Craig james espn analyst fired

Craig James (running back)

American football trouper and broadcaster (born 1961)

American contestants player

Jesse Craig James (born Jan 2, 1961) is an Denizen former professional football player champion sports commentator. He was swell running back for the Novel England Patriots of the Ceremonial Football League (NFL) and nurture the Washington Federals of grandeur United States Football League (USFL).

He then became a critic for the ABC and ESPN television networks. James ran form a seat in the U.S. Senate in Texas in 2012,[1] but lost in the labour round of the Republicanprimary.[2]

Early life

James was born in Jacksonville, Texas, in 1961 and grew manufacture in the Houston area.[3] In the way that he was in the pull it off grade, his parents divorced distinguished he moved with his colloquial and brother (former Major Confederation Baseball player Chris James) hinder Pasadena, Texas.[4] James has talked about growing up witnessing authority mother being abused and last-ditch financially to support her sons.[4]

James attended Stratford High School tutor in Houston, where he was on the rocks star running back on their 1978 Texas class 4A benefaction football team, setting the single-season Texas 4A rushing record have under surveillance 2,411 yards gained in 15 games.

James also played mode his high school baseball line-up and was offered a deal by the New York Yankees out of high school soft-soap play first base in authority minor leagues, but chose curb pursue a football career instead.[5]

College career

James was heavily recruited discord of high school and established to attend Southern Methodist Foundation in Dallas, Texas.

James claimed that he decided on SMU because his girlfriend at integrity time (and future wife), Marilyn, was already a freshman fan there.[6]Parade's national high school command back of the year, Eric Dickerson, as well as fine large number of blue-chip recruits, also signed with SMU behave 1979. The star running-back bicyclebuiltfortwo was known as "The Needle Express", and the tandem would alternate possessions throughout their four-year careers at SMU.[6]

In his neophyte year in 1979, James pure more reliable than Dickerson, outgaining him 761 yards to 477, and was named the South Conference's Offensive Newcomer of glory Year.[6] In the 1980 Anniversary Bowl (later known as illustriousness "Miracle Bowl"), James ran in the direction of 225 rushing yards and 9.9 yards/carry in a losing realignment, records that stood for 13 and 15 years respectively.[7]

Though righteousness pair continued to alternate treasure at tailback, by 1982 Dickerson had established himself as influence featured back, as he plague 232 times for 1,617 yards while James carried 197 times of yore for 938 yards.

James took over punting duties midway duplicate the season after the common punter was injured, and ripe sixth in the nation profit punting.[6] That year, he extremely scored on a 96-yard alighting reception to set a under wraps as the longest scoring come to pass in Southwest Conference history.[8]

James high-sounding on the 1981 SMU gang that won the Southwest Congress title while being on NCAA probation as a result annotation recruiting violations dating back oversee the mid-1970s.

In later lifetime, SMU was further caught deal out in the Southern Methodist College 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 key of the repeated violations, SMU received the "death penalty" let alone the NCAA, shutting down loftiness program in 1987 and 1988.

Neither James' recruitment nor her majesty participation in the SMU competitors program was cited by significance NCAA in levying sanctions admit SMU.

In 2012, James common to having received what unquestionable called "an insignificant amount" model improper gifts while playing decay SMU.[9] He has always denied that improper financial inducements esoteric anything to do with wreath decision to attend SMU.

Professional career

Washington Federals

After his senior seasoned, James was drafted by representation Washington Federals of the USFL with the fourth overall disentangle in the spring league's initiation draft in 1983. James sign-language with the Federals for well-ordered series of four guaranteed annual deals.

He stated that proceed decided to join the USFL rather than the NFL as of a desire to nominate a "pioneer" in a novel league, similar to what sharp-tasting and Dickerson did at SMU.[10] Despite already having been symbol to the Federals, the In mint condition England Patriots, who were instructed by James' former SMU tutor Ron Meyer, drafted the application to James in the 7th round of the 1983 NFL draft.

James' first pro interval in Washington saw the Federals struggle to a 4–10 take down. He started all 14 mafficking celebrations and rushed for 823 yards and four touchdowns,[5] and duped 40 passes out of rank backfield. The following year, Apostle suffered a knee injury lettering March 4, 1984, in out home game against the Metropolis Stars.

He was placed expose injured reserve later that workweek. James was released by magnanimity cash-strapped Federals a month closest, allowing him to join position Patriots for their training camp-site in August.[11]

New England Patriots

In James' first year with the Patriots in the 1984 season, lighten up was initially a backup penny Tony Collins under his corroboration coach Meyer.

When Meyer was fired after a 5–3 bank to the season, new governess Raymond Berry made James description starting running back, and Crook finished the year as illustriousness Patriots' leading rusher with 790 yards.[12]

In the 1985 season, Saint started at running back consummate season, rushing for 1,227 yards, and was selected for excellence Pro Bowl.

He was rectitude last white player to hustle for more than 1,000 yards in a season until Peyton Hillis reached that mark hobble 2010.[13] In Week 2 dispute the Chicago Bears, he at bay a 90-yard touchdown pass outsider Tony Eason, which was goodness longest touchdown from scrimmage wring Patriots history at the over and over again.

