Many thought the Indianapolis Colts should take RB Ricky Williams. Some actually groaned when they heard the name “Edgerrin James” called with the fourth overall selection in 1999.

Who was that? They would soon find out.

The Colts had traded RB Marshall Faulk, so choosing the University of Miami running back couldn’t have been more important. And president Bill Polian got the right guy.

“Edge,” as he would come to be known, could do it all. He was an elusive runner who could handle the pounding of being a workhorse. He caught passes out of the backfield. And perhaps most overlooked by others but not his teammates was James’ ability to pass protect. Nobody took on a blitzing LB like Edge.

“You know the thing about it, it’s the timing of everything,” James said in a March interview. “At the University of Miami, we never got the chance to carry the ball a lot. We had to split carries. We never got a chance to really show how good we are. Everybody always knew I was good. Everybody at Miami. If you ever came to a practice, people knew I was very good. But with TV and all the magazines, everybody wanted them to go off with somebody else.

“Mr. Polian and the rest of the Colts organization, they understood what they needed for that offense. I think it was just a matter of it’s not who’s the best runner. They needed somebody who could do both. And for me, because I had to block a lot and do other things, I don’t think Ricky had to do all of that stuff. The fans and everybody else, they see somebody run around all day but they don’t understand all of the other things you have to do. And the Colts offense, it’s not easy. I don’t know why people think it’s easy to run the Colts offense. It’s tough to be a running back in that offense. After I left, they put in so many different people. You have to be smart. You have to be tough. You’ve got to do a lot of blocking. Then you get to run the ball, but it kind of fits in after the passing.”

James won the NFL rushing title his first two seasons with 1,553 yards in 1999 and then a career-high 1,709 in 2000. He scored 13 rushing TDs each year. He caught 62 passes for 586 yards and four TDs as a rookie, then a career-high 63 passes for 594 yards and five TDs in his second season.

The only question about Edge is what kind of numbers he might have been able to put up if he didn’t suffer a knee injury six games into 2001. The torn ACL required surgery and it took him a while to recover.

He never put up those earlier numbers again, but was still a workhorse. The Colts ran him 277 times for 989 yards in 14 games in 2002, the year after his knee surgery. Those numbers climbed to 310 carries for 1,259 yards, 334 carries for 1,548 yards and 360 carries for 1,506 yards in 2005, his last season with the team.

Edge met with owner Jim Irsay before that final season and asked the team not place the franchise tag on him. The back sensed his time with the Colts was near an end. It would be too expensive for the team couldn’t use that tag again.

After 2005, James wasn’t re-signed. The Colts’ all-time leading rusher with 9,226 yards was allowed to leave via free agency. He had two decent years in Arizona, running 337 times for 1,159 yards, then 324 carries for 1,222 yards. His final year with the Cardinals, his numbers dropped off. After a limited six-game stint with Seattle in 2009, James retired.

Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner drafted by New Orleans with the next pick after James was taken, finished his career in 2011 with 10,009 rushing yards and 66 TDs. He also caught 342 passes for 2,606 yards and eight TDs. He made one Pro Bowl.

James amassed 12,246 yards on 3,028 carries (597 more attempts than Williams) with 80 TDs. He also caught 433 passes for 3,364 yards and 11 TDs. He was named to the Pro Bowl four times. While he didn’t play for the Colts on the Super Bowl XLI winner in 2006, Irsay gave James a ring anyway out of respect for the back’s contributions.

Edge was inducted into the Colts’ Ring of Honor on Sept. 23, 2012.

“I always loved the Colts fans,” he said, looking back on that day. “I knew they were the best fans in the world. I always had the funnest times. I grew up in the NFL and as a person, from the first day I stepped out as an Indianapolis Colt. Here in college, you’re kind of guarded. When I got to Indianapolis, the way everybody embraced me, I understand a lot of people didn’t know me but little bit by little bit, being in the community and being around and getting a grasp of what is going on around that city, you actually become a part of that city. When I got back there for the Ring of Honor, it was just a reminder.”


(indystar.com)

The most famous Immokalee High graduate watched the Indians' 29-21 victory over Miami Jackson with about a dozen college scouts surrounding him.

Edgerrin James knew all about Immokalee's talent. He's been bragging about the dozen Division I recruits all season. And the former University of Miami and NFL star said he knew Immokalee's talent would eventually prevail in a season filled with injuries and turmoil.

"They knew what kind of team they had," James said. "They buckled down when they needed to, when it counted."

James said the Indians showed they believed in themselves Friday night against Miami -Jackson even after committing three first-half turnovers.

"They did exactly as expected," he said. "If they didn't have all of the turnovers it wouldn't have been so dramatic in the end."

But in the end, James said he was most impressed by the Indians' heart. He noted how most players played both ways and how quarterback Tshumbi Johnson took a hard hit and only missed one play.

"Those players wanted it," James said. "They were exhausted after the game. They didn't even have the energy to celebrate. They left it all on the field."

James missed the Indians' 2004 championship victory because he was playing in the NFL. He said he'll be in Orlando next Friday to support the team.

"You bet I'm going to be there," James said. "Indians all the way."


(marconews.com)

Reggie Wayne has 41 receptions, sixth in NFL, and 523 yards, third in NFL, despite already having bye week. Wayne needs one TD to pass Edgerrin James (75) for third in franchise history and four points to pass James (458) for No. 7 on franchise list.




(wishtv.com)

Edgerrin James was about to be introduced for his halftime induction into the Indianapolis Colts' Ring of Honor on Sunday when an old buddy came sprinting out of the Lucas Oil Stadium tunnel.

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne, still in uniform but sporting a Colts baseball cap instead of a helmet, took his place at midfield alongside retired Colts favorites Tarik Glenn, Gary Brackett and Ryan Diem.

"I almost missed it, but got there," Wayne said of honoring James, the Colts' all-time leading rusher with 9,226 yards from 1999 to 2005. "I wish he would have given a longer speech though."

James had promised he would be understated in the tradition of the eighth Ring of Honor inductee, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who uttered "thank you" five times in a Nov. 28, 2011, acceptance speech that took about 20 seconds.

Colts owner Jim Irsay handed the microphone to James, who said, "It was an honor (that) I played for the Colts, and I want to tell everyone thank you."

Surrounded by his six children, James received a standing ovation as he exited to the tunnel.

"They told me I could just say, 'Thank you,' so I went over," James said, laughing, about his word count.

He enjoyed the video highlights on the stadium's large screens.

"Oh man, it's good (for my kids)," James said. "They get to see that I know what I'm talking about. I wish I could still move like that."

Eden, James' 8-year-old son, was impressed.

