James Bradberry facts for kids
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Bradberry with the New York Giants in 2021
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||||||
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | August 4, 1993 Pleasant Grove, Alabama, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Pleasant Grove | ||||||||||||||
| College: |
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| NFL Draft: | 2016 / Round: 2 / Pick: 62 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||||
James Bradberry IV, born on August 4, 1993, is an American professional football player. He plays as a cornerback, which is a defensive position in football. James played college football for the Samford Bulldogs. The Carolina Panthers picked him in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He has also played for the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Growing Up: James Bradberry's Early Life
James Bradberry was born in August 1993 in Pleasant Grove, Alabama. He played football for Pleasant Grove High's Spartans team for three years. On the Spartans, James played both cornerback and safety. He was tall, at 6 feet 1 inch, and weighed 180 pounds. James was also a two-sport athlete, playing varsity basketball.
In 2010, during his senior year in football, James made nine interceptions and 45 tackles. He earned special honors like all-metro and first team all-state. He was also a team captain for the Spartans. James was a good student too, being part of the National Honor Society.
College Football Journey
After finishing high school in 2010, James Bradberry went to Arkansas State University in 2011. He was a defensive back there for his freshman year in 2011 and also in 2012.
James then moved to Samford University and joined the Bulldogs for the 2012 season. He became a starting cornerback and played in all 11 games. In his first season, he made 32 tackles and had two interceptions. Because of his great performance, James was named to the 2012 Southern Conference All-Freshman team.
In 2013, James started in 12 of 13 games. He had 26 tackles, two interceptions, and broke up 10 passes. For the 2014 season, he started all 11 games, finishing with 25 tackles. He studied sports administration while at Samford.
Professional Football Career
James Bradberry was chosen by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was the 62nd player picked overall and the tenth cornerback chosen that year. He was one of three cornerbacks the Panthers drafted in 2016. James was only the seventh player from Samford University to be drafted into the NFL since 1967.
Playing for the Carolina Panthers (2016–2019)
Starting His NFL Journey in 2016
On May 10, 2016, James signed a four-year contract with the Carolina Panthers. It was worth about $3.96 million. During training camp, James competed for a starting cornerback spot. The head coach, Ron Rivera, named James and Bené Benwikere as the starting cornerbacks.
James played his first professional game on September 8, 2016, against the Denver Broncos. He made six tackles and broke up a pass. In Week 2, he made his first career interception against the San Francisco 49ers. In October 2016, James got injured during a game against the Atlanta Falcons. He missed the next three games because of a foot injury. When he returned, he became the main starting cornerback for the Panthers.
On January 1, 2017, James made six tackles and intercepted a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished his first season with 59 tackles, ten pass deflections, and two interceptions in 13 games. He was considered the top rookie cornerback by Pro Football Focus.
2017 Season Highlights
In June 2017, James broke his wrist during team practices but recovered quickly. He and Daryl Worley were named the starting cornerbacks for the season. On October 12, 2017, James recorded his first career sack on quarterback Carson Wentz during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In Week 14, he intercepted a pass against the Minnesota Vikings. The next week, he intercepted another pass against the Green Bay Packers. He finished the 2017 season with 85 tackles, ten pass deflections, two interceptions, and one sack in 16 games. The Carolina Panthers made it to the playoffs that year. James played in his first playoff game on January 7, 2018, against the New Orleans Saints.
2018 Season Performance
In 2018, James became the main starting cornerback for the Panthers, playing alongside rookie Donte Jackson. On October 7, 2018, he made eight tackles and broke up two passes against the New York Giants. In Week 12, he made his first sack of the season on quarterback Russell Wilson.
On December 17, 2018, James had his only interception of the season against the New Orleans Saints. He played in all 16 games during the 2018 season. He finished with 70 tackles, one sack, one interception, and a team-leading 15 pass deflections.
2019 Season Overview
James continued as the top starting cornerback for the Panthers in 2019. On September 8, 2019, he intercepted a pass against the Los Angeles Rams. On October 13, 2019, James had one of his best games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He made 11 tackles, broke up four passes, and had a career-high two interceptions.
He missed a game in Week 9 due to a groin injury, which ended his streak of 49 straight starts. James finished the 2019 season with 65 tackles, 12 passes defended, three interceptions, and one sack in 15 games.
Joining the New York Giants (2020–2021)
2020 Season and Pro Bowl Selection
On March 16, 2020, the New York Giants signed James Bradberry to a three-year contract worth $43.50 million. He became the main starting cornerback for the Giants. In Week 2, James made his first interception with the Giants against the Chicago Bears.
In December 2020, he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list but was cleared to play again soon after. He finished the 2020 season with 54 tackles, 18 passes defended, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Because of his excellent performance, James was selected for his first Pro Bowl in 2021. He was also ranked 74th among the top 100 players in the NFL by his fellow players.
2021 Season Performance
In 2021, James Bradberry continued as the main starting cornerback for the Giants. On September 16, 2021, he intercepted a pass against the Washington Football Team. On January 2, 2022, James had a career-high with his fourth interception of the season against the Chicago Bears. He started all 17 games in the 2021 season. He finished with 47 tackles, 17 passes defended, a career-high four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
In May 2022, the New York Giants released James Bradberry.
Playing for the Philadelphia Eagles (2022–2024)
2022 Season and Super Bowl Appearance
On May 18, 2022, the Philadelphia Eagles signed James Bradberry to a one-year contract worth $7.25 million. He joined the Eagles as a starting cornerback. On September 11, 2022, James made his debut with the Eagles against the Detroit Lions. He made his first career touchdown by returning an interception 27 yards.
In Week 3, he made five tackles against the Washington Commanders. In Week 6, he broke up four passes against the Dallas Cowboys. He started all 17 games in 2022, finishing with 44 tackles, 17 passes defended, three interceptions, and one touchdown.
The Philadelphia Eagles had a great 2022 season, winning their division and making it to the playoffs. On January 21, 2023, James had an interception against the New York Giants in the Divisional Round. The Eagles then won the NFC Championship Game and advanced to Super Bowl LVII.
On February 12, 2023, James started in Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles lost a close game, 38–35. Near the end of the game, James was called for a holding penalty. After the game, he admitted that the call was correct.
2023 Season and Contract Extension
On March 15, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles signed James Bradberry to a new three-year contract extension worth $38 million. In the 2023 season, James started 16 games. He had 54 tackles, one interception, 13 passes defended, and one forced fumble.
2024 Season and Super Bowl Champion
Before the 2024 season, James Bradberry suffered a leg injury in practice. He later shared that he had torn his Achilles and Soleus muscle. Despite his injury, James became a Super Bowl champion when the Eagles defeated the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, 40–22. This win was special as it avenged their loss to the Chiefs two years prior.
In March 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles released James Bradberry.
Personal Life
On April 5, 2024, James Bradberry's high school jersey number 10 was retired in a special ceremony at Pleasant Grove High.
