James Dearth

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James Dearth
James Dearth cropped.jpg
Dearth with the New York Jets in 2009
No. 88, 85
Position: Long snapper, tight end
Personal information
Born: (1976-01-22) January 22, 1976 (age 49)
Fort Ord, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school: Scurry-Rosser (Scurry, Texas)
College: Tarleton State
NFL draft: 1999: 6th round, 191st overall
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:146
Receptions:3
Receiving yards:10
Receiving touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

James Dearth (born January 22, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was a long snapper in the National Football League (NFL). Dearth played college football for the Tarleton State Texans and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL draft.

Contents

He was also a member of the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots.

Early life

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.

Professional career

Cleveland Browns

Dearth was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 1999 NFL draft. [1] He signed with the team on July 22, and was released on September 3. [2] He was signed to Cleveland's practice squad on November 23. [2] Dearth was promoted to the active roster on December 14 and played in the final two regular season games for the Browns that season. [2] [3] He was released on April 18, 2000. [2]

Tennessee Titans

Dearth signed with the Tennessee Titans on July 15, 2000. [2] He was released on August 22, and later signed to the Titans' practice squad on November 8, 2000. [2] He became a free agent after the 2000 season. [2]

New York Jets

In 2001, the New York Jets signed Dearth as a tight end/long snapper. [4] 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. [4] [5]

Washington Redskins

On August 14, 2010, Dearth signed with the Washington Redskins. [6] [7] Dearth was expected to compete with the "inconsistent" Nick Sundberg. [6] 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. [8] [9]

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers signed Dearth on September 15, 2010, after a hamstring injury saw long snapper David Binn placed on injured reserve. [10] Two days later on September 17, 2010, Dearth suffered a foot injury during practice and was subsequently placed on injured reserve before playing a game for the Chargers. [11] [12]

New England Patriots

Dearth signed with the New England Patriots on August 29, 2011. [13] He was released on September 4. [14]

Personal

Dearth is married to his wife, Laurie, with whom he has three children, Kaitlyn, Kendall, and Kolton. [4] Dearth, a devout Christian, is known to be a "low-key and cordial" person. [4]

Dearth used to co-own an Athletic Republic franchise in the Houston area with friend and former Jets running back Derrick Blaylock. [