"He's a 'playa!' He's a 'playa!'" the boy repeated.


(indystar.com)

ORLANDO — His welcome mat reads: The Property.

Edgerrin James relaxes on the back porch overlooking the lake on the sprawling 5-acre estate. It's 11 a.m. and the former NFL star just rolled out of bed. Who can blame him? At 34, he's retired.

But James doesn't lounge around all day. Instead, the former Immokalee High standout will be father to more than his children, whose mother died three years ago.

James entertains, coaches and mentors more than 100 underprivileged children for eight weeks every summer.

There is a wrought-iron gate at the driveway at The Property but the camp is open to any kid. It's free. The kids have nothing and the camp is everything. A punt, pass and a kick from Disney World, it is filled with instruction on football, basketball and life.

James says it's better than any amusement park.

"Once we took about 50 kids to the Disney parks, and that's not cheap, and in a couple of hours they were bored," James said. "They never get bored here."
James isn't your typical camp organizer. The plausible future Hall of Famer ranks 11th all-time in NFL rushing with 12,246 yards. As the first-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 1999, he made an immediate impact. He became the first player to lead the league in rushing his first two years. The Indianapolis Colts will recognize his talents today by inducting him into their Ring of Honor.

James says he doesn't miss football. He does miss the love of his life, Andia Wilson, who died in 2009. In her memory, he tackles society's stereotypes of being a black father and an athlete.

"Everything I do now I want to do forever," said James, who still lives in Naples full-time while spending the summers in Orlando. "I was on the clock for football. There's no way I would want to do it forever."

In the camp's three-year history, James said he's only missed one day. This past summer, he had to be in Atlanta for business on a Monday evening. He flew out after the football drills and back the same night on the redeye to be at camp the next day.

"This is who he is," said Evan Wilson, a camp counselor and uncle of James' children. "He is all about the kids."

Continuing reading here


(naplesnews.com)

Coming out of college Edgerrin James didn’t know which NFL team would draft him.

He didn’t care, either.

“It didn’t matter who drafted me,” James said. “I just want to be on a team.”

The Indianapolis Colts selected James with the fourth pick in the first round of the 1999 draft.

Now, he cares.

James played seven seasons in Indianapolis. He finished as the team’s all-time rusher. He combined with Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison to form a winning foundation.

He went on to play for two other NFL franchises — Arizona and Seattle — in his 11-year career but James isn’t shy about his loyalty.

“No matter where I go or what I do, I’m always a Colt,” says James, who will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor today. James joins owner Robert Irsay, Bill Brooks, Chris Hinton, Jim Harbaugh, Ted Marchibroda, the 12th Man, Tony Dungy and Harrison in the team’s unofficial hall of fame.

James’ journey from Immokalee to Indianapolis is one some football experts didn’t see coming.

Three quarterbacks — Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith — were taken to start 1999 draft, and Texas standout and Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams appeared to be the obvious choice for the Colts. The team needed a running back to replace Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk.

Colts running back coach Gene Huey said he remembers watching film of both Williams and James before the draft and realized James’ talent “fit the system.”
“There was no doubt in my mind he would be a better choice,” Huey said. “Edgerrin was an all-around back, a strong runner with good hands and a solid pass blocker. He had all the tangibles we were seeking.”

Straight from the University of Miami, James made the Colts look like geniuses. He led the NFL in his first season in rushing, tallying 1,553 yards and was named the Offensive Player of the Year. He topped his marks in year two, totaling 1,709 yards, to become the last player to lead the NFL in rushing in his first two seasons.

“I wanted to prove it wasn’t a fluke,” James said about the motivation behind his second season in Indy. “I didn’t want people to say I was a one-year wonder. Proving people wrong always inspires me.”

James became the unheralded versatile back, setting the team record for rushing yardage (9,226) in a career while being the ultimate compliment the Manning-to-Harrison aerial attack. Huey described him as a Jim Brown throwback who used his body and the lost art of the stiff-arm to pick up extra yards and punish defenders. Huey said James didn’t go down easy and proved it in his second season by picking up 500 of the 1,700 yards after contact.

“He was a machine,” Huey said. “He had great strength and grace as a runner and determination to get the most out of every carry. He certainly didn’t go down easy.”

Manning said defenders got tired of trying to tackle him.

“They didn’t understand just how strong and stout he was,” Manning said. “His playing weight was around 215, and linebackers, corners and safeties in the fourth quarter got to saying, ‘Enough’s enough.’ He started turning 6- to 7-yard gains into 20- to 25-yard gains.”

But Manning appreciated James for more than just carrying the ball.

“Edgerrin was one of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” he said. “I always felt real secure with him back there in the backfield behind me or standing next to me in the shotgun. He was an extremely smart player. He was unbelievably well-conditioned. He had incredible strength and balance, along with excellent hands, and he was an outstanding blocker.”

And it’s blocking James is most proud of. He says it’s the skill that doesn’t show up in the stat charts that should get him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He says his numbers — No. 11 all-time in rushing with 12,246 yards and 80 touchdowns, complied with his four 1,500 rushing seasons (tied for second-most in NFL history) while having 433 receptions for 3,364 yards and 11 touchdowns — should be enough to punch his ticket to Canton, Ohio.

But he hopes the Hall of Fame voters consider the team he played on, the fact he never came out of the game even on third down and that he was willing to sacrifice his body to protect Manning.

“If you look at all of the guys on the list in front of me, none of them played for passing team like the Colts,” said James, who was named to four Pro Bowls. “I took a lot of pride in blocking. I was willing to do whatever was needed to win.”

James’ presence definitely translated into wins for the Colts.

In 1998, the Colts won only three games, finishing with 13 losses. But with James providing balance to Manning’s arm the Colts’ record went to 13-3. At the time, it was the greatest one-season turnaround in NFL history.

James said being drafted by a team with a losing record gave him motivation.

“I wanted the challenge. I wanted to prove they made the right choice and I could make a difference,” James said. “I always like to take the hard route. It’s boring if you don’t have a challenge.”

With James in the lineup, Indianapolis compiled a 70-26 record in seven years. Sure, the Colts also had Manning and Harrison but when James missed 10 games in 2001 due to a knee injury, they posted only a 3-7 record in his absence.

“He was huge to the club’s winning tradition,” Manning said. “I certainly never took Edgerrin for granted. I knew how special he was.”

James’ most significant contribution came in the locker room. Manning said James was liked and respect by his teammates. James was unselfish, too, Manning said.

He proved it in 2004 when Manning headed toward breaking Dan Marino’s single-season mark for touchdown passes. James was supposed to catch the record-tying 48th TD. Instead, he switched positions with backup James Mungro to allow him to catch the 3-yard shovel pass and share in the glory.

