Bradie James

Bradie James of Fairview, Texas, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from LSU’s College of Arts & Sciences, now known as the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, in 2003. He established himself as a business leader both independently and when leading a team, developing skills as a National Scholar athlete and All-American linebacker at LSU, then as team captain for the Dallas Cowboys. He is a retired linebacker in the National Football League, through which he played for the Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Following a 10-year professional football career, James applied his leadership skills to the business world and helped establish The Trust, an NFL Players Association program that assists former players with the transition out of professional football. Additional business activities include being a multi-unit, multi-brand restaurant owner and serving on several boards.

James is founder of Bradie James Foundation 56 (created in memory of his mother), which supports education, mammogram screenings, diagnostic testing and social therapy programs for breast cancer patients and survivors. At LSU, he was the second player ever to register more than 400 career tackles, was Defensive MVP of the 2000 Peach Bowl, and was the first LSU linebacker since 1972 to achieve All-SEC honors two years in a row. James was the first player to lead the Cowboys in tackles for more than three straight seasons; he led in this area for six consecutive years, the longest streak in franchise history. James was the 2010 Recipient of the POTUS National Service Award, was LSU Alumni Association’s 2012 Young Alumnus of the Year, is a member of LSU’s National Diversity Advisory Board and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and is a 2019 inductee of the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame.