Edgerrin James

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

James joined the Cardinals after seven seasons with Indianapolis. During the 2008 season, he went through a stretch of 10 games where he carried the ball only 20 times as coach Ken Whisenhunt used him strictly as a pass protector. In Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks, he carried the ball 14 times for 100 yards. Following his long-time girlfriend Andia Wilson's death from cancer in April 2009, James asked for his release despite having a year left on his contract, and the Cardinals honored the request on April 28.

In Their Own Story

In the Wild Card Round against the Atlanta Falcons, James averaged 4.6 yards per carry. He then rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Divisional Round upset over the Carolina Panthers. Later, he gained 73 yards in the NFC Championship victory against the Philadelphia Eagles before rushing nine times for 33 yards in the Super Bowl XLIII loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Reader's Guide

James played three years with Arizona from 2006 through 2009. He was the active career rushing leader from the start of 2007 until November 2009, though LaDainian Tomlinson passed him by the end of that season. His role shifted in 2008 to primarily pass protection for ten games before he returned to a standard workload late in the year.

Did You Know?

• James became the active career rushing leader at the start of the 2007 season.
• He rushed for a touchdown in the Cardinals' Divisional Round playoff victory over the Carolina Panthers.
• After his girlfriend Andia Wilson died of cancer in April 2009, James requested and received his release from the team despite having one year remaining on his contract.
• James played in Super Bowl XLIII with Arizona, rushing nine times for 33 yards.