About Mungro’s moment, James said, “You don’t want the spotlight just to be on you, or on just one player. You have to spread it around so everyone has something to hang their hat on. James (Mungro) for the rest of his life is going to remember that play, how it exactly went down.”

“As a teammate, Edgerrin was the heartbeat of our locker room,” said Tarik Glenn, former offensive tackle and teammate with the Colts. “He made playing football fun. As a player, Edge was a blue collar, hard worker that loved to let his playing do the talking.”

Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne also called James a great locker room guy who didn’t say much, if anything, on the field.

But when James did talk, people listened.

In 2003, a majority of the Colts players were not fans of the outdated pregame music. James took their concerns to management. The next week, the Colts were warming up to the most current hip-hop tracks and making other teams jealous, James said.

“I didn’t mind being the voice of the team,” James said. “I had a comfort zone in the locker room because everything the owners and the management did in Indy was about winning.”

James still raves about the Colts owner Jim Irsay calling him the best in the NFL.

Irsay proved it by awarding James a Super Bowl ring even though James left for Arizona the year before the Colts won it all.

James says he appraises the ring at $1 million. That’s what the gesture and the Colts organization means to him.

“I’m never surprised by anything that happens in that organization,” James said. “They’re all about doing the right thing, all about doing whatever it takes to win. The Colts have always been and always will be nothing but first class.”

James may have not cared who drafted back in 1999 but he’s forever thankful it turned out to be the Indianapolis Colts.


(naplesnews.com)

The official website of the Indianapolis Colts reports Edgerrin James, running back from 1999-2005, will be inducted into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor this Sunday, September 23, 2012. He is just the fifth player to be so honored in the 29-year history of the Indianapolis Colts since they moved from Baltimore in 1984. James was the fourth overall pick of the 1999 draft out of Miami, FL. He burst on the scene by winning rushing titles in his first two seasons, 1999 and 2000. Playing for the Colts from 1999-2005, he rushed for 9,226 yards and 64 touchdowns and caught 356 receptions for 2,839 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Colts won four division titles and made one AFC Championship game during the James era. The only year the Colts had a losing record during the James era was 2001, when the team was 6-10 overall and 3-7 during James' absence with a knee injury.

Aside from James, who are the five best players in the history of the Indianapolis Colts? (Note: This article focuses on Indianapolis and does not refer to the storied history of the Baltimore Colts).

Peyton Manning must top the list of the best players for the Indianapolis Colts. Manning was the quarterback and No. 1 pick for the Colts and played every game for the Colts from 1998-2010 until neck problems forced him to miss the entire 2011 season. ESPN reviewed his career when the Colts released him in March, allowing him to sign with the Denver Broncos. The Colts went to the playoffs every year Manning was quarterback except his rookie year and in 2001. They won seven of the first eight AFC South titles from 2002-2009 and the AFC East title in 1999. The Colts went to the Super Bowl in 2006 and 2009, winning it in 2006. In the victory over the Chicago Bears, Manning won the Super Bowl MVP award. Manning broke every passing record for the Colts. Manning is a certainty to be the sixth player to join the Ring of Honor after he retires.

Marvin Harrison must be mentioned at the same time as Manning and James. Harrison completed the triplets for the Colts as wide receiver. He leads the Colts in all-time yards from scrimmage: 14,608 (James is second with 12,065). In almost a quarter of the games that Manning, Harrison and James played, Harrison and James both had 100-yard games. The Colts were 19-3 in those games. Pro-football-reference.com shows all of the career statistics of Harrison while playing for the Colts from 1996-2008. Harrison caught 128 career touchdowns. He led the league in receptions and reception yards twice.

Jim Harbaugh was the quarterback of the Colts from 1994-1997, right before the Manning era. Harbaugh led the league in 1995 and 1997 with the lowest interception rate. The most successful year of the Colts during this time was 1995 when a dropped Hail Mary pass kept the Colts from going to the Super Bowl.
Bill Brooks was a wide receiver for the Colts from 1986 to 1992. Brooks also returned punts in his first two years. Brooks caught 411 passes for 5,818 yards during this tenure with the Colts before he shuffled off to Buffalo, then Washington.

Chris Hinton was a left guard and left tackle for the Baltimore Colts in 1983 as a rookie. He then moved to Indianapolis with the Colts in the middle of the night where he stayed until 1989. He started 92 games for the Colts and played in two others during those years.


(sports.yahoo.com)

Before the first of his record 2,188 rushing attempts with the Indianapolis Colts, Edgerrin James was a rookie running back on a mission.
He wanted to make a difference.

“It was always important to me to leave a lasting impression on everybody,” James said in a recent phone interview with The Indianapolis Star.

“I wanted people to say, ‘He did it the right way. He didn’t compromise who he was. He didn’t compromise where he was from. He did things his way, but it also was the right way.'"

For seven of his 11 NFL seasons, James did it his way with the Colts. He was personable and quotable off the field, relentless and reliable on it. He joined the Colts as the fourth-overall draft pick in 1999 and left in 2006 as a free agent and the franchise’s career rushing leader.

On Sunday, James will become the ninth member of the team’s Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Current Colts receiver Reggie Wayne described the decision as a “no-brainer.” He was first exposed to James’ persona at the University of Miami. From 2001-05, he and James were Colts teammates.

“He’s the right guy to put up there,” Wayne said. “Whenever you get in any kind of Ring of Honor, it’s saying you were part of the foundation of something and you did something people saw as unbelievable. You made a difference. I don’t see it happening to anyone better.”

While James’ place in Colts’ history is undeniable, it begs another question: Is he worthy of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

“Oh, there’s no doubt,” said offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, the Colts’ quarterbacks coach for James’ first two seasons. “First ballot. Has to be with all the things he did early in his career.

“As good as there’s ever been, in my opinion. He’s in the top five or six backs to ever play the game.”

James has the credentials. He ranks No. 11 in NFL history in rushing and No. 13 in yards from scrimmage. He’s one of only four players to rush for 1,500 yards at least four times. The others: Hall of Famers Barry Sanders, Walter Payton and Eric Dickerson.

James won league rushing titles his first two seasons. He was on pace for a third straight title in 2001 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury at Kansas City in Week 6.

Former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, now with Denver, benefited from James’ all-around skills — running, receiving, forceful blocking in pass protection. He doesn’t have a vote in the process, but is quick to lobby those who do.

“Edgerrin was the complete back,” Manning wrote in an email to The Star. “Run, block, catch; he could do it all. He was an extremely smart football player as well. I always knew I could count on him.