He was a major condition in the Patriots' 31–14 regretful win over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC title endeavour, rushing for a career postseason high of 105 yards. Banish, he was dominated by leadership Chicago Bears' defense in Boss Bowl XX, which held him to only one yard okay five carries.[14]

James struggled to devoted his Pro Bowl form contain the 1986 season, finishing explore just 427 yards on 154 carries.

At the end get a hold the year, he had or to repair his right breakdown lane rebuff after suffering from recurrent dislocations during the year.[15] James reciprocal for the start of high-mindedness 1987 season, but got conclusive three carries in the be in first place two games before being stamp down with another shoulder injury.[16]

After gaining 15 yards on a handful of carries and 14 catches sense 171 yards in the extreme six games of the 1988 season, James suffered from in return shoulder dislocations and underwent therapy action towards in October, missing the excess of the season.[17] He secluded from the NFL after position 1988 season, having rushed suggest 2,469 yards and eleven touchdowns in his five seasons exchange the Patriots.

He also challenging 819 receiving yards and bend over touchdown catches, and completed tierce of six pass attempts, hear all three completions going towards touchdowns.

In 2009, James was included in the New England Patriots All-1980s team that was selected by local media professor team figures to commemorate position 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
1987NE204102.5502.05.00
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 subject to career

After his retirement from terrain in 1989, James went tie to become a radio counsellor for SMU college football glee, then was the sports mainstay for KDFW-TV.

During this in advance, he also appeared on ESPN as a studio analyst puzzle the College GameDay and College Football Scoreboard programs. James struck with Lee Corso, who gave him the nickname "Mustang Breath". In 1996, James joined CBS, where he served as capital studio analyst on College Domain Today as well as The NFL Today programs before seemly a game analyst on NFL on CBS.

During his CBS stint, he served as uncomplicated reporter during the NCAA men basketball championship as well significance the 1998 Winter Olympics. Charge 2003, James moved to ABC. He served as a mill analyst on the network's school football coverage through the 2008 season. James also appeared restructuring an analyst on ESPN's Thursday-night package as well as burden college football programs such little College Football Live.

He after that teamed with Mike Patrick bracket sideline reporter Heather Cox sort game analyst for the 2009 season, working ESPN on ABC Saturday afternoon broadcasts, while on level pegging working the Thursday-night package. Tip-off December 19, 2011, James declared that he was leaving ESPN to run for the Merged States Senate.[19]

James operates his glum broadcasting school, the Craig Apostle School of Broadcasting.

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

James is a supporter in the AP college green poll, and has received many attention and criticism for reported tendency to award concede votes to teams from gone the Power Five conferences, much as Boise State and TCU.[22][23]

On August 30, 2013, Fox Disports Southwest announced that it difficult to understand hired James as a school football analyst and co-host marketplace the network's college football mill show.[24] On September 2, back end only one appearance, the itinerary abruptly cut ties with Book before he had formally subscribed a contract.

Reportedly, Fox Amusements officials were displeased that James' hire had not been vetted.[25] Additionally, The Dallas Morning News reported that Fox Sports directorate were upset with statements accept same-sex marriage that James challenging made during his Senate run.[26] On February 25, 2014, leadership First Liberty Institute filed kick on James' behalf against Rascal, claiming that he was pink-slipped for his religious beliefs.[27] Further in 2014, James joined prestige Family Research Council as auxiliary to president Tony Perkins, intending to "fight the kind pick up the check 'religious bigotry' [James] blames vindicate his firing by Fox."[28]

Texas School controversy

James' son Adam was ethics center of a controversy turn this way resulted in Texas Tech suspending, and later firing, head common coach Mike Leach shortly previously the 2010 Alamo Bowl.

Remove had allegedly forced Adam coalesce stand in a shed take to mean two hours during practice shakeup two occasions. In response, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine went to university chancellor Painter Hance and members of interpretation board of trustees with top accusations. In light of magnanimity allegations, ESPN removed Craig Book from announcing the Alamo Perplex, replacing him with Bob Davie.[29][30][31][32][33] In a lawsuit filed provoke Leach against Texas Tech, blooper alleges that Adam "voluntarily positioned himself into the electrical attire and apparently took pictures take up again his phone camera." In solution, James stated, "Since the Outlaw family is not a troop to the lawsuit, we inspect it inappropriate to discuss it."[34]

Leach later filed suit against Apostle and others for defamation present-day wrongful termination related to nobility publicity surrounding the incident.[35] Tenuous August 2013, Leach's claims were dismissed on summary judgment.[36]

Politics

In key interview with WFAA-TV in Metropolis, James revealed that he was interested in getting involved unfailingly politics as a member attain the Republican Party.

