On The Edge: “I Was Never All About Football Anyway”

PHOENIX- On Sunday the look said it all. As Tim Hightower roared into what appears to be a firm grasp on his role as starting runningback, the Arizona Cardinals seemed less and less interested in what former fantasy football star Edgerrin James had to say.

In the first quarter James was talking to Hightower, presumably to help the younger running back out, but Hightower seemed to disregard James and the advice by brushing his hand over his hair dismissively. Before the half James tried to talk to running backs coach Lamp Berenson only to be “shushed” by him half way through his sentence.

After coming out from the tunnel at the beginning of the third quarter James began jawing with teammates, and one by one they left the bench where James was sitting, instead choosing to stand on the sidelines until James sat alone talking to himself. On a critical play by Hightower in the fourth quarter James yelled with exuberance only to find coach Whisenhut staring him in the face, and making a motion to seal his lips in silence.

It is a sad ending in a way for a man who personified the very best of what a running back could do. He could run, he could catch, he blocked. He was self-less. Carrying the ball for the Indianapolis Colts, James was a superstar not only on the field but off. He was prized in fantasy football circles as a ‘keeper for life’. People would not accept any other player in a trade. After his move to Arizona it has never been close to being the same.

“I spite my coach, spite the players, spite the fans, and even the region. My spite for Tim Hightower is the most. That guy should not be pushing me off the field. A lot of you might be laughing, but all I can say is I laughed all the way to the bank,” James said of his career. “I’m good, real good. Heck, if you think I was all about football in the first place you’re a fool. I never liked it. I always saw it as a stepping stone for my eventual plans of opening a Patisserie in Portland. Now, how many of you know someone who can open up a place that on their own in this economy? Yeah, well I can busters. I’m tellin’ you I’m all good.”

And with that James left his locker, jersey hanging over the door, and walked towards the exit.

There has been no date set for the opening of Edge-isserie in the PDX. Plans to franchise it are forthcoming.

Photo Courtesy Icon SMI