“He was also the best teammate I ever played with. Unselfish, accountable, tough as nails.I feel honored and privileged to say that I played ball with Edgerrin James. He was that good and that special.’’

Hall of Fame worthy?

“Absolutely,” Manning said, “100 percent he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

James doesn’t bother to disguise his own bias.

“When you look at everything I’ve done, there’s no doubt I should be somewhere in the discussion of getting in,” he said.

James last played with Seattle in 2009 and will be eligible for Hall of Fame consideration in 2015.

Whether there’s a place in Canton, Ohio, for a bust of James will be determined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 44-member selection committee, which includes The Star.

A sampling of committee members makes it clear James deserves “to be in the room” when the 15 finalists are discussed, but hardly is a slam-dunk choice.

“His credentials are definitely worthy of being debated,” said Ron Borges of the Boston Herald, summing up the committee’s sentiments. “... certainly he should get the chance to have a fair airing at some point.”

James spends much of his time in what he describes as his “Florida triangle of Miami, Orlando and Naples. He stays on the move, but always has time for his six children —– Quisha, 15; Eyahna, 11; Emani, 9; Eden, 8; Edgerrin Jr., 7; and Euro, 5.

Having his legacy validated with inclusion in the Ring of Honor — perhaps even the Pro Football of Fame — carries immense meaning.

“Because of my kids,” James said. “My boys play ball and they hear about their dad, but they never really got a chance to see me play. Things like (the Ring of Honor) lets them know that dad was pretty good.

“I try to get them to work hard at whatever they’re doing. This right here shows them that if you work hard, it pays off. It shows them I kind of knew what I was doing.”


(indystar.com)

Indianapolis Star sportswriters offer their personal remembrances of Edgerrin James.

Mike Chappell
It’s easy to summon a sampling Edge’s on-field highlights, the type that makes his addition to the Colts’ Ring of Honor a no-brainer.

But Edge transcended the playing field.

I laugh every time I think of him paying off a lost bet with linebacker Sam Sword and Rodregis Brooks on a 2001 Yankees-Diamondbacks World Series game. He ponied up by dragging two large buckets filled with pennies into the locker room and setting them in front of each winner’s cubicle: 50,000 pennies ($500) for Sword, 10,000 for Brooks.

I smile when I recall a conversation we once shared. I asked Edge what he planned on doing when he retired.

“I’ll be a tourist. Full time,” he said. “Just do whatever. You know tourists. They don’t know where they’re going, but they’re going to have a good time.”

And my appreciation for him grows when I remember visiting him in his hometown of Immokalee, Fla., to gauge his recovery from knee surgery that curtailed his 2001 season. He took me on a tour of his Fun House. He invested his time and money to transform two buildings that had been hangouts for druggies and thugs into a YMCA-like facility for the neighbor kids and a weight room for himself.

Phil Richards
How to choose when the memories are so many.

I’ll take Edge’s rookie year, 1999, a tight, tough game on a dreary October afternoon at Giants Stadium. He was playing with the effects of a separated shoulder suffered the week before against Miami, and when he picked himself up after a third-quarter collision, he had another issue.

His left ring finger jutted at a grotesque angle and he shrieked with red-hot pain. Edge wasn’t coming out. He grabbed the dislocated digit with his right hand, yanked, and snapped it back into place.

His were the hands in which the Colts entrusted the ball and the ball game when they needed to put away the New York Jets while killing the clock. He carried six times for 25 yards on the grinding 10-play, 35-yard drive that led to Mike Vanderjagt’s field goal with 14 seconds to play.

The 16-13 victory was the first of 11 straight for the Colts in a turn-the-corner 13-3 season during which Edge rushed for an NFL-best 1,553 yards.

He was, or is, tough, killer competitive and so many things the gold teeth and spray of unkempt hair belied: bright, honest, warm, engaging, fun, funny, unique.

Edge’s greatest gift is the one he gives so freely. You always walk away from him feeling good.

Phillip B. Wilson
It became a thrill-seeking imperative to try to hook up with Edge during the Colts’ trip to Miami for Super Bowl XLI in 2007. But catching up to the fun-loving dude was anything but easy.

He was going to be at the Hard Rock Café and Casino in Hollywood, Fla. One thing about Edge, when he goes “clubbing,” he’s a night owl. Text messages continued upon my arrival. He wasn’t on location yet.

Edge didn’t arrive until 1:55 a.m. Saturday, but had hopped to another club. When we thought we had him tracked down, I wasn’t allowed in because I was wearing shorts. My colleagues couldn’t gain access to where he was hanging out.

We gave up and were walking to the parking lot when Edge texted again. Our last chance was the Blue Plate Diner at 4:35 a.m. He stood up and hollered from 20 yards away, “What up, man!”

We talked for 30 minutes about his days in Indy and how he was confident the Colts would defeat the Chicago Bears.

“The Colts are still my team,” Edge said, although he was then with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Colts will always be his team. And Edge will always be one of my favorites.

Bob Kravitz
My favorite memories of Edge usually came off the field rather than on it.

In the locker room, he was one of the funniest and most engaging guys you’d ever want to meet. He was honest, he was without guile, he spoke from the heart.

I remember when we asked him about the Colts’ Japan trip, and he said, “The closest I’m getting to Japan is going to a Benihana.”

As a player, he was one of the last of the Mohicans, a true every-down back who could run, catch passes and block. I think the latter was one of his great, unappreciated attributes, his ability to pick up a blitz and keep Peyton Manning clean. I thought he lost a little of his burst after the knee problem in 2001, but he was still always good for four, five yards a pop. I would think he was stopped after a 2-yard gain, but somehow, with those legs churning and that amazing forward lean, he always seemed to squeeze extra yards out of that run.


(indystar.com)

It's a shame more pro athletes and hip-hop entertainers living in Miami aren't as charitable as rapper Flo Rida and former and current NFL players Vernon Carey, Edgerrin James, Samari Rolle, and Brandon Harris. These four Miami natives plus James, who is Immokalee, have stepped up big-time for the African-American community in the past year. I wish there were more celebrities like them.

Flo Rida and his manager, Freezy, approached me last year about organizing a youth football league for boys in Miami Gardens and Broward County. With my help, Flo Rida got a charter to field a local team in the National Youth Football League, which helps more than 10,000 boys, plus girls through a cheerleading program.

He has started off with a bang.In addition to donating tens of thousands of dollars for uniforms, equipment, and other expenses, he recently held a free back-to-school concert at Traz Powell Stadium, where we gave away 10,000 book bags to needy kids. Flo Rida has invested a huge amount of time and money.

Carey has been a big benefactor for Miami Northwestern Senior High, where we're both volunteer coaches and where he won a state championship as a player in 1998. After retiring following eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins, he donated more than $50,000 to the school, which bought new weights and exercise equipment and renovated its weight room.

Rolle, a Miami Beach Senior High alum who played for the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens, has committed $15,000 over the next three years to the Overtown Optimist Club. And Harris, a 22-year-old cornerback for the Houston Texans, recently donated thousands to the athletic program at his alma mater, Booker T. Washington, and to the Liberty City Optimist Club, where he played Pop Warner ball.

James, who is not from the Magic City, donated thousands of dollars to the Overtown and Liberty City optimist clubs during the past 13 years.

There are still too many other local rappers and sports stars who spend $100,000 on bottles in one night at clubs such as LIV but who can't spare a few dollars to buy some helmets or repaint a youth center. It's time they bring the Brinks truck to Charles Hadley Park in Liberty City and Gibson Park in Overtown.


(miaminewtimes.com)

The Indianapolis Colts will have their Edge back. For a day, then forever as part of their Ring of Honor.
Running back Edgerrin James, the team’s all-time rushing leader, will be inducted into the Ring of Honor on Sept.?23. That day, the Colts play Jacksonville at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Owner Jim Irsay said on Colts.com that James “embodies the talent and competitive nature we seek in every player.’’

Irsay’s appreciation for James was obvious. He awarded him a ring from the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI win over Chicago after the 2006 season even though James wasn’t re-signed prior to that season.

James told Colts.com that the recognition is important to him.

“It is a tremendous honor,” he said. “It’s one of those things that you set out to do and hope to have a career where you can leave a lasting imprint. For me, it’s super important because a lot of my young kids didn’t get a chance to see me play. Now, at least they’ll know their daddy could play a little bit.”

James, the fourth pick in the 1999 draft and a two-time league rushing champ, set career franchise rushing records with 9,226 yards and 2,188 attempts during his seven years with the team. He also holds club marks with 1,709 yards in a season and 219 yards in a game.

In the Ring of Honor, James, whose 12,246 career rushing yards rank No. 11 in NFL history, will join owner Robert Irsay, Bill Brooks, Chris Hinton, Jim Harbaugh, Ted Marchibroda, Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison and The 12th Man.


(indystar.com)

Edgerrin James and some of his famous football friends won’t be returning to his hometown this summer. At least not for the former NFL star’s annual youth camp.

Because of renovations to the fields where the event is held, the Edgerrin James Speed and Agility Youth Football Camp has been canceled. James was schedule to host the free camp, which included more than 1,000 kids last summer, for the fourth straight year Monday in Immokalee.

The Immokalee Sports Complex, home to the camp the past three years, needed to restore its fields this summer to repair normal wear and tear. The complex laid down thousands of dollars of new sod, and the grass won’t be set and ready for action until August.

With the fields not ready to go, the Edgerrin James Foundation was forced to cancel the football camp.

“We were really looking forward to it,” said Karen Mingo, project manager of James’ foundation. “We were ready to go. Unfortunately we will not be there this year, but we have plans of going back next year.”

James first hosted the camp in 2009 in his hometown, where he graduated from Immokalee High School in 1996 before playing running back for the University of Miami and in the NFL for 11 years.

The summer camp has grown the past three years, which included James bringing in children from as far as Orlando to take part. More than 900 kids took part in the free camp in 2010 before the camp set a record with last year’s attendance.

“Anytime kids get to play football, it makes them better,” Immokalee High football coach Jerrod Ackley said. “Any missed opportunities are disappointing … but things change, and it’s something you have no control over.”

In the past James has brought former and current NFL players with him, including his cousin and fellow Immokalee grad Javarris James. Former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis was at the camp last year, and NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus came in 2010.

The Immokalee Sports Complex didn’t run the camp, which also included a cookout and pool party at the center, but let James’ foundation use the fields. Supervisor Derrick Dimas said it was disappointing the complex’s fields won’t be ready, but the repairs needed to be done.

“(The fields) were real bad,” Dimas said. “There were a bunch of holes, and we had to get them done for the safety of the kids. They just couldn’t be ready in time for the camp.”

James is in Orlando this summer hosting his foundation’s Youth Summer Camp for a third consecutive year. The day camp goes Monday to Thursday all summer and is free for kids ages 6 to 18.

Javarris James signed with the Arizona Cardinals this summer and might have missed the summer camp in Immokalee to attend training camp, which begins Tuesday.


(naplesnews.com)

Registration is now open for the fourth annual Edgerrin James Speed and Agility Youth Football Camp on Monday, July 23 at the Immokalee Sports Complex.

The free camp is in conjunction with Collier County Parks and Recreation, as well as the Edgerrin James Foundation. Registration is from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The camp is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and for ages 6-18. Instructors include some of the best players from college and the NFL, as well as members of NFL coaching staffs.

James' cousin Javarris has been at the camp, but may have to miss it this year after signing as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals earlier this week. The younger James, also a running back, played at Immokalee, the University of Miami, and then with the Indianapolis Colts in 2010 before being released prior to last season.

Among those who have helped out over the past three years are sports agent Drew Rosenhaus, and former NFL players Robert Bailey, Jammi German and Clinton Portis.

The camp's structure is designed to actively engage every participant. Each camper will be placed in groups based on similar age, size, and/or experience level. The camp emphasizes the basic fundamentals and skill development essential to improving football performance. Campers will receive instruction on technique enhancements, teamwork, sportsmanship, and educational life skills.

Visit www.edgerrinjamesfoundation.org. Click on programs, then football camp to print off a registration form. Forms can be submitted to the Immokalee Sports Complex in advance or the day of the camp (forms must have original signature).

The Immokalee Sports Complex is located at 505 Escambia St.


(naplesnews.com)

Collier County issued as follows press release:

District 5 Commissioner Jim Coletta ‘re going to present a proclamation to previous NFL great Edgerrin James long before the opening of James‘ 3rd yearly young people soccer go camping in Immokalee. The proclamation rite is timetabled for Monday, July 25,. at the Immokalee Sports Complicated - 505 Escambia Street Collier County Parks and Hobby is hosting the rd yearly Edgerrin James Speed and Agility Soccer Go camping on Monday The free go camping provides regional those under the opportunity to study soccer ability from NFL professionals.

This proclamation knows Edgerrin Jamess generosity and commitment to his homeland of Immokalee mentioned Commissioner Coletta The young people soccer go camping persists to grow in fame and I think through this past go camping to be an additional thrilling day for the teens of Immokalee and the encompassing zones Edgerrins go camping engages each participant from a beginer about the more seasoned athlete providing them with an opportunity to realize their certainly likely in a secure and gladness ecosystem Edgerrin James and the go camping teachers probably will be recommended for their commitment to positively influence teens.

Edgerrin James was born and raised in Immokalee and recruited from Immokalee High School to play for the College of Miami In Edgerrin was drafted th all in all by the Indianapolis Colts and was named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the days He holds the Colts group record generally in most job over all yards hurrying Edgerrin also played for the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.

On the part of the Eastern Collier Chamber of Trade ECOC and myself i personally would love to thank our Commissioners for acknowledging one in every of our regional heroes who has go back to support give our young people a far greater opportunity to be victorious mentioned ECOC President Fred Thomas Jr.

The Edgerrin James Speed and Agility Soccer Go camping is for schoolaged those under age six and up consisting of high school learners Last days participants joined in the go camping Walkin motor homes are greet.

Each camper would be placed in teams based on similar age size andor experience grade The go camping emphasizes the elemental basics and maneuver development necessary to getting better soccer performance Motor homes are going to gain valuable instruction on maneuver
enhancements teamwork sportsmanship and academic life ability
Edgerrin James will supply nutriment and drinks for the motor homes across the day The go camping would be retained Monday Those under must wear comfy athletic apparels and shoes.

Tracking the soccer go camping Moms and dads would be invited to engage in just as well.

IMMOKALEE — Even though the Immokalee playoff run came to an end on Friday night, the school's most prominent alumnus said the team's players have no reason to hang their heads after a 42-21 loss to Palmetto.

"This team is something special," former Immokalee, University of Miami and NFL star Edgerrin James said. "Even two years ago I was hearing about how good this team was going to have a good two- or three-year run so imagine how they're going to be next year."

James, who graduated from Immokalee in 1996 before going on to star at the University of Miami and in the National Football League with the Indianapolis Colts, was taking in his fifth Indians game of the year. He said he enjoyed watching this year's team, especially because of how long they've been playing together.

"The thing I like about them is that they've been playing with each other for years," James said. "That's the thing that takes them to another level. They've been together for a while so they're like a family."

James, who officially retired from the NFL earlier this year, said he's been enjoying his time away from football. He said he's spending most of his time with his family and working with his charitable foundation.

"I love it," James said. "We just took 100 kids to the Miami-Boston College game last week. It's a trip that we do every year. It's a great chance for the kids to get to a game and have a good time."

Despite his connection to many of the current Indians players (James said he's related to "everybody" in Immokalee), he said he plans to just keep enjoying the team from afar as a fan, and has no plans of becoming a coach.

"I've been playing football since I was eight years old," James said. "I still coach my son's team in Naples, but I just want to take a break and enjoy the game as a fan."

As far as the Indians' future, James said another offseason of work will only make his hometown team that much better.

"On every level you look at the teams that play together for a long time have success," James said. "When you have a team that's put together at the last minute it takes a while for them to jell. These guys are only going to get better."


(naplesnews.com)

There was no press conference or no breaking news updates from national media outlets when Immokalee native Edgerrin James announced his retirement from the National Football League.

Just as he conducted himself on and off the field for the better part of his football career, James’ retirement was quiet but effective.

“I’m done playing football,” James told a small group of reporters at his annual youth football camp in Immokalee on July 25.

Unlike fellow Southwest Florida native Deion Sanders, who is officially being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, James, who turned 33 on Aug. 1, plans to spend his post-football career in relative anonymity. The question now is whether or not Hall of Fame voters will remember Edgerrin in 2015 when he’s eligible to earn a spot in Canton.

Since James was not with a team in 2010 -- he last played with Seattle, which released James in the middle of the 2009 season -- James has to wait four years, instead of the usual five.

“I don’t know if he’s a Hall of Fame player, but he deserves to be in the room when we debate the final 15 guys each year,” said Mike Chappell, a Hall of Fame voter and the longtime Indianapolis Colts beat writer for the Indianapolis Star. “I think he had that kind of career and he deserves at the very least to be considered.”

Just based on statistics alone, James’ candidacy is hard to argue. The No. 4 overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami finished his career with 12,246 rushing yards, which ranks 11th in NFL history. James accomplished most of that with the Indianapolis Colts from 1999-2005. He also played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2006-08, becoming the first Collier County high school player to participate in a Super Bowl when Arizona lost to Pittsburgh, 27-23, in Tampa in February 2009.

James left Indianapolis as its 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.

James also was the AP and Pro Football Writers Association Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1999, and a four-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.

Besides New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who currently ranks sixth all-time in rushing, the only active running backs within 2,000 yards of James on the all-time list are Fred Taylor and Tiki Barber. Taylor is on the verge of retirement, and Barber has come out of retirement after four years away from the game, but has yet to sign with a team.

Only two of the nine Hall of Fame eligible players above James on the all-time rushing list, Jerome Bettis and Curtis Martin, have not yet been inducted. However, both players were just in their first year of Hall of Fame eligibility.

Click here to read the rest of the story...

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(naplesnews.com)

IMMOKALEE — Edgerrin James had never announced his retirement from 11 seasons in the NFL — until this morning.

James, who turns 33 on Aug. 1, admitted his retirement at the start of his third annual Edgerrin James Foundation football camp at the Immokalee Sports Complex, just across the street from where he graduated at Immokalee High School in 1996.

“I’ve been retired,” said James, a running back who began his career in 1999 as the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. “I’m not playing anymore.”

At last year’s football camp, James said he would consider playing for the right team. He revealed today he was joking. He said he never wanted to make a big deal out of retiring.

“That’s the way I wanted it,” James said. “I wanted to get in, get out, no big thing. I’m on to something else now. Now, I’m a fan.

“I could play again as a free agent, but that’s not something I would do. I got in, got out. That was the plan. I look at it as a well executed plan. Now I can do stuff like this. This is what I want to do. I didn’t want to keep playing until I was too old and I couldn’t move around. The last year I played, I was hurt, and I never had a chance to get healthy.

“Could I play? Yes, I could play. But do I want to play? No. I’m past that. Let’s open up the door for somebody else.”

Earlier this morning, Collier County commissioner Jim Coletta gave James a proclamation declaring today as Edgerrin James Day.

“This proclamation recognizes Edgerrin James’ generosity and commitment to his hometown of Immokalee,” Coletta said. “Edgerrin’s camp engages each participant, from the beginner to the more seasoned athlete, giving them a chance to realize their potential in a safe and fun environment.”

James said he appreciated the recognition.

“It means a lot,” he said. “It means you’re doing things right. The county commissioner doesn’t show up when you’re not doing things right. That’s one thing I’ve always taken pride in, is doing things the right way. He paid me respects. For me, that’s big.”