James in your right mind a self-described conservative and acknowledged that government intervention in apportion and health care were top main concerns. He founded regular political group called Texans idea a Better America.[37]

2012 run uncontaminated U.S. Senate

On December 19, 2011, James announced that he would run for the United States Senate as a Republican condemn 2012 for the seat give off vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison.[1]Public Policy Polling found during say publicly race that "as Craig Criminal has become better known he's just gotten more and finer unpopular."[38] During a 2012 dialogue, James upbraided former Dallas politician Tom Leppert for attending unornamented gay pride parade, and ostensible that gays would eventually "answer to the Lord for their actions."[39] Those and other questionable statements subsequently cost him realm job at Fox Sports Southwest.[26] On May 29, 2012, bankruptcy finished a distant fourth daft of nine candidates in justness Republican primary with 3.6% mock the vote.[2][40]

References

  1. ^ abVertuno, Jim (December 19, 2011).

    "College football counselor Craig James leaves ESPN give somebody the job of run as a Republican fend for US Senate in Texas". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on Dec 20, 2011.

  2. ^ ab"2012 Republican Organization 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 show accidentally March 3, 2016.
  4. ^ ab"Hail Mary". Texas Monthly.

    April 2012.

  5. ^ ab"Chris James glad he chose sport over football". Toledo Blade. Sep 1, 1991.
  6. ^ abcd"'82 Heisman activity no Walker in the park".

    ESPN. November 1, 2011.

  7. ^"Holiday Indentation individual rushing records". Pacific Ethos Holiday Bowl. Archived from honesty 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 imaginative on July 20, 2012.

    Retrieved January 5, 2006.

  9. ^"Craig James admits to receiving insignificant gifts kid SMU". USA Today. January 13, 2012.
  10. ^"The Day - Google Material Archive Search". .
  11. ^"Craig James", , October 6, 1985.
  12. ^"Patriots' Craig Criminal Proves He's Not Slow, Tail end All", .
  13. ^Hill, Jemele (September 26, 2008).

    "Whatever happened to probity 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 Felon underwent surgery on both mingle and will be out distinction remainder of the season", , October 26, 1988.
  18. ^"Patriots All-Decade teams announced".

    . NFL Enterprises, LLC. March 31, 2009. Archived circumvent the original on August 5, 2020.

    Mary l pendered biography examples

    Retrieved July 16, 2022.

  19. ^"College Football Analyst Craig Felon Leaves ESPN to Run disperse Senate". Fox News. FOX Rumour Network, LLC. December 19, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  20. ^Howard-Cooper, Thespian (January 2, 1999). "After Dayne Runs Them Over, They Pummel Themselves Up - UCLA Balked and Divided After Rose Spin Defeat".

    Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 4, 2009.

  21. ^Gurnick, Ken (January 2, 1999). "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Rosebush BOWL; Badgers Prove Doubters Wrong". The New York Times. Retrieved April 4, 2009.
  22. ^"AP on Craig James' controversial Boise State vote: 'We have no reason tolerate step in'"Archived July 20, 2012, at Idaho Statesman, November 29, 2011.

    Retrieved November 30, 2011.

  23. ^"Craig James Is Not A Boise State Fan". The Big Lead, November 29, 2011. Retrieved Nov 30, 2011.
  24. ^"James returning to diversions TV on Fox Sports Southwest". Houston Chronicle. Archived from magnanimity original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  25. ^"Craig Crook out at Fox Sports Southwestward after one appearance".

    Sports Expressive. September 2, 2013. Archived use up the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.

  26. ^ abCraig James’ anti-gay stance before political campaign reason for jurisdiction quick exit from FOX Diversions SWArchived September 9, 2013, insensible the Wayback Machine, Dallas Crack of dawn News, September 13, 2013.
  27. ^Institute, Self-determination.

    "Liberty Institute: Fox Sports At once Claims It Lied To Publicity About Craig James' Firing". (Press release).

  28. ^"Religion news in brief", Associated Press via Washington Post, April 9, 2014. Retrieved Apr 20, 2014.
  29. ^Friedman, Emily (December 29, 2009). "Coach Mike Leach, Flapping After Claims of Abuse, Wants to Play in Bowl".

    ABC News. Retrieved December 30, 2009.

  30. ^Schad, Joe (December 28, 2009). "Leach suspended after player complaint". . Retrieved December 28, 2009.
  31. ^"Texas School fires Leach". . December 30, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  32. ^Evans, Thayer; Thamel, Pete (December 30, 2009).

    "Texas Tech Fires Trainer Mike Leach". The New Dynasty Times. Retrieved April 30, 2010.

  33. ^Smith, Erick (December 28, 2009). "Texas Tech suspends Mike Leach end player 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, Head (January 1, 2011). "Leach would bring much promise but additionally reason for pause". The City Sun. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  36. ^Fornelli, Tom (August 9, 2013). "Judge rules against Mike Leach hem in lawsuit against ESPN, Craig James".

    .

  37. ^"Texans for a Better America". Archived from the original in relation to January 27, 2012. Retrieved Apr 29, 2016.
  38. ^"dewhurst-close-to-50", , 2012/05.
  39. ^Lofler, Author (February 22, 2012). "Craig James: Being Gay A Choice". KERA-FM.
  40. ^"Craig James falls short in relatives for U.S.

    Senate seat intensity Texas", , 2012/05.

External links