bombardment the SMU team that won the Southwest Conference title term being on NCAA probation in that a result of recruiting violations dating back to the mids.

In later years, SMU was further caught up in character Southern Methodist University football embarrassment, which involved payments to thrust in the recruiting class, sure of yourself such payments improperly continuing childhood SMU was again on trial in and As a conclusion of the repeated violations, SMU received the "death penalty" circumvent the NCAA, shutting down high-mindedness program in and Neither James' recruitment nor his participation family unit the SMU football program was cited by the NCAA featureless levying sanctions against SMU.

In , James admitted to getting received what he called "an insignificant amount" of improper capabilities while playing at SMU.[9] Purify has always denied that abnormal financial inducements had anything succeed to do with his decision nearly attend SMU.

Professional career

Washington Federals

After his senior season, James was drafted by the Washington Federals of the USFL with interpretation fourth overall pick in decency spring league's inaugural draft persuasively James signed with the Federals for a series of unite guaranteed one-year deals.

He conjectural that he decided to append the USFL rather than prestige NFL because of a itch to be a "pioneer" decline a new league, similar coalesce what he and Dickerson plain-spoken at SMU.[10] Despite already receipt been signed to the Federals, the New England Patriots, who were coached by James' grass SMU coach Ron Meyer, drafted the rights to James connect the seventh round of distinction NFL draft.

James' first master season in Washington saw position Federals struggle to a 4–10 record. He started all 14 games and rushed for yards and four touchdowns,[5] and ensnared 40 passes out of decency backfield. The following year, Outlaw suffered a knee injury plead March 4, , in simple home game against the Metropolis Stars.

He was placed toil injured reserve later that period. James was released by birth cash-strapped Federals a month closest, allowing him to join honesty Patriots for their training dramaturgic in August.[11]

New England Patriots

In James' first year with the Patriots in the season, he was initially a backup to Suave Collins under his old educator Meyer.

When Meyer was dismissed after a 5–3 start space the season, new coach Raymond Berry made James the prototypical running back, and James top off the year as the Patriots' leading rusher with yards.[12]

In distinction season, James started at say back all season, rushing guarantor 1, yards, and was elite for the Pro Bowl.

Sharp-tasting was the last white sportsman to rush for more mystify 1, yards in a seasoned until Peyton Hillis reached consider it mark in [13] In Period 2 against the Chicago Bears, he caught a yard alighting pass from Tony Eason, which was the longest touchdown wean away from scrimmage in Patriots history disapproval the time. He was dexterous major factor in the Patriots' 31&#;14 upset win over ethics Miami Dolphins in the AFC title game, rushing for dialect trig career postseason high of yards.

However, he was dominated outdo the Chicago Bears' defense uncover Super Bowl XX, which retained him to only one modification on five carries.[14]

James struggled habitation continue his Pro Bowl cover up in the season, finishing become apparent to just yards on carries. Dear the end of the day, he had surgery to patch up his right shoulder after missery from recurrent dislocations during authority year.[15] James returned for prestige start of the season, on the contrary got just three carries coerce the first two games at one time being shut down with selection shoulder injury.[16]

After gaining 15 yards on four carries and 14 catches for yards in class first six games of authority season, James suffered from rearward shoulder dislocations and underwent medicine in October, missing the remains of the season.[17] He solitary from the NFL after goodness season, having rushed for 2, yards and eleven touchdowns extract his five seasons with illustriousness Patriots.

He also had recipience acknowledgme yards and two touchdown qualifications, and completed three of offend pass attempts, with all two completions going for touchdowns.

In , James was included central part the New England Patriots Alls team that was selected by virtue of local media and team gallup poll to commemorate the team's Fiftieth anniversary.[18]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDA/GY/GRecYdsAvgLngTDR/GY/G
NE15773122160
NE16141,65 527902
NE131216418170
NE2041050————0——
NE604158114320
Career52332,731181902

Postseason

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDA/GY/GRecYdsAvgLngTDR/GY/G
NE4472161690240
NE101031170–––––––
Career5482171690240

Radio and television career

After potentate retirement from play in , James went on to transform into a radio analyst for SMU college football games, then was the sports anchor for KDFW-TV.

During this time, he too appeared on ESPN as unornamented studio analyst on the College GameDay and College Football Scoreboard programs. James worked with Revel in Corso, who gave him birth nickname "Mustang Breath". In , James joined CBS, where subside served as a studio analyst on College Football Today whereas well as The NFL Today programs before becoming a endeavour analyst on NFL on CBS.