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(news-press.com)

IMMOKALEE — In its third year, the now annual Edgerrin and Javarris James Youth Football Camp has grown every summer since its inception in 2009.

This year's edition, Monday at the Immokalee Sports Complex, was the biggest yet, and the namesake cousins were on hand again to give advice from their years of experience as NFL running backs. But no matter how big the camp gets -- and there were more than 1,000 kids this time around -– the Jameses want to make sure the event stays true to its mission.

“I wanted to make it a fun day,” said Edgerrin James, 11-year NFL veteran who last played in 2009. "It's structured to where we do some work, then have fun, then (get in) the pool. It's kind of a nice family atmosphere. For people that aren't from here, it's to make them feel welcomed. They can come to Immokalee and take part in everything just like they grew up here.”

“This is an opportunity for the kids in Immokalee to see what it takes to make it to the next level,” Javarris James said. “We're out there working with them, too. This is good for the town of Immokalee.”

A 1996 graduate of Immokalee High School, Edgerrin James started the camp two summers ago as a way to teach and mentor kids from his hometown. Since then, the youth camp has blossomed into a statewide event with buses bringing players in from as far as Orlando on Monday.
Players were put through drills, taught techniques, and got to compete in a flag football tournament. More than that, seeing the James cousins, who came from the same humble roots as the campers, served as inspiration for the participants.

The camp started with a morning ceremony in which Collier County commissioner Jim Coletta named the day in honor of Edgerrin James and the work he's done giving back to the area's youth.

“Whereas children are the future of Florida, and it is important to take action to ensure they are provided a positive start in life,” Coletta read from a written proclamation, “... and whereas NFL star Edgerrin James will share his love for football and teach fundamentals and communicate the importance of hard work and respect … we are pleased to welcome the inspiration for our youth for the third year in a row.”

Edgerrin James is 11th on the NFL's all-time rushing list, but his cousin Javarris might have drawn more attention Monday from the young campers. Last summer Javarris James was an undrafted free agent who was preparing for Indianapolis Colts training camp.

After starting the season on the New England Patriots' practice squad, James finished the year with the Colts – Edgerrin's former team – and scored six touchdowns in the final seven games.

When he arrived on the field Monday, the younger James was mobbed by younger players wanting to shake his hand and ask for an autograph.
“It's different this year from what it was last year for me personally,” Javarris James said. “Now I can actually say I've played in the NFL. All these guys have seen me on television, where last year I was just getting into it.”

NFL free agent running back Clinton Portis, a product of the University of Miami like the James cousins, was on hand at Immokalee on Monday. Fort Myers High grad and former NFL receiver Jammi German also worked the camp.

The players were split almost equally among high school, middle school and younger age groups. While the little ones learned fundamentals and techniques, the older players participated in a mini combine that tested their football skills, including the 40-yard dash.

The day ended with a cookout for the campers and their parents and a pool party at the Immokalee Sports Complex aquatics center.

The most popular part of the day, though, was the 7-on-7 games that came in the afternoon. Some players traveled to Immokalee specifically to compete against teams they wouldn't otherwise see.

“The kids love it,” Edgerrin James said. “They love that there are kids from other places. That's what they like the most because they get a chance to come out and compete, measure themselves up against each other. See where they stand. They're always looking forward to the flag football game at the end.”

Jameel Jackson, 17, came to the camp with four of his Fort Pierce Central teammates. He said he enjoyed learning from the pros, but the biggest reason his team was there was to test itself against other squads.

“We try to go to a lot of different camps,” Jackson said. “We came out here for the 7-on-7. It's what we're best at.”

Many of the high school players shared the same sentiment. Jimmy Bayes, a sophomore receiver who was one of more than two dozen Immokalee players at Monday's camp, said the Indians always look forward to the afternoon games.

“It's competition,” said Jimmy Bayes, 16, a sophomore wide receiver at Immokalee. “That's why you play football. It drives everybody.”

While Edgerrin and Javarris James emphasized their camp was all about fun, there were lessons the hosts hoped to impart on the youngsters.
By coming home to a small, often underprivileged Immokalee, the Jameses want to show the players that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

“Immokalee – this is the root of everything.” Edgerrin James said. “This is where I started out, where I played. If somebody like myself doesn't come back here, who will come here? It's just natural for me to come back here and give these guys the same opportunity I had or an even better opportunity than I had.

“For me, it's natural to come out here and be a part of something like this. I love dealing with the kids, I love having fun. This is easy. It's a matter of having a free schedule. This is where I want to be. I like dealing with these kids.”

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(naplesnews.com)

NAPLES — Former Immokalee High School football and NFL star Edgerrin James will host his annual football skills camp Monday at the Immokalee Sports Complex. The camp is free for children ages 6-18 and is co-hosted by James’ cousin and current Indianapolis Colts running back Javarris James.

“This is something that the community looks forward to every year,” Immokalee High head football coach Jerrod Ackley said. “I’m excited to be able to take part in it, and I know a lot of our kids are as well.”

This year’s camp will mark the third year that Edgerrin James, who last played in the NFL with Seattle in 2009, has hosted the camp free of charge. Registration is from 8-9:30 a.m. and the camp runs until 3:30 p.m.

“Some of the kids on our team have been going to this camp since they were in middle school,” Ackley said. “They get a chance to see Edgerrin and see that it’s possible to make it and be successful if you’re from Immokalee.”

Rodelin Anthony, a former high school teammate of Javarris James who attended the University of Nevada-Las Vegas to play football, will be working at the event for the first time. He said he’s excited to get a chance to be part of an event he’s heard so much about.

“This isn’t just about the kids, it’s about the whole city of Immokalee coming together,” Anthony said. “It’s a huge event that everyone looks forward to and it’s a great thing.”

After the camp ends, James and the city of Immokalee host a pool party and barbeque from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Sports Complex. Last year, 1,100 children participated in the camp.

According to James’ foundation website, the camp will include other NFL players and members of NFL coaching staffs. On Sunday, Javarris James said on his Twitter feed that Sam Shields, a former University of Miami teammate who is a cornerback for the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, and Jeremy Ware, a defensive back for the Oakland Raiders, would be at the camp.

Campers are broken down and placed into groups based on age, size and skill level. The camp emphasizes basic fundamentals and skill development. In addition to football fundamentals, teamwork, sportsmanship and educational life skills are also emphasized.

Prior to the start of the camp, James will be honored by Collier County Commissioners who will proclaim Monday “Edgerrin James Day” in the county.

District 5 Commissioner Jim Coletta also will present a proclamation to James. The ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 a.m.

