Bradie James
Encyclopedia
Bradie Gene James is an American football
linebacker
for the Dallas Cowboys
of the National Football League
.
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.
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-America
n 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).
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.
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.
. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi
fraternity.
James was married on May 30, 2009.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
High school career (1995-1998)
James went to Wossman High School in Monroe, LouisianaMonroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
from 1995-1997. In 1998, he transferred to West Monroe High School
West Monroe High School
West Monroe High School is a high school in West Monroe, Louisiana, United States. It is administered by the Ouachita Parish School Board.It is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school's mascot is the Rebel.-Band:...
in West Monroe, Louisiana
West Monroe, Louisiana
West Monroe is a city in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 13,250 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. 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-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
, 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.
College career (1999-02)
In 1999, James went to Louisiana State University (LSU)Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
to play college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for LSU's football team
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
. He became the second player in LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
history to register more than 400 career tackles, behind Al Richardson
Al Richardson (American football)
Al Richardson is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League who spent his entire 6 year career with the Atlanta Falcons. He won the AP Defensive Rookies of the Year in 1980 along with Buddy Curry. He played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets....
(1979–1982).
During his freshman year (1999), James had 41 tackles, three sacks
Sacks
Sacks is a German surname meaning "man from Saxony" and may refer to:* C. Jared Sacks, founder of Channel Classics Records* David O. Sacks Sacks is a German surname meaning "man from Saxony" and may refer to:* C. Jared Sacks, founder of Channel Classics Records* David O. Sacks Sacks is a German...
, and one interception. The following year, he recorded 110 tackles and five sacks
Sacks
Sacks is a German surname meaning "man from Saxony" and may refer to:* C. Jared Sacks, founder of Channel Classics Records* David O. Sacks Sacks is a German surname meaning "man from Saxony" and may refer to:* C. Jared Sacks, founder of Channel Classics Records* David O. Sacks Sacks is a German...
and was named to the second team All-SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
team. James was also was named the Defensive MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
of the 2000 Peach Bowl
2000 Peach Bowl
The 2001 edition to the Peach Bowl featured the , and the LSU Tigers.LSU scored first on a 32 yard John Corbello field goal to take a 3-0 lead. Georgia Tech responded with a 32 yard Joe Burns touchdown run to take a 7-3 lead...
.
During his junior year, LSU's
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
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
Sacks
Sacks is a German surname meaning "man from Saxony" and may refer to:* C. Jared Sacks, founder of Channel Classics Records* David O. Sacks Sacks is a German surname meaning "man from Saxony" and may refer to:* C. Jared Sacks, founder of Channel Classics Records* David O. Sacks Sacks is a German...
and was named to the first team All-SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
team.
In his final season at LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
, James was the team captain on defense and had 154 tackles, three sacks
Sacks
Sacks is a German surname meaning "man from Saxony" and may refer to:* C. Jared Sacks, founder of Channel Classics Records* David O. Sacks Sacks is a German surname meaning "man from Saxony" and may refer to:* C. Jared Sacks, founder of Channel Classics Records* David O. Sacks Sacks is a German...
, and one interception, becoming the first player in LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
history to surpass 150 tackles in a season. James was awarded All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n honors, becoming the first All-American linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
since Michael Brooks (1985). He was also named to the All-SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
first team for the second year in a row, becoming the first LSU
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
to achieve this feat since Warren Capone
Warren Capone
Warren Capone , was a professional American football linebacker in the World Football League and National Football League. He played college football at Louisiana State University...
(first team All-SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
1972, 1973).
Professional career
James was draftedNFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. He was the sixth middle/inside linebacker taken, behind Nick Barnett
Nick Barnett
Nicholas Alexander Barnett is an American Football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. A graduate of Fontana A.B...
of Oregon State
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, Kawika Mitchell
Kawika Mitchell
Kawika Uilani Mitchell is an American football linebacker who currently is a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round in the 2003 NFL Draft. He has also been a member of the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints...
of South Florida, Gerald Hayes
Gerald Hayes
Gerald Hayes is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh....
of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, Cie Grant
Cie Grant
Willie "Cie" Grant is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints and is currently a free agent. He played college football at Ohio State University...
of Ohio State
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, and Angelo Crowell
Angelo Crowell
Angelo Delvonne Crowell is an American football linebacker for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
.
He backed up Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
outside linebacker Dexter Coakley
Dexter Coakley
William Dexter Coakley is a former American football linebacker who played 10 seasons in the National Football League. He was a third round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1997 NFL Draft, out of Division I-AA school Appalachian State...
in a 4–3 defense during his first two seasons in the league, while showing playmaking ability as a special teams performer in 2003
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
and 2004
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
.
In 2005
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
, 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
2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
, James became only the second Cowboys defender (Eugene Lockhart
Eugene Lockhart
Eugene Lockhart, Jr. is a former American football linebacker who played for nine seasons in the National Football League from 1984 to 1992...
- 222 in 1989
1989 NFL season
The 1989 NFL season was the 70th regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle announced his retirement...
) 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
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
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
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
position, having to play with different teammates who included: Scott Shanle
Scott Shanle
-St. Louis Rams:Shanle made his NFL debut against the New York Giants on September 7, 2003. He also saw special teams action in six games for St. Louis. He was waived by the Rams on December 9, 2003.-Dallas Cowboys:...
, Akin Ayodele
Akin Ayodele
Akinola James "Akin" Ayodele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
, Zach Thomas
Zach Thomas
Zachary Michael Thomas is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech....
, Keith Brooking
Keith Brooking
Keith Howard Brooking is a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech...
and Sean Lee
Sean Lee
Sean Patrick Lee is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Penn State.-Early life:...
.
In 2011
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
with the emergence of Lee, James and Brooking split snaps at the other inside linebacker spot, which freed James to return kickoffs
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
for the first time since 2005.
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.
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 RomoTony Romo
Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005...
. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi is a fraternity and is the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. The founders were three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos...
fraternity.
James was married on May 30, 2009.