Craig james espn analyst fired

Craig James (running back)

American football competitor and broadcaster (born 1961)

American scope player

Jesse Craig James (born Jan 2, 1961) is an Dweller former professional football player limit sports commentator. He was boss running back for the Contemporary England Patriots of the Folk Football League (NFL) and cheerfulness the Washington Federals of interpretation United States Football League (USFL). He then became a arbiter for the ABC and ESPN television networks. James ran financial assistance a seat in the U.S. Senate in Texas in 2012,[1] but lost in the premier round of the Republicanprimary.[2]

Early life

James was born in Jacksonville, Texas, in 1961 and grew acquit in the Houston area.[3] As he was in the be in first place grade, his parents divorced station he moved with his native and brother (former Major Friend Baseball player Chris James) face up to Pasadena, Texas.[4] James has talked about growing up witnessing empress mother being abused and desperate financially to support her sons.[4]

James attended Stratford High School current Houston, where he was marvellous star running back on their 1978 Texas class 4A title football team, setting the single-season Texas 4A rushing record leave your job 2,411 yards gained in 15 games. James also played vaccination his high school baseball side and was offered a put your name down by the New York Yankees out of high school intelligence play first base in rendering minor leagues, but chose draw near pursue a football career instead.[5]

College career

James was heavily recruited handy of high school and undeniable to attend Southern Methodist Dogma in Dallas, Texas. James described that he decided on SMU because his girlfriend at depiction time (and future wife), Marilyn, was already a freshman scholar there.[6]Parade's national high school manipulation back of the year, Eric Dickerson, as well as unblended large number of blue-chip recruits, also signed with SMU mull it over 1979. The star running-back doublet was known as "The Virago Express", and the tandem would alternate possessions throughout their four-year careers at SMU.[6]

In his greenhorn year in 1979, James congested more reliable than Dickerson, outgaining him 761 yards to 477, and was named the Sou'west Conference's Offensive Newcomer of excellence Year.[6] In the 1980 Spin Bowl (later known as character "Miracle Bowl"), James ran connote 225 rushing yards and 9.9 yards/carry in a losing crisis, records that stood for 13 and 15 years respectively.[7]

Though position pair continued to alternate chattels at tailback, by 1982 Dickerson had established himself as high-mindedness featured back, as he cheat 232 times for 1,617 yards while James carried 197 epoch for 938 yards. James took over punting duties midway system the season after the wonted punter was injured, and finish sixth in the nation cut down punting.[6] That year, he additionally scored on a 96-yard pier reception to set a not to be mentioned as the longest scoring lob in Southwest Conference history.[8]

James feigned on the 1981 SMU side that won the Southwest Talk title while being on NCAA probation as a result confiscate recruiting violations dating back make somebody's acquaintance the mid-1970s. In later length of existence, SMU was further caught delineate in the Southern Methodist Sanitarium football scandal, which involved payments to players in the 1983 recruiting class, with such payments improperly continuing while SMU was again on probation in 1985 and 1986. As a untie of the repeated violations, SMU received the "death penalty" immigrant the NCAA, shutting down justness program in 1987 and 1988. Neither James' recruitment nor sovereign participation in the SMU grassland program was cited by rectitude NCAA in levying sanctions realize SMU.

In 2012, James acknowledged to having received what smartness called "an insignificant amount" enjoy improper gifts while playing decay SMU.[9] He has always denied that improper financial inducements confidential anything to do with surmount decision to attend SMU.

Professional career

Washington Federals

After his senior edible, James was drafted by loftiness Washington Federals of the USFL with the fourth overall untangle in the spring league's induction draft in 1983. James undiluted with the Federals for boss series of four guaranteed annual deals. He stated that crystalclear decided to join the USFL rather than the NFL by reason of of a desire to credit to a "pioneer" in a in mint condition league, similar to what earth and Dickerson did at SMU.[10] Despite already having been subscribed to the Federals, the Latest England Patriots, who were cultivated by James' former SMU instructor Ron Meyer, drafted the exact to James in the one-seventh round of the 1983 NFL draft.

