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College Career
James was recruited out of Florida's Immokalee High School by the University of Miami. He proved to be one of the most successful running backs in the school's history.
James ranked second in all-time University of Miami rushing yards. He was the only running back in the university's history to post two consecutive seasons with 1000-plus rushing yards, and he ranks first in school history with the most 100-plus rushing games. All single season records held by James have since been broken by former Miami and current Baltimore Ravens RB Willis McGahee in 2002.
NFL career
- Indianapolis Colts
James signed a seven-year, $49 million rookie contract. Many critics believed that the Colts made a mistake by choosing James over the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. James quieted the critics and was an immediate success, and was named the 1999 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. James won the NFL rushing title in his first two seasons, before tearing his ACL six games into the 2001 season. After the 2002 season, where James failed to regain his form of 1999 and 2000, many believed that James would never recover from his knee injury. However, James rebounded well in 2003 and re-established his place as one of the top running backs in the NFL in 2004 and 2005, with over 1,500 rushing yards in both seasons.
James left Indianapolis as their all time leading rusher with 9,226 yards.
- Arizona Cardinals
James signed a four-year deal with the Cardinals on March 12, 2006. He was the Cardinals' most significant addition during the 2006 offseason. With the Cardinals, James filled the shoes of former running back Emmitt Smith, who played for the Cardinals for a short time at the end of his career.
NFL records
James led the league in rushing during his rookie and sophomore season. He's currently the record holder for most total yards from scrimmage per game in a regular season career.
At 9,226 total yards as a Colt, James holds the Colts' team record for most career total yards rushing.
As of 2006 game 5, James is #2 career average yards per game (100+ games) at 123, behind only Jim Brown (126). Similarly he is in the top 5 for career touchdowns per game.
Personal
James currently resides in Miami, Florida. He is unmarried and has a daughter. James' younger cousin, Javarris James, is currently a sophomore running back for James' alma mater, the University of Miami. James established the Edgerrin James Foundation, a charity for underprivileged children and families. In 2000, he donated $250,000 to the University of Miami, which is the largest donation ever made to the university by one of its former athletes.
James appeared in the music video for Trick Daddy's song Take It To Da House. He was also the spokesperson and cover athlete for ESPN NFL Primetime 2002.
Edgerrin James and teammate Matt Leinart are co-owners of one of the largest indoor go-cart tracks in Arizona. James and Leinart are both huge race fans, and were spotted together in Daytona for the 2007 Daytona 500. There is talk of the two Cardinals' players buying their own team for the 2009/10 race season.
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