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(naplesnews.com)

Collier County commissioners will proclaim Monday as Edgerrin James Day and the former Immokalee High star running back's free youth football camp in Immokalee.

District 5 Commissioner Jim Coletta will present a proclamation to James, who played for the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in his career. James co-hosts the camp with his cousin, Javarris, who is a running back for the Colts. Both Jameses played for the University of Miami.

The ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. at the Immokalee Sports Complex, 505 Escambia St.

Collier County Parks and Recreation is conducting the third annual camp from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

The free camp offers kids ages 6 through high school the chance to learn football skills from NFL pros. Last year 1,100 participants attended the camp.

“This proclamation recognizes Edgerrin James’s generosity and commitment to his hometown of Immokalee,” Commissioner Coletta said. “The youth football camp continues to grow in popularity, and I anticipate this year’s camp to be another exciting day for the young people of Immokalee and the surrounding areas.

"Edgerrin’s camp engages each participant, from the beginner to the more seasoned athlete, giving them a chance to realize their potential in a safe and fun environment. Edgerrin James and the camp instructors should be commended for their commitment to positively influence young people.”

Each camper will be placed in groups based on similar age, size, and/or experience level. The camp emphasizes the basic fundamentals and skill development essential to improving football performance. Campers will receive valuable instruction on technique enhancements, teamwork, sportsmanship, and educational life skills.

Food and drinks for the campers will be provided throughout the day. Campers must wear comfortable athletic clothing and shoes.
Following the football camp, James and the Immokalee Sports Complex will host a pool party for the kids from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Parents will be invited to attend as well.

In 1999, James was drafted fourth overall by the Colts, and was named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He holds the Colts’ team record for most career total yards rushing.

“On behalf of the Eastern Collier Chamber of Commerce (ECOC) and myself personally, I would like to thank our commissioners for recognizing one of our local heroes who has come back to help give our youth a better chance to be successful,” ECOC President Fred Thomas Jr. said.
Sign up for this camp by calling the Immokalee Sports Complex at (239) 657-1951 or visit www.edgerrinjamesfoundation.org

For more information, contact Collier County Parks and Recreation at (239) 252-4000 or visit www.collierparks.com.

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(naplesdailynews.com)

Check out photos of Edgerrin James and Reggie Wayne and James’ Summer Youth Camp. proCane Tamara James also joined James and Wayne at the camp.





Click here to order Reggie Wayne’s or Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(twitter.com)

Registration is now open for the third annual Edgerrin and Javarris James Youth Football Camp on Monday, July 25 at the Immokalee Sports Complex.

The inaugural camp in 2009 drew 400 youngsters. There were 500 last year. Registration is from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The free camp is in conjunction with Collier County Parks and Recreation, as well as the Edgerrin James Foundation. The camp is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and for ages 6-18. Instructors include some of the best players from college and the NFL, as well as members of NFL coaching staffs.

Among those who have helped out over the past two years are sports agent Drew Rosenhaus, former NFL players Robert Bailey, Jammi German and current running back Clinton Portis.

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(immokaleetoday.com)

Registration is now open for the third annual Edgerrin and Javarris James Youth Football Camp on Monday, July 25 at the Immokalee Sports Complex.

The inaugural camp in 2009 drew 400 youngsters. There were 500 last year. Registration is from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The free camp is in conjunction with Collier County Parks and Recreation, as well as the Edgerrin James Foundation. The camp is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and for ages 6-18. Instructors include some of the best players from college and the NFL, as well as members of NFL coaching staffs.

Among those who have helped out over the past two years are sports agent Drew Rosenhaus, former NFL players Robert Bailey, Jammi German and current running back Clinton Portis.

The camp's structure is designed to actively engage every participant. Each camper will be placed in groups based on similar age, size, and/or experience level. The camp emphasizes the basic fundamentals and skill development essential to improving football performance. Campers will receive instruction on technique enhancements, teamwork, sportsmanship, and educational life skills.

Visit www.edgerrinjamesfoundation.org. Click on programs, then football camp to print off a registration form. Forms can be submitted to the Immokalee Sports Complex in advance or the day of the camp (forms must have original signature).

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.


(naplesnews.com)

Comments

PAHOKEE, Fla. — Edgerrin James couldn’t have been happier to see his cousin Javarris carrying the ball last season for his former NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts. It was as if the torch had officially been passed.

James was inside the Pahokee High gymnasium watching a celebrity charity basketball game as part of Anquan Boldin’s annual Q Fest. But his mind was still on football, and on the future of another James, as Javarris became a touchdown specialist near the goal line for the Colts in 2010 scoring six times in 10 games.

“(Javarris) did really well, especially after going through getting released and getting back up,” Edgerrin said. “He just stuck to it and it was beautiful to see him in a Colts uniform. That’s one place you’d want to be because you know you’re going to be taken care of. That’s one of the best organizations in the NFL so to see him in that uniform was better than perfect.”

His seven seasons in Indianapolis were highly productive for Edgerrin, and he is still the franchise leader in rushing yards with 9,226. After spending 1999-2005 with the Colts, Edgerrin left via free agency and played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2006-08 before ending his career in Seattle with the Seahawks in 2009.

Now that he has been retired for almost two years, Edgerrin has put in more time to giving back to his hometown of Immokalee. He plans to put on another summer football camp on July 25 where he draws a similar amount of current and former NFL players as Boldin did to Pahokee. But after watching Javarris follow his footsteps at the University of Miami and then go undrafted last year before rushing for 112 yards on 46 carries, he plans to continue his role as mentor.

“Javarris has everything that it takes so he’s going to be all right,” Edgerrin said. “He’s in the right organization and that’s the best thing. A lot of it has to do with where you end up.”

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.



(naplesnews.com)

Edgerrin James, Indianapolis - Like Dickerson, James would come to the NFL and find himself in an ideal situation. The fourth player selected in 1999, James could both run and catch. In Indianapolis, he ran a league-high 369 times for 1,553 yards and 13 scores. He also caught 62 balls for 586 yards and four more touchdowns and finished the year No.1 overall in fantasy points.

Click here to order Edgerrin James’ proCane Rookie Card.



(sportsnetwork.com)

Edgerrin James, Watermelon Loader
Some summer jobs have had unexpected benefits that lead on to successful careers. For Edgerrin James, NFL running back, the physically demanding work of loading watermelons one summer was to help him save money for a car. However, all that muscle-building had extended benefits; maybe handling the watermelons helped James easily keep a grip on the football, as well. And even the intensity of pre-season training camp probably looks easier when James thinks back to the 16-hour days of watermelon loading.

Read about more celebrity summer jobs here

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(sfgate.com)