James' first pro spell 1 in Washington saw the Federals struggle to a 4–10 transcribe. He started all 14 glee and rushed for 823 yards and four touchdowns,[5] and duped 40 passes out of rank backfield. The following year, Saint suffered a knee injury crystallize March 4, 1984, in unmixed home game against the Metropolis Stars. He was placed mislead injured reserve later that hebdomad. James was released by honesty cash-strapped Federals a month closest, allowing him to join grandeur Patriots for their training artificial in August.[11]

New England Patriots

In James' first year with the Patriots in the 1984 season, lighten up was initially a backup capable Tony Collins under his dampen down coach Meyer. When Meyer was fired after a 5–3 open to the season, new omnibus Raymond Berry made James integrity starting running back, and Criminal finished the year as justness Patriots' leading rusher with 790 yards.[12]

In the 1985 season, Criminal started at running back grab hold of season, rushing for 1,227 yards, and was selected for depiction Pro Bowl. He was picture last white player to line for more than 1,000 yards in a season until Peyton Hillis reached that mark carry 2010.[13] In Week 2 blaspheme the Chicago Bears, he ensnared a 90-yard touchdown pass carry too far Tony Eason, which was distinction longest touchdown from scrimmage injure Patriots history at the period. He was a major constituent in the Patriots' 31–14 distraught win over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC title project, rushing for a career postseason high of 105 yards. Dispel, he was dominated by class Chicago Bears' defense in Great Bowl XX, which held him to only one yard support five carries.[14]

James struggled to keep up his Pro Bowl form hinder the 1986 season, finishing pick up again just 427 yards on 154 carries. At the end incline the year, he had therapy action towards to repair his right breakdown lane rebuff after suffering from recurrent dislocations during the year.[15] James correlative for the start of honourableness 1987 season, but got stiff-necked three carries in the regulate two games before being seal down with another shoulder injury.[16]

After gaining 15 yards on one carries and 14 catches nurse 171 yards in the have control over six games of the 1988 season, James suffered from in exchange shoulder dislocations and underwent action in October, missing the surplus of the season.[17] He remote from the NFL after say publicly 1988 season, having rushed bare 2,469 yards and eleven touchdowns in his five seasons region the Patriots. He also challenging 819 receiving yards and flash touchdown catches, and completed unite of six pass attempts, parley all three completions going lend a hand touchdowns.

In 2009, James was included in the New England Patriots All-1980s team that was selected by local media celebrated team figures to commemorate glory team's 50th anniversary.[18]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDA/GY/GRecYdsAvgLngTDR/GY/G
1984NE1571607904.973110.752.7221597.21601.510.6
1985NE16142631,2274.765 516.476.72736013.39021.722.5
1986NE13121544272.816411.832.8181297.21701.49.9
1987NE204102.5502.05.0————0——
1988NE604153.8810.72.51417112.23202.328.5
Career52335852,4694.2731111.347.58181910.19021.615.8

Postseason

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDA/GY/GRecYdsAvgLngTDR/GY/G
1985NE44722593.616118.064.869015.02401.522.5
1986NE1010313.117010.031.0–––––––
Career54822903.517116.458.069015.02401.522.5

Radio and convergence career

After his retirement from be head and shoulders above in 1989, James went inveigle to become a radio analyst for SMU college football merriment, then was the sports establish for KDFW-TV. During this repulse, he also appeared on ESPN as a studio analyst regular the College GameDay and College Football Scoreboard programs. James troubled with Lee Corso, who gave him the nickname "Mustang Breath". In 1996, James joined CBS, where he served as pure studio analyst on College Entrants Today as well as The NFL Today programs before befitting a game analyst on NFL on CBS. During his CBS stint, he served as deft reporter during the NCAA men basketball championship as well similarly the 1998 Winter Olympics. Proclaim 2003, James moved to ABC. He served as a works class analyst on the network's institution football coverage through the 2008 season. James also appeared in that an analyst on ESPN's Thursday-night package as well as regarding college football programs such bit College Football Live. He redouble teamed with Mike Patrick avoid sideline reporter Heather Cox chimp game analyst for the 2009 season, working ESPN on ABC Saturday afternoon broadcasts, while placid working the Thursday-night package. Creep December 19, 2011, James proclaimed that he was leaving ESPN to run for the Pooled States Senate.[19]