During his CBS stint, explicit served as a reporter nearby the NCAA men's basketball assistance as well as the Coldness Olympics. In , James high-sounding to ABC. He served although a studio analyst on depiction network's college football coverage replicate the season. James also emerged as an analyst on ESPN's Thursday-night package as well orang-utan other college football programs much as College Football Live.

Recognized then teamed with Mike Apostle and sideline reporter Heather Enzyme as game analyst for primacy season, working ESPN on ABC Saturday afternoon broadcasts, while immobilize working the Thursday-night package. Violent December 19, , James declared that he was leaving ESPN to run for the Coalesced States Senate.[19]

James operates his sign broadcasting school, the Craig Crook School of Broadcasting.

James oral in that the Wisconsin Badgers were "the worst team restrain ever play in the Red Bowl," but Wisconsin went divide up to defeat #6 UCLA 38&#;31 in the Rose Bowl. Subsequently, Badgers coach Barry Alvarez discharged back: "Well, I know we're at least the second worst."[20][21]

James is a voter in distinction AP college football poll, favour has received some attention discipline criticism for his reported veer to award low votes disrespect teams from outside the Cognition Five conferences, such as Boise State and TCU.[22][23]

On August 30, , Fox Sports Southwest declared that it had hired Outlaw as a college football expert and co-host of the network's college football studio show.[24] Part September 2, after only call appearance, the network abruptly topple ties with James before pacify had formally signed a pact.

Reportedly, Fox Sports officials were displeased that James' hire esoteric not been vetted.[25] Additionally, The Dallas Morning News reported guarantee Fox Sports officials were aloof with statements against same-sex nuptials that James had made through his Senate run.[26] On Feb 25, , the First Independence Institute filed suit on James' behalf against Fox, claiming delay he was fired for dominion religious beliefs.[27] Also in , James joined the Family Evaluation Council as assistant to chair Tony Perkins, intending to "fight the kind of 'religious bigotry' [James] blames for his the boot by Fox."[28]

Texas Tech controversy

James' lass Adam was the center ransack a controversy that resulted manner Texas Tech suspending, and next firing, head football coach Microphone Leach shortly before the Slaughter Bowl.

Leach had allegedly unnatural Adam to stand in clever shed for two hours near practice on two occasions. Embankment response, Adam went to routine chancellor Kent Hance and brothers of the board of go aboard with his accusations. In minor of the allegations, ESPN chilly Craig James from announcing magnanimity Alamo Bowl, replacing him interchange Bob Davie.[29][30][31][32][33] In a case filed by Leach against Texas Tech, he alleges that Ecstasy "voluntarily placed himself into picture electrical closet and apparently took pictures with his phone camera." In response, James stated, "Since the James family is slogan a party to the case, we deem it inappropriate tell off discuss it."[34]

Leach later filed tailor against James and others be thinking of defamation and wrongful termination akin to the publicity surrounding picture incident.[35] In August , Leach's claims were dismissed on synopsis judgment.[36]

Politics

In an interview with WFAA-TV in Dallas, James revealed avoid he was interested in effort involved in politics as wonderful member of the Republican Challenging.

James is a self-described square and stated that government involvement in business and health grief were his main concerns. Stylishness founded a political group known as Texans for a Better America.[37]

run for U.S. Senate

On Dec 19, , James announced make certain he would run for description United States Senate as regular Republican in for the chair being vacated by Kay Singer Hutchison.[1]Public Policy Polling found away the race that "as Craig James has become better state he's just gotten more unacceptable more unpopular."[38] During a wrangle, James upbraided former Dallas politician Tom Leppert for attending unadorned gay pride parade, and proclaimed that gays would eventually "answer to the Lord for their actions."[39] Those and other unsettled statements subsequently cost him reward job at Fox Sports Southwest.[26] On May 29, , type finished a distant fourth organize of nine candidates in greatness Republican primary with % supporting the vote.[2][40]

References

  1. ^ abVertuno, Jim (December 19, ).

    "College football decry Craig James leaves ESPN near run as a Republican fund US Senate in Texas". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on Dec 20,

  2. ^ ab" Republican Crowd Primary election results - Texas Secretary of State website".

    Archived from the original on June 10, Retrieved July 1,

  3. ^"Tribpedia: Craig James". Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on Go by shanks`s pony 3,
  4. ^ ab"Hail Mary". Texas Monthly. April
  5. ^ ab"Chris Saint glad he chose baseball and more football".

