ESPN Analyst Craig James Announces He Will Run as a Republican for Texas U.S. Senate Seat
- Posted on December 19, 2011 at 8:53pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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(The Blaze/AP) ESPN college football analyst Craig James, who starred as a tailback at Southern Methodist University and with the New England Patriots in the 1980s, announced Monday he was running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican from Texas, a GOP fundraiser said.
James, who appears on the cable network’s weekly game broadcasts, has been flirting with entering politics for more than year. Republican fundraiser and close friend Roy Bailey told The Associated Press on Monday that James informed him he was running for the 2012 Senate seat and was in the process of dropping off his official candidate papers in Austin.
“I think it’s great for Texas. Anytime you have someone with Craig’s street smarts and business sense and willingness to serve the public, it’s a great thing,” said Bailey, who added that he would help raise money for James. Messages left for James were not immediately returned.
Though James’ name recognition could be an advantage in the race, it also could hurt him.
James is a polarizing figure who was embroiled in Texas Tech University‘s 2009 decision to fire popular football coach Mike Leach over allegations the coach mistreated James’ son, a Red Raiders player, after he sustained a concussion. He also was a member of the record-setting SMU football team in the early 1980s when the program entered a series of scandals that ultimately forced the NCAA to shut it down.
His late entry into the Senate race puts him a in a primary field already crowded with well-known and wealthy candidates who are vying for the seat vacated by retiring Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, former Dallas mayor Tom Leppert and former Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz have spent months raising money and collecting endorsements from prominent Republicans. The deadline to enter the race is Feb. 1.
James, 50, who lives in Celina north of Dallas, has been a board member of the influential conservative think tank the Texas Policy Foundation in Austin and recently founded Texans for a Better America to promote conservative policies. He is likely banking on name recognition from his work for ESPN and his ties to big-time college football to overcome his late start.
But that name recognition could prove to be a double-edged sword.
Texas Tech fired Leach, who had the most wins in school history, after James complained to school administrators that Leach mistreated his son, Adam James, by twice ordering him to stand for hours confined in a dark place after he got a concussion.
Leach denies mistreating the younger James and has said Craig James had called coaches trying to get his son more playing time. Leach also said he suspects an $800,000 bonus he was due on Dec. 31, 2009, was the reason he was fired.
Leach sued the university and named Craig James as a defendant. The case is pending before the Texas Supreme Court. Leach also has sued ESPN Inc. and a Dallas public relations firm, accusing them of libel and slander after he was fired.
From 1979-1982, James was a star player at SMU and was part of the record-setting “Pony Express” backfield with Eric Dickerson. Though the Mustangs won Southwest Conference championships in 1981 and 1982, the team was also embroiled in several NCAA investigations.
In 1987, the NCAA hit SMU with the so-called “death penalty” for repeated infractions, shutting down the program for a year after finding SMU had continued to pay players after promising in 1985 it would stop. SMU also chose not to play in 1988 because the NCAA would have limited the Mustangs to only seven games, none at home.
The scandal is generally considered among the worst in college sports history. The sanctions leveled by the NCAA decimated the Mustangs program and SMU remains the only school to be given the “death penalty.”
James was never directly implicated in the NCAA transgressions and he has consistently denied any involvement.
But James also has had a close relationship with Dallas real estate developer Sherwood Blount, one of the key boosters involved in the pay-for-play scandal. Blount, who reportedly insisted SMU had a “payroll to meet” even after the school promised the payments would stop, was James’ agent when he played in the NFL.
In his book “Gameday,” James wrote: “I’m not going to sit here and tell you I never received a nickel during my playing days. But I can say with certainty that no benefits were ever extended to me from anyone associated with the SMU administration.”
After college, James was drafted by the Washington Federals in the USFL and signed with the Patriots before the 1985 season. He retired from football in 1989.
As a businessman, James has been involved in ventures providing video content for the Internet as well as real estate holdings and development, according to the Texans for a Better America website.
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Bhull
Posted on April 24, 2012 at 1:36pmBoth James’ are douchebags. Read Leach’s book “Swing you’re Sword” & the book “Double T, Double Cross”. You’ll get a pretty clear picture of who Craig James is.
