Dick James (May 22, 1934 – June 28, 2000) was a talented and athletic football player for the University of Oregon and several NFL teams.
James was a three-sport star at Grants Pass High School. He led the football team to the 1951 OSAA championship playing both halfback and defensive back. On the hardwood, he was known as the "Basketball King". The Cavemen played in the 1950 AAA basketball final. He was also a talented outfielder on the diamond who had a chance to play professional baseball.
James was a four-sport athlete at UO. Despite only being five-foot nine-inches tall, James was an excellent two-way football player. Between 1953 & 1954, James led the team in scoring both years and receiving and rushing once each. Defensively, he was a national leader in interceptions. James also played baseball and basketball and ran track for the Ducks.
Football was his sport of choice for a professional career; he was the 8th round choice of the Washington Redskins in the 1956 NFL draft. Dick played eight seasons, again on both sides of the ball for the Redskins. His impact was immediate, Redskins Rookie of the Year. On offense, he set a team record, scoring four touchdowns in one game and was selected for the 1961 Pro Bowl. James also played for the NY Giants and Dallas Cowboys before retiring in 1965.
James' athletic prowess showed up everywhere, he mastered every sport he took up; softball, golf, bowling, racquetball and gymnastics. He was famous for walking on his hands up and down stairs.
Retirement from football did not mean retirement from life. Dick worked as a sportscaster in DC, sold insurance and coached a semi-pro football team before returning to Oregon in 1975. He continued to be active in NFL charities and coached the football and baseball teams at Rogue River High School
Dick James was part of the inaugural class of the University of Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Grants Pass High School Hall of Fame. He name is also on the Redskins Ring of Fame.