![]() Dearth with the New York Jets | |||||||||||
No. 88, 85 | |||||||||||
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Position: | Long snapper | ||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||
Born: | Fort Ord, California, U.S. | January 22, 1976||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||
Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||
High school: | Scurry-Rosser | ||||||||||
College: | Tarleton State | ||||||||||
NFL draft: | 1999: 6th round, 191st pick | ||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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James Dearth (born January 22, 1976) is a former American football long snapper. Dearth, who attended Tarleton State University, was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL draft.
He has also been a member of the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots.
Dearth attended Scurry-Rosser High School in Scurry, Texas and was a student and a letterman in football. In football, he was a starter at both, quarterback and middle linebacker, and was an All-State honoree at both positions.
Dearth was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 1999 NFL draft. [2]
In 2001, the Jets would sign the free agent Dearth as a tight end/long snapper. [3] In that same year he recorded a career-high three receptions and a touchdown. Following the season, Dearth was relegated to long snapping duties and was a consistent part of the Jets' special teams unit until he became a free agent and was replaced by Tanner Purdum following the 2009 season. [3] [4]
On August 14, 2010, Dearth would sign with the Washington Redskins. [5] [6] Dearth was expected to compete with the "inconsistent" Nick Sundberg. [5] Despite Sundberg's inconsistencies he slowly progressed throughout training camp and eventually Dearth was waived on August 31, 2010, in favor of the improved Sundberg. [7] [8]
The San Diego Chargers signed Dearth on September 15, 2010, after a hamstring injury saw long snapper David Binn placed on injured reserve. [9] Two days later on September 17, 2010, Dearth suffered a foot injury during practice and would subsequently be placed on injured reserve before playing a game for the Chargers. [10] [11]
Dearth signed with the New England Patriots on August 29, 2011. [12] He was released on September 4. [13]
Dearth is married to his wife, Laurie, with whom he has three children, Kaitlyn, Kendall, and Kolton. [3] Dearth, a devout Christian, is known to be a "low-key and cordial" person. [3]
Dearth used to co-own an Athletic Republic franchise in the Houston area with friend and former Jets running back Derrick Blaylock. [3] The facility opened in December 2009 aiming to help young athletes prepare for professional careers. [3]