Bradie James
 'James in October 2009 at the Komen Race for the Cure' |
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| No. 56 Dallas Cowboys | |
| Linebacker | |
| Personal information | |
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| Date of birth: January 17, 1981 | |
| Place of birth: Monroe, Louisiana | |
| Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Weight: 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: Louisiana State | |
| NFL Draft: 2003 / Round: 4 / Pick: 103 | |
| Debuted in 2003 for the Dallas Cowboys | |
| Career history | |
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| Roster status: Active | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 14, 2011 | |
| Tackles | 741 |
| Sacks | 15.5 |
| INTs | 2 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Bradie Gene James (born January 17, 1981, in Monroe, Louisiana) is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.
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[edit] High school career (1995-1998)
James went to Wossman High School in Monroe, Louisiana from 1995-1997. In 1998, he transferred to West Monroe High School in West Monroe, Louisiana. During his senior year, he helped lead his team to the 1998 Class 5A state title with 136 tackles and five sacks. James was a named a Parade Magazine All-American.
As a senior he earned Parade All-America, all-state, class 5A defensive MVP and district defensive MVP honors after totaling 136 tackles, 10 tackles for losses, five sacks and three fumble recoveries. His play also earned him a selection to the Louisiana Football Magazine's All-Louisiana team. He was married at the age of 25 but had a kid at the age of 13.
[edit] College career (1999-02)
In 1999, James went to Louisiana State University (LSU) to play college football for LSU's football team. He became the second player in LSU history to register more than 400 career tackles, behind Al Richardson (1979–1982).
During his freshman year (1999), James had 41 tackles, three sacks, and one interception. The following year, he recorded 110 tackles and five sacks and was named to the second team All-SEC team. James was also was named the Defensive MVP of the 2000 Peach Bowl.
During his junior year, LSU's defense was dubbed "the James Gang defense", a term applied to the unit largely because of his leadership. That year he had 113 tackles and three sacks and was named to the first team All-SEC team.
In his final season at LSU, James was the team captain on defense and had 154 tackles, three sacks, and one interception, becoming the first player in LSU history to surpass 150 tackles in a season. James was awarded All-American honors, becoming the first All-American linebacker for LSU since Michael Brooks (1985). He was also named to the All-SEC first team for the second year in a row, becoming the first LSU linebacker to achieve this feat since Warren Capone (first team All-SEC 1972, 1973).
[edit] Professional career
James was drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He was the sixth middle/inside linebacker taken, behind Nick Barnett of Oregon State, Kawika Mitchell of South Florida, Gerald Hayes of Pittsburgh, Cie Grant of Ohio State, and Angelo Crowell of Virginia.
He backed up Pro Bowl outside linebacker Dexter Coakley in a 4–3 defense during his first two seasons in the league, while showing playmaking ability as a special teams performer in 2003 and 2004.
In 2005, the Cowboys changed to a 3–4 defense, allowing him to have a breakout year, while making the transition from special teams player to starting middle linebacker to lead the Cowboys with 109 tackles.
In 2008, James became only the second Cowboys defender (Eugene Lockhart - 222 in 1989) to reach 200 tackles in a season.
James was the first player to lead the Cowboys in tackles more than three straight seasons. In 2009 he led the team in tackles for the fifth consecutive season, the longest streak in franchise history.
During his career, he also had to deal with the uncertainty of who would start at the other inside linebacker position, having to play with different teammates who included: Scott Shanle, Akin Ayodele, Zach Thomas, Keith Brooking and Sean Lee.
In 2011 with the emergence of Lee, James and Brooking split snaps at the other inside linebacker spot, which freed James to return kickoffs for the first time since 2005.
[edit] Foundation 56
James established Foundation 56 as a breast cancer outreach program dedicated to providing access to quality services and resources for breast cancer patients and survivors.
Foundation 56 is a tribute to Bradie’s mother Etta, who died from the disease in 2001. Bradie often says if there had been the types of services offered because of Foundation 56 his mother would still be alive.
The Foundation supports education, mammogram screenings, diagnostic testing and social therapy programs.
Twice a year, the Foundation awards grants to organizations committed to effectively promoting awareness of services and resources to breast cancer patients and survivors.
[edit] Personal
In 2006, James was the co-host of "Inside The Huddle", a one-hour player commentary show that aired live on sports talk radio in Dallas along with quarterback Tony Romo. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
James was married on May 30, 2009.
[edit] External links
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