Edgerrin James

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Edgerrin Tyree James (pronounced /ˈɛdʒərɪn ˈdʒeɪmz/) (born August 1, 1978 in Immokalee, Florida) is an American football running back who is currently a free agent in the NFL.

[edit] College career

James was recruited out of Florida's Immokalee High School by the University of Miami. He proved to be one of the most successful running backs in the school's history.

James ranks second in all-time University of Miami rushing yards. He was the only running back in the university's history to post two consecutive seasons with 1000-plus rushing yards, and he ranks first in school history with the most 100-plus rushing games (14). All single season records held by James have since been broken by current Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee.

Edgerrin was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame on April 23, 2009 at its 41st Annual Induction Banquet at Jungle Island in Miami.

[edit] NFL career

[edit] 1999 NFL Draft

The Indianapolis Colts selected James in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft with the fourth overall pick.

(* represents NFL Combine)^[1]

[edit] Indianapolis Colts

James signed a seven-year, $49 million rookie contract. Many critics believed that the Colts made a mistake by choosing James over the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams.^[2] James quieted the critics and was an immediate success, and was named the 1999 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. James won the NFL rushing title in his first two seasons, before tearing his ACL six games into the 2001 season. After the 2002 season, where James failed to regain his form of 1999 and 2000, many believed that James would never recover from his knee injury.^{[citation needed]} However, James rebounded well in 2003 and re-established his place as one of the top running backs in the NFL in 2004 and 2005, with over 1,500 rushing yards in both seasons. James left Indianapolis as their all time leading rusher with 9,226 yards. James was given a Super Bowl ring from the Colts after he left the team in 2006, when they won Super Bowl XLI. ^[3]

[edit] Arizona Cardinals

James signed a four-year, $30 million deal with the Cardinals on March 12, 2006. ^[4] James went through a stretch of 8 games out of the 2008 season where he carried the ball only 11 times. Through this time Ken Whisenhunt brought him in as strictly a pass protector. In Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks, James carried the ball 14 times for 100 Yards. James has said he will not come back to Arizona following the 2009 NFL playoffs, despite a year left on his contract.^[5] In the Cardinals first playoff game since 1998, James averaged 4.7 yards per carry and ran for 72 yards. In the Divisional round of the playoffs, James rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Cardinals upset victory over the heavily favored Carolina Panthers. James rushed for 73 yards in the Cardinals 32-25 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship game.

Before the 2009 season, James requested to be released, and on April 28, 2009, was granted the request and was released.

[edit] NFL records

James led the league in rushing during his rookie and sophomore season. He's currently the record holder for most total yards from scrimmage per game in a regular season career.

At 9,226 total yards as a Colt, James holds the Colts' team record for most career total yards rushing.

During a Monday night game against the Bears on October 15, 2006, James carried the ball 36 times for only 55 yards. This set an NFL record as the most carries for an average gain of under 2 yards.^[6]

James is currently first in career rushing yards among active players.^[7]

[edit] Personal

James currently resides in Miami, Florida. He has four children, Edquisha, Ehyanna, Edgerrin Jr., and Euro. On April 14th, 2009, Andia Wilson, James' long-time girlfriend and the mother of his four children, died from leukemia at the age of 30. ^[8]

In 2000, James donated $250,000 to the University of Miami, the largest donation ever made to the university by one of its former athletes. The university responded by naming the football meeting room after him.

James appeared in the music video for Trick Daddy's songs Nann Nigga, Take It To Da House, and "Shut Up." He was also the spokesperson and cover athlete for the football video game ESPN NFL Primetime 2002.

Edgerrin James and former teammate Matt Leinart are co-owners of one of the largest indoor go-cart tracks in Arizona. James and Leinart are both huge race fans, and together attended the 2007 Daytona 500.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Edgerrin James at ESPN.com

• Edgerrin James Official Web Site.
• CNNSI.com Draft Video