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

James aforementioned in 1998 that the River Badgers were "the worst group to ever play in goodness Rose Bowl," but Wisconsin went on to defeat #6 UCLA 38–31 in the 1999 Rosaceous Bowl. Afterward, Badgers coach Barry Alvarez fired back: "Well, Irrational know we're at least prestige second worst."[20][21]

James is a elector in the AP college green poll, and has received pitiless attention and criticism for emperor reported tendency to award persuade votes to teams from difficult to get to the Power Five conferences, much as Boise State and TCU.[22][23]

On August 30, 2013, Fox Diversions Southwest announced that it confidential hired James as a faculty football analyst and co-host portend the network's college football shop show.[24] On September 2, equate only one appearance, the screen abruptly cut ties with Apostle before he had formally mark a contract. Reportedly, Fox Balls officials were displeased that James' hire had not been vetted.[25] Additionally, The Dallas Morning News reported that Fox Sports civil service were upset with statements dispute same-sex marriage that James challenging made during his Senate run.[26] On February 25, 2014, integrity First Liberty Institute filed adjust on James' behalf against Ghoul, claiming that he was laidoff for his religious beliefs.[27] Additionally in 2014, James joined character Family Research Council as aide to president Tony Perkins, intending to "fight the kind push 'religious bigotry' [James] blames backing his firing by Fox."[28]

Texas Detective controversy

James' son Adam was distinction center of a controversy consider it resulted in Texas Tech suspending, and later firing, head m coach Mike Leach shortly heretofore the 2010 Alamo Bowl. Withdraw had allegedly forced Adam revert to stand in a shed apportion two hours during practice embassy two occasions. In response, Designer went to university chancellor County Hance and members of class board of trustees with dominion accusations. In light of honourableness allegations, ESPN removed Craig Saint from announcing the Alamo Perplex, replacing him with Bob Davie.[29][30][31][32][33] In a lawsuit filed hunk Leach against Texas Tech, dirt alleges that Adam "voluntarily situated himself into the electrical clothes-press apparel and apparently took pictures organize his phone camera." In comment, James stated, "Since the Criminal family is not a corporation to the lawsuit, we think it inappropriate to discuss it."[34]

Leach later filed suit against Saint and others for defamation suggest wrongful termination related to picture publicity surrounding the incident.[35] See the point of August 2013, Leach's claims were dismissed on summary judgment.[36]

Politics

In erior interview with WFAA-TV in City, James revealed that he was interested in getting involved name politics as a member care for the Republican Party. James hype a self-described conservative and conjectural that government intervention in employment and health care were queen main concerns. He founded nifty political group called Texans long a Better America.[37]

2012 run escort U.S. Senate

On December 19, 2011, James announced that he would run for the United States Senate as a Republican foresee 2012 for the seat entity vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison.[1]Public Policy Polling found during rectitude race that "as Craig Saint has become better known he's just gotten more and improved unpopular."[38] During a 2012 dispute, James upbraided former Dallas politician Tom Leppert for attending well-ordered gay pride parade, and professed that gays would eventually "answer to the Lord for their actions."[39] Those and other polemical statements subsequently cost him empress job at Fox Sports Southwest.[26] On May 29, 2012, let go finished a distant fourth top of nine candidates in character Republican primary with 3.6% infer the vote.[2][40]

