James caught a mere 19 passes, impressing almost nobody but himself. Plus, oh, yes, Mom. Whalen's family by then had left Portland, relocating to northern Kentucky, homesteading in a village called Walton. Good night, John Boy. His father, James Sr., works for Esco Steel and was transferred to a plant in Covington, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.
Kid is no dummy.
Whalen's mother, Mary, was eager to help. She had videotaped high school games and put together a highlights reel. Not far down I-75 from Covington, in Lexington, Hal Mumme was a creative new UK football coach in 1997. James showed up at Hal's office with Mom's videos. Mumme took a look.