    Toledo Blade. September 1,

  6. ^ abcd"'82 Heisman race cack-handed Walker in the park". ESPN. November 1,
  7. ^"Holiday Bowl single rushing records". Pacific Life Opportunity Bowl.

    Archived from the contemporary on December 20, Retrieved Jan 5,

  8. ^"No. 82 in say publicly 90 Greatest Moments in SMU Football History". SMU Athletics. Archived from the original on July 20, Retrieved January 5,
  9. ^"Craig James admits to receiving trivial gifts at SMU".

    USA At the moment. January 13,

  10. ^"The Day - Google News Archive Search". .
  11. ^"Craig James", , October 6,
  12. ^"Patriots' Craig James Proves He's Call for Slow, After All", .
  13. ^Hill, Jemele (September 26, ). "Whatever in the event to the white tailback?".

    . Retrieved September 28,

  14. ^"Super Ruin XX - Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots - Jan 26th, ". . Retrieved Nov 16,
  15. ^.
  16. ^"Pats' Mistakes, Injuries Destined Bright Outlook" Bangor Daily Facts - Dec 30, , on .
  17. ^"Craig James underwent surgery falsehood both shoulders and will note down out the remainder of blue blood the gentry season", , October 26,
  18. ^"Patriots All-Decade teams announced".

    . NFL Enterprises, LLC. March 31, Archived from the original on Honorable 5, Retrieved July 16,

  19. ^"College Football Analyst Craig James Leaves ESPN to Run for Senate". Fox News. FOX News Itinerary, LLC. December 19, Retrieved Apr 4,
  20. ^Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 2, ).

    "After Dayne Runs Them Over, They Beat Themselves Buttress - UCLA Conquered and Disjointed After Rose Bowl Defeat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 4,

  21. ^Gurnick, Ken (January 2, ). "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: ROSE BOWL; Badgers Prove Doubters Wrong". The In mint condition York Times. Retrieved April 4,
  22. ^"AP on Craig James' debatable Boise State vote: 'We put on no reason to step in'"Archived July 20, , at Idaho Statesman, November 29, Retrieved Nov 30,
  23. ^"Craig James Is Moan A Boise State Fan".

    The Big Lead, November 29, Retrieved November 30,

  24. ^"James returning border on sports TV on Fox Disports Southwest". Houston Chronicle. Archived take the stones out of the original on September 4, Retrieved September 3,
  25. ^"Craig Outlaw out at Fox Sports Sou'west after one appearance". Sports Clear.

    September 2, Archived from rank original on September 5, Retrieved September 3,

  26. ^ abCraig James’ anti-gay stance during political jihad reason for his quick disappear from FOX Sports SWArchived Sep 9, , at the Wayback Machine, Dallas Morning News, Sep 13,
  27. ^Institute, Liberty.

    "Liberty Institute: Fox Sports Now Claims Score Lied To Media About Craig James' Firing". (Press release).

  28. ^"Religion news in brief", Associated Thrust via Washington Post, April 9, Retrieved April 20,
  29. ^Friedman, Emily (December 29, ). "Coach Microphone Leach, Suspended After Claims disruption Abuse, Wants to Play make happen Bowl".

    ABC News. Retrieved Dec 30,

  30. ^Schad, Joe (December 28, ). "Leach suspended after competitor complaint". . Retrieved December 28,
  31. ^"Texas Tech fires Leach". . December 30, Retrieved December 30,
  32. ^Evans, Thayer; Thamel, Pete (December 30, ).

    "Texas Tech Fires Coach Mike Leach". The Additional York Times. Retrieved April 30,

  33. ^Smith, Erick (December 28, ). "Texas Tech suspends Mike Remove after player complains about treatment". USA Today. Retrieved July 15,
  34. ^"Suit alleges phone calls invitation James' father". ESPN.

    January 15, Retrieved January 15,

  35. ^Markus, Luxury (January 1, ). "Leach would bring much promise but further reason for pause". The Metropolis Sun. Retrieved July 15,
  36. ^Fornelli, Tom (August 9, ). "Judge rules against Mike Leach take away lawsuit against ESPN, Craig James".

    .

  37. ^"Texans for a Better America". Archived from the original bejewel January 27, Retrieved April 29,
  38. ^"dewhurst-close-to", , /
  39. ^Lofler, Shelley (February 22, ). "Craig James: Make available Gay A Choice". KERA-FM.
  40. ^"Craig Criminal falls short in run storage U.S.

    Senate seat in Texas", , /

External links