Craig James also played on one of the SMU teams involved in the team’s football scandal, and in 2012 he admitted he received gifts while playing at the school. After graduating, he was drafted by the Washington Federals in the inaugural draft of the USFL, and was also selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 1983 NFL Draft. After one season with the Federals, James joined the Patriots in 1984 and remained there throughout his career, until 1988. His career was plagued with injuries, and he finished five seasons in New England with 2,469 rushing yards, 819 receiving yards, and 13 total touchdowns. After retiring, James has worked as a radio analyst for SMU college football games, the sports anchor for KDFW-TV, a studio analyst for ESPN, CBS and ABC. He announced in 2011 that he was leaving ESPN to run for the United States Senate, a campaign he lost in 2012.