James Whalen (American football)
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| Position: | Tight end | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | December 11, 1977 Portland, Oregon, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 244 lb (111 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | La Salle (Milwaukie, Oregon) | ||||||||
| College: | Kentucky | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2000 / Round: 5 / Pick: 157 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||
James Patrick Whalen Jr. (born December 11, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, earning consensus All-American honors in 1999.
Early years
Whalen attended La Salle High School in Milwaukie, Oregon. As a sophomore, he became a starter at wide receiver. He posted a combined 75 receptions for 1,300 yards and 25 touchdowns in his second and third years, earning All-league honors each season.
As a senior, he helped his team win the league championship, while finishing with 68 catches for 1,502 yards and 18 touchdowns, receiving Tri-Valley League Player of the Year and All-state honors. He was a second-team All-state basketball selection at forward as a senior. He also lettered as a third baseman and pitcher in baseball.[1]
College career
Whalen moved on to Shasta College, where he had one undistinguished season with 19 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown. The next year, he walked on at the University of Kentucky, after showing head coach Hal Mumme a highlight video tape made by his mother.
As a sophomore, he had 7 receptions for 66 yards. The next year, he was converted from wide receiver to tight end, recording 23 receptions for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns.
As a senior he had a breakout season, being recognized as a consensus first-team
In 2016, he was named a Kentucky SEC Football Legend.
Professional career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Whalen was selected by the
Dallas Cowboys
On August 30, 2000, the Dallas Cowboys signed Whalen to their practice squad and promoted him to the active roster on December 5, for the last 3 games of the season.
The next year, he was allocated to the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe, where he led the league in receptions (66) and also had 691 receiving yards (second in the league) and 3 touchdowns. In 2001, he was declared inactive for the season opener. On September 22, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a strained right Achilles.[4]
In
Cincinnati Bengals
On July 28, 2004, the Cincinnati Bengals signed him as a free agent. He was cut on September 5.[5]
Philadelphia Eagles
On February 22, 2005, he was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles to compete for a backup tight end position. He was released on August 28.[6]
References
- ^ "Walk-on fulfills American dream". The Enquirer. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "James Whalen Named Kentucky's SEC Football Legend". University of Kentucky. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "2000 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
- ^ "Transactions". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "NFL Transactions". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "NFL Transactions". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
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