Former Hurricane Edgerrin James To Be Inducted Into NFL Hall Of Fame

It was quite the week for both the Hurricanes football program, and the city of Miami. Fox Sports did a special with former Miami players, Ed Reed was hired as the chief of staff for UM, and to cap it all off, Hard Rock Stadium hosted the Super Bowl.

In addition to all that, former Hurricane running back Edgerrin James learned that he was going to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

James spent 11 seasons in the NFL, playing for the Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals and one year with the Seattle Seahawks. He was the 1999 AFC Rookie of the Year, and was instrumental in turning around the Colts franchise, along with Peyton Manning and other superstars on that offense.

He’s 13th all-time on the NFL career list with 12,246 rushing yards, and 2020 was his fourth year being a finalist for the Hall of Fame.

James was a stud running back for the Hurricanes from 1996 to 1998. Most people remember James’ performance in 1998 against UCLA, when Edge rushed for a school record 299 yards in Miami’s 49-45 upset win. James is third in UM career rushing yards behind Ottis Anderson and Duke Johnson.

James will be the ninth Hurricane to be inducted into the Hall of Fame; along with Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Warren Sapp, Jim Otto, Ted Hendricks, Jim Kelly, Cortez Kennedy and Michael Irvin. 2020 will also be the third consecutive year someone from UM is inducted (Lewis in 2018, Reed in 2019).

Another member of the 2020 class for the Hall of Fame is Jimmy Johnson, who coached the Canes from 1984 to 1988, capturing the 1987 national championship. Johnson left Miami to become head coach for the Dallas Cowboys, where he won two Super Bowls. JJ is still beloved by UM fans everywhere.

Fellow former Miami great Reggie Wayne was also a finalist in his first year of eligibility, though he did not make the cut.

Congratulations to Edge and also coach Johnson!