Report Post »- TTU class of 82
tealsize
Posted on January 16, 2012 at 3:28pmI have known Craig James for over 30 years. He is the kind, good-hearted person and one we need in office. We don’t need politicians – we need normal, everyday people who know what it’s like in the “real world.” I am standing by him 100%. Craig is all for less government, less spending, less taxes, and more freedom as the answer to the mess we are in as a nation. That is the bottom line. Everything else is second. There are many untruths out there, and none of them have anything to do with our country and the turmoil it is in. Craig has never done anything but the the best athlete, the best son, the best husband, the best father, the best sports commentator, etc. Can any of us say we are perfect? No, but we are not being judged because we are not running for political office. We all sit around complaining about the economy, the government, etc. I, for one, am glad Craig is DOING SOMETHING. Go for it, Craig! We need your type of leadership to turn this joke of a government around.
Report Post »txdawna
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:31pmGo Get ‘em CRAIG…. I watched/went to all your games w/ the PATS! Now I’m in Texas you got my vote. I guess not knowing about those college scandels helps me!!
Report Post »Richard Weed
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:15pmCraig James is an evil SOB that assisted in ruining TWO football programs and the character assassination of a great coach. Mike Leach will get his revenge because the TRUTH always come out (eventually). Hope this A@@HOLE does not get elected.
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 2:01pmtwinelm
Report Post »Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:56am
You talk like that under the American flag, I undestand the star of david thats typical, your just a name caller and I would not let you sweep my warehouse
hamline66
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 12:27pmGreat football player in college, good pro—no credentials at all for Senator. Lots of questionable, if unproven as yet, actions throughout his various careers. We have to be able to find better than this to represent the conservative values of our nation !
Report Post »TexBork
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:34amNO
#1 His scandal laden past indicates a future of corruption and lies.
#2 He is born of the liberal university crowd.
#3 He has no political experience.
NO
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 2:03pmAnd the problem? None, you must be for the Progressive RINO Dewhurst
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:27amSorry, Craig, but you messed up with the Texas Tech fired Leach!
Report Post »Bill in Texas
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:59amCraig who? Ne name recognition here.
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 2:04pmI dont know this guy but I do know a what ever it takes to win fan
Report Post »Willik
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:22amHe’ll not get my vote. What he, his son and TT administration did to Leach is an abomination. It proves Liberals HATE true winners. TT was Liberal back in the late ’50s and is more so now! How disappointing. ‘63 Alum
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 7:59amCouldn’t agree more. The kid is, apparently, just as arrogant as the dad.
Report Post »quicker
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:30amTed Cruz is the man .
Report Post »planoraider
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 12:08amEveryone knows he killed those five hookers! If you don’t know just google it!
Report Post »Techster64
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 10:45pmPlease after the problems he caused at Tech, he should not be a Republican Senator. He was a tool of university officials who wanted to dump Mike Leach and hire Tubby. Why, I do not know. But, the two James cooked up a scandal that allowed university officials to deny Leach a lot of money he had earned. James would make a good Democrat, but GOP, don’t bite. James has no character or honor.
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 11:22pmMust be why I heard of craig james college recruiting scandal a hundred times this week. All the local talk shows have been talking of his pay to play college days, couldn’t fiure why it was on the news, now i do
Report Post »Sidwit
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 10:35pmHe was involved in a dirty football program back in the ‘80’s and he likes to throw his weight around. He’s got all the qualifications to be a politician. The way he handled his son’s situation would make a soccer Mom proud. He needs to crawl back in his hole or go help SMU recruit some players.
Report Post »jmhammond
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 10:10pmI would personally like to thank Craig James for letting us Washington State Cougars have Coach Leach. However, if Texas is stupid enough to elect James, then God help us all!!!
Report Post »rlmeals
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 10:39pmHe won’t be getting my vote. I was a year out of college at Texas Tech when that crap happened with Leach, and let me tell you it was a crock. Nobody, not even the state and national news media, got as in depth in the coverage as our local station did, and when all was said and done, there was overwhelming support for Leach, and still is. Anybody who can throw such an entitled hissy fit over his son‘s playing time and twist the coach’s actions into something it was for pure retaliation has no business in public office. We already have enough of that crap going on, we don’t need more. We need people with integrity.
