Mike James (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1991)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Mike James
| image = Mike James (American football) 2012.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = James with the Miami Hurricanes in 2012
| current_team =
| number = 25
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|4|13|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Haines City, Florida, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| high_school = Ridge Community
(Davenport, Florida)
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 223
| college = Miami (FL)
| draftyear = 2013
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 189
| pastteams =
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2013}}–{{NFL Year|2016}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2016}})*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2016}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
| status =
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 351
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 4.2
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 15
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 60
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 =
|pfr=JameMi00
}}
Mike James (born April 13, 1991) is a former American football running back who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. James was selected in the 6th round (189th overall) of the 2013 NFL draft by the Buccaneers. He played college football at the University of Miami.
Early life
James attended Ridge Community High School in Davenport, Florida, where he played for the Bolts football team.{{cite web|title=Mike James|url=https://hurricanesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5077|website=hurricanesports.com| date=June 3, 2017 |accessdate=May 13, 2018}} He was selected to The Ledger's all-county first-team as a running back and to the Mobile Press-Register's Super Southeast 120. He was also a Florida Sports Writers Association All-State honorable mention. Coming out of high school he was ranked as the 18th-best running back prospect by Scout.com, the 21st-best by Rivals.com, and the 33rd-best by ESPN.com.
College career
James attended the University of Miami, where he played four seasons for the Hurricanes football team. During his collegiate career he rushed for 1,386 yards on 312 carries with 17 rushing touchdowns, while recording 585 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, he played mainly as a backup for Damien Berry and Lamar Miller. During the 2012 season, he and Duke Johnson shared playing time. As a senior he was honored with the Community Service Man of the Year Award, Captain's Award, Melching Leadership Award, and was named Jack Harding Team Most Valuable Player.
Professional career
=Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first stint)=
James was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round (189th overall) of the 2013 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2013 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2013/draft.htm |access-date=May 15, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On May 13, 2013, he signed a four-year deal worth $2,263,152 which also included a $103,152 signing bonus. During his rookie season he rushed for 295 yards on 60 carries, including a 158-yard game against Seattle during week 9.{{cite news|last1=Howell|first1=Leo|title=Mike James Proves He Has the Talent to Enjoy Promising Future with Buccaneers|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1835984-mike-james-proves-he-has-the-talent-to-enjoy-promising-future-with-buccaneers|accessdate=May 13, 2013|work=Bleacher Report|date=November 3, 2013}} His season ended the following week against Miami when he broke his ankle on a goal-line run.{{cite news|last1=Wesseling|first1=Chris|title=Mike James out for Bucs' season with fractured ankle|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/mike-james-out-for-bucs-season-with-fractured-ankle-0ap2000000280523|access-date=May 13, 2018|work=NFL.com|date=November 12, 2013}}
During the 2014 season James rushed for 37 yards in 11 games played. The next year he was released by the Buccaneers on September 29, then signed to the practice squad on October 1, and promoted to the active roster on December 26, 2015.{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions: Mike James|url=http://www.detroitlions.com/team/roster/Mike-James/e6322479-c8a0-43b1-a4d1-6bd767d15f44|website=detroitlions.com|accessdate=May 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514064628/http://www.detroitlions.com/team/roster/Mike-James/e6322479-c8a0-43b1-a4d1-6bd767d15f44|archive-date=May 14, 2018|url-status=dead}} He did not play in any games during the 2015 season. James was waived by the Buccaneers on September 7, 2016, following an injury.{{cite news|title=Buccaneers Waive (Injured) RB Mike James|url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Buccaneers-Waive-Injured-RB-Mike-James/8d515d77-f524-4864-98c1-3c6dd0c63fe7|work=buccaneers.com|date=September 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802003902/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Buccaneers-Waive-Injured-RB-Mike-James/8d515d77-f524-4864-98c1-3c6dd0c63fe7|archive-date=August 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}
=Detroit Lions (first stint)=
