Bradie James Bradie Gene James ( born January 17 , 1981 is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent in the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft . He played college football at LSU . Early years . James went to Wossman High School in Monroe , Louisiana from 1995 - 1997 . In 1998 , he transferred to West Monroe High School in West Monroe , Louisiana . During his senior year , he helped lead his team to the 1998 Class 5A state title . As a senior he also earned Parade All - America , All - State , Football Magazine ’ s All - Louisiana Team , class 5A defensive MVP and district defensive MVP honors , after totaling 136 tackles , 10 tackles for losses , five sacks and three fumble recoveries . College career . In 1999 , James went to Louisiana State University ( LSU ) to play college football for LSU ' s football team . He became the second player in LSU history to register more than 400 career tackles ( behind Al Richardson ) , finishing with 418 tackles , including 33 for a loss , 29 quarterback pressures , 14 sacks , eight pass deflections , four forced fumbles , two fumble recoveries and two interceptions . As a freshman ( 1999 ) , James had 41 tackles , three sacks , and one interception . The following year , he recorded 110 tackles and five sacks and was named to the second team All - SEC team . James was also was named the Defensive MVP of the 2000 Peach Bowl . During his junior year , LSU ' s defense was dubbed " the James Gang defense " , a term applied to the unit largely because of his leadership . That year he had 113 tackles and three sacks and was named to the first team All - SEC team . During his college career he played his first three years at weakside linebacker , before moving to the middle as a senior . In his final season at LSU , James was the team captain on defense , recorded 154 tackles ( an LSU single season record ) , three sacks , and one interception . James was awarded All - America n honors and become the first All - American linebacker for LSU since Michael Brooks ( 1985 ) . He also was the first LSU linebacker to achieve first team All - SEC two years in a row since Warren Capone ( first team All - SEC 1972 , 1973 ) . James was named a National Scholar Athlete and a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll . Professional career . Dallas Cowboys . James was drafted in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys . He was the sixth middle / inside linebacker taken , behind Nick Barnett of Oregon State , Kawika Mitchell of South Florida , Gerald Hayes of Pittsburgh , Cie Grant of Ohio State , and Angelo Crowell of Virginia . He backed up Pro Bowl outside linebacker Dexter Coakley in a 4 – 3 defense during his first two seasons in the league , while showing playmaking ability as a special teams performer in 2003 and 2004 . In 2005 , the Cowboys changed to a 3 – 4 defense , allowing him to have a breakout year , while making the transition from special teams player to starting middle linebacker to lead the Cowboys with 109 tackles . In 2008 , James became only the second Cowboys defender ( Eugene Lockhart - 222 in 1989 ) to reach 200 tackles in a season . James was the first player to lead the Cowboys in tackles for more than three straight seasons , eventually reaching a total of six consecutive seasons , the longest streak in franchise history . He also had a streak of 5 straight seasons with at least 100 tackles , that ended after the 2010 season . He only missed two games in his Cowboys career ( because he was deactivated as a rookie ) and dealt each season , with the uncertainty of who would start at the other inside linebacker position , having to play with different teammates that included : Scott Shanle , Akin Ayodele , Zach Thomas , Keith Brooking and Sean Lee . In 2011 with the emergence of Lee , James and Brooking split snaps at the other inside linebacker spot . At the end of the season , the club decided not to resign him , leaving as its sixth career leading tackler . Houston Texans . After the Houston Texans traded DeMeco Ryans to the Philadelphia Eagles , they signed James to a one - year contract on April 12 , 2012 . He started 15 games ( missing one with a hamstring injury ) , finished third on the team in tackles ( 77 ) and called all of the defense ' s signals / audibles . Personal . In 2006 , James was the co - host of " Inside The Huddle " , a one - hour player commentary show that aired live on sports talk radio in Dallas along with quarterback Tony Romo . He is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity . James was married on May 30 , 2009 . Foundation 56 . James established Foundation 56 as a breast cancer outreach program dedicated to providing access to quality services and resources for breast cancer patients and survivors . Foundation 56 is a tribute to Bradie ’ s mother Etta , who died from the disease in 2001 . Bradie often says if there had been the types of services offered because of Foundation 56 his mother would still be alive . The Foundation supports education , mammogram screenings , diagnostic testing and social therapy programs . Twice a year , the Foundation awards grants to organizations committed to effectively promoting awareness of services and resources to breast cancer patients and survivors .