Report Post »James_WSU
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 1:23amGo COUGS!
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:59pmHow’s he going to find the time. He‘s too busy wiping his college boy’s backside.
Report Post »bbhouston
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:53pmPure sleaze……. I hope he spends a lot of personal money in this losing proposition.
Report Post »wdvander
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:49pmI agree that Dewhurst is nothing but Hutchison in anti-drag, a liberal republican. There are already candidates that can defeat Dewhurst. Craig James getting into the primary is nothing but a distraction. James made news last year when he used his “fame” as an ESPN analyst to place pressure on the then football coach at Texas Tech. Leach eventually resigned.
Many say one of their turnoffs about politics is the good ol’ boy deals that are arranged outside the view of public. James arranged one of those when Mike Leach lost his job. The current chancellor at Tech is one of the original RINO’s, Kent Hance. Hance was more than willing to use James‘ influence in the media to affect Leach’s perception and eventually his firing.
That is the type politician Craig James would be, a back room bargain maker. James’ initial claim to fame was being a part of the SMU backfield that accepted enough pay-off money to cause SMU’s football team to receive the death penalty. SMU was without a football program for two years and has never returned to the level of performance of the early 80′s. This guy is absolutely WRONG for Texas in any political office. Don’t take this announcement as a serious effort. It is convenient that this announcement took place after the college football season and the primary will be over in April, allowing him to return to his regular job without losing a bit of cash.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 10:02pmAdd on top of that that his son was a headcase at Texas Tech and caused a lot of grief for that University, there‘s probably not too many rose peddles and puppy eyes headed Craig James’ chances.
Report Post »Jarad
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 11:13pmThank you ! Saved me one heck of a lot of typing……lol
Report Post »Merry Christmas
Becky T
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 5:33pmCoach Leach was fired because he wouldn’t sign an admission of guilt/apology. He did not resign.
Report Post »CloudNine
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:47pmHe will not receive any support from people in Idaho!
Report Post »Luvthyfreedom
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:38pmTexas, please vote for him……I hate his ass and want him off ESPN. He is an idiot who is doing the SEC bidding with most the other ESPN analyst. I’m sure someone is pushing him to politics because they have a piece of him……..corrupt basteed!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:57pmHell no we dont want his sorry a@@. Look at what he did to Mike Leech. Total Bullcrap! He would make a good politician though…nice and crooked already.
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 11:01pmHe’s a pretty decent commentator. I don’t think he prefers the SEC; he’s just telling you the truth.
Personally I didn’t care for the way he handled the situation w/ TT and Mike Leach but I could over look that if his politics were right.
Give him a chance. Let’s hear what he has to say.
Report Post »TexBork
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:37amDo you really think you will see less of him if he gets off ESPN and into Politics??
He’s gonna make your life hell with how invasive he can get into your life with his votes. At least at ESPN there were no decisions made that directly affected the rest of the US.
Be careful what you wish for.
Report Post »tracer51250
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:36pmI think I heard Sheriff Mack say he would be running, if I lived in Texas he’d get my vote!
Report Post »mrmikejohnson
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:30pmLet’s hope he has more toughness in politics than he did as a football player.
Report Post »db321
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:35pmI would vote for him if I could.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:59pmDB…what he did to Mike Leech was total bullcrap. You can have him wherever you live. Here in texas we dont want him.
Report Post »TexBork
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:39amDB321, you would vote for him based on what?
Report Post »Marnin
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:17pmAnyone but Dewhurst! He is at best a RINO
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:58pmTrue.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:04pmJust be careful if he is elected, that he doesn’t call an audible and switch parties. Everyone knows running backs hate it when one guy gets all the carries, they like eqal ball distribution.
Report Post »bigbro
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 9:03pmAfter what you did to Texas Tech, you’re wasting you time and money.
Report Post »ddg7
Posted on December 19, 2011 at 8:59pmJames history of shading dealings are enough to put him in the lead for any political office. He’s a player in more than one sense of the word.
Report Post »762x51
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 1:06pmThat would be proof to the political ruling class that he can be bought and will “play ball”, sorry I could not resist the pun, with them once he is in office.
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