On October 3, 2016, the Detroit Lions signed James to their practice squad.{{cite news|title=Lions sign RB Mike James to practice squad|url=http://www.detroitlions.com/news/news-short/article-1/Lions-sign-RB-Mike-James-to-practice-squad/a89b3a7e-a3ff-4e65-ab02-1a31ec4f8e46|website=detroitlions.com|date=October 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112160031/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/news-short/article-1/Lions-sign-RB-Mike-James-to-practice-squad/a89b3a7e-a3ff-4e65-ab02-1a31ec4f8e46|archive-date=January 12, 2018|url-status=dead}} He was released on October 25, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Bouda|first1=Nate|title=Lions Waive RB Mike James From Practice Squad, Sign OL Mike Rotheram|url=http://nfltraderumors.co/lions-waive-rb-mike-james-practice-squad-sign-ol-mike-rotheram/|work=nfltraderumors.co|date=October 25, 2016}}
=Tampa Buccaneers (second stint)=
On November 1, 2016, James was re-signed by the Buccaneers.{{cite web|title=Bucs Sign RB James, Trade CB Banks|url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Sign-RB-James-Trade-CB-Banks/56a60472-cf90-451f-9779-a0b0c944b6a5|author=Smith, Scott|website=buccaneers.com|date=November 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514064746/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Sign-RB-James-Trade-CB-Banks/56a60472-cf90-451f-9779-a0b0c944b6a5|archive-date=May 14, 2018|url-status=dead}} He played in four games before being waived on November 29.{{cite web|title=Major Wright Returns Amid Week 12 Moves|url=http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Major-Wright-Returns-Amid-Week-12-Moves/64155c15-db68-4535-aa99-5608f2955aa8|author=Smith, Scott|website=buccaneers.com|date=November 29, 2016|access-date=November 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130111819/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Major-Wright-Returns-Amid-Week-12-Moves/64155c15-db68-4535-aa99-5608f2955aa8|archive-date=November 30, 2016|url-status=dead}}
=Detroit Lions (second stint)=
On December 3, 2016, James was re-signed to the Lions practice squad.{{cite web|title=Lions sign WR TJ Jones to active roster and activate DE Armonty Bryant|url=http://www.detroitlions.com/news/news-short/article-1/Lions-sign-WR-TJ-Jones-to-active-roster-and-activate-DE-Armonty-Bryant/dd208efb-dcd6-4d12-93a4-bfb8e0963329|website=detroitlions.com|date=December 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816022036/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/news-short/article-1/Lions-sign-WR-TJ-Jones-to-active-roster-and-activate-DE-Armonty-Bryant/dd208efb-dcd6-4d12-93a4-bfb8e0963329|archive-date=August 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} He signed a reserve / future contract with the Lions on January 9, 2017.{{cite web|title=Lions sign nine players to Reserve/Future List|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-nine-players-to-reserve-future-list-18421826|website=detroitlions.com|date=January 9, 2017}} On August 15, 2017, the Lions placed James on injured reserve with a concussion.{{cite web|title=Lions waive G Matt Rotheram and place DE Kerry Hyder, RB Mike James on IR|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-waive-g-matt-rotheram-and-place-de-kerry-hyder-rb-mike-james-on-i-19197330|website=detroitlions.com|date=August 15, 2017}}
Cannabis use and advocacy
{{See also|Cannabis and sports}}
James is an advocate for the medical use of cannabis, which he says can help reduce addiction to opioids among NFL players. James says cannabis helped him overcome his own painkiller addiction while recovering from a severe ankle injury sustained in 2013.{{cite news|last1=Maese|first1=Rick|title=An NFL running back says he needs one thing to continue his football career: weed|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2018/05/01/an-nfl-running-back-says-he-needs-one-thing-to-continue-his-football-career-weed/|accessdate=May 13, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 1, 2018}} In 2018, after failing a drug test the previous year, James filed a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) with the NFL to allow him to use cannabis.{{cite news|last1=Howard|first1=Jacqueline|title=NFL player makes medical marijuana history: 'I have a life to live'|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/30/health/nfl-marijuana-mike-james-profile-exclusive/index.html|accessdate=May 13, 2018|work=CNN|date=April 30, 2018}} The petition was later denied, but James' attorney said that discussion with league officials was ongoing.{{cite news|last1=Politi|first1=Steve|title=NFL to players in pain: Get hooked on opioids rather than try marijuana|url=http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/05/mike_james_marijuana_fight_nfl_column_politi.html|accessdate=May 13, 2018|work=NJ Advance Media|date=May 8, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Gwilliam |first1=Louise |title=Cannabis and sport: NFL's Mike James asks for permission to use cannabis |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/american-football/44021469 |accessdate=June 5, 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=June 1, 2018}}
James was featured in the CNN documentary Weed 4 discussing his use of cannabis as an alternate pain reliever and his push for the NFL to allow its use. James is also a co-chair of the Doctors for Cannabis Regulation NFL steering committee.{{cite web |title=NFL Campaign |url=https://dfcr.org/nfl-campaign/ |website=Doctors for Cannabis Regulation |accessdate=October 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028061541/https://dfcr.org/nfl-campaign/ |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- {{Football stats |nfl=mike-james |espn=15968 |pfr=J/JameMi00|yahoo=26812}}
- [https://hurricanesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5077 Miami Hurricanes bio]
{{Buccaneers2013DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Mike}}
Category:People from Haines City, Florida
Category:Players of American football from Polk County, Florida
Category:American football running backs
Category:Miami Hurricanes football players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players