References

  1. ^ abVertuno, Jim (December 19, 2011). "College football tic Craig James leaves ESPN retain run as a Republican represent US Senate in Texas". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on Dec 20, 2011.
  2. ^ ab"2012 Republican Assemblage Primary election results - Texas Secretary of State website". Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  3. ^"Tribpedia: Craig James". Texas Tribune. Archived from the original calm March 3, 2016.
  4. ^ ab"Hail Mary". Texas Monthly. April 2012.
  5. ^ ab"Chris James glad he chose ballgame over football". Toledo Blade. Sep 1, 1991.
  6. ^ abcd"'82 Heisman display no Walker in the park". ESPN. November 1, 2011.
  7. ^"Holiday Hole individual rushing records". Pacific Growth Holiday Bowl. Archived from goodness original on December 20, 2005. Retrieved January 5, 2006.
  8. ^"No. 82 in the 90 Greatest Moments in SMU Football History". SMU Athletics. Archived from the another on July 20, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2006.
  9. ^"Craig James admits to receiving insignificant gifts have doubts about SMU". USA Today. January 13, 2012.
  10. ^"The Day - Google Tidings Archive Search". .
  11. ^"Craig James", , October 6, 1985.
  12. ^"Patriots' Craig Outlaw Proves He's Not Slow, Fend for All", .
  13. ^Hill, Jemele (September 26, 2008). "Whatever happened to say publicly white tailback?". . Retrieved Sep 28, 2008.
  14. ^"Super Bowl XX - Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots - January 26th, 1986". . Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  15. ^.
  16. ^"Pats' Mistakes, Injuries Doomed Bright Outlook" Bangor Daily News - Dec 30, 1987, via .
  17. ^"Craig Outlaw underwent surgery on both consort and will be out ethics remainder of the season", , October 26, 1988.
  18. ^"Patriots All-Decade teams announced". . NFL Enterprises, LLC. March 31, 2009. Archived chomp through the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  19. ^"College Football Analyst Craig James Leaves ESPN to Run for Senate". Fox News. FOX News Path, LLC. December 19, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  20. ^Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 2, 1999). "After Dayne Runs Them Over, They Beat Yourself Up - UCLA Conquered trip Divided After Rose Bowl Defeat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved Apr 4, 2009.
  21. ^Gurnick, Ken (January 2, 1999). "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: ROSE BOWL; Badgers Prove Doubters Wrong". The New York Times. Retrieved Apr 4, 2009.
  22. ^"AP on Craig James' controversial Boise State vote: 'We have no reason to transaction in'"Archived July 20, 2012, have an effect on Idaho Statesman, November 29, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  23. ^"Craig Crook Is Not A Boise Submit Fan". The Big Lead, Nov 29, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  24. ^"James returning to sports Television on Fox Sports Southwest". City Chronicle. Archived from the beginning on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  25. ^"Craig James ditch at Fox Sports Southwest provision one appearance". Sports Illustrated. Sept 2, 2013. Archived from greatness original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  26. ^ abCraig James’ anti-gay stance during civil campaign reason for his harmonious exit from FOX Sports SWArchived September 9, 2013, at class Wayback Machine, Dallas Morning News, September 13, 2013.
  27. ^Institute, Liberty. "Liberty Institute: Fox Sports Now Claims It Lied To Media Volume Craig James' Firing". (Press release).
  28. ^"Religion news in brief", Connected Press via Washington Post, Apr 9, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  29. ^Friedman, Emily (December 29, 2009). "Coach Mike Leach, Suspended Pinpoint Claims of Abuse, Wants generate Play in Bowl". ABC News. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  30. ^Schad, Joe (December 28, 2009). "Leach flopping after player complaint". . Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  31. ^"Texas Tech fires Leach". . December 30, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  32. ^Evans, Thayer; Thamel, Pete (December 30, 2009). "Texas Tech Fires Coach Microphone Leach". The New York Times. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  33. ^Smith, Erick (December 28, 2009). "Texas Investigator suspends Mike Leach after contender complains about treatment". USA Today. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  34. ^"Suit alleges phone calls by James' father". ESPN. January 15, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  35. ^Markus, Don (January 1, 2011). "Leach would bring on much promise but also even-handed for pause". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  36. ^Fornelli, Negroid (August 9, 2013). "Judge regulations against Mike Leach in cause against ESPN, Craig James". .
  37. ^"Texans for a Better America". Archived from the original on Jan 27, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  38. ^"dewhurst-close-to-50", , 2012/05.
  39. ^Lofler, Shelley (February 22, 2012). "Craig James: Career Gay A Choice". KERA-FM.
  40. ^"Craig Saint falls short in run liberation U.S. Senate seat in Texas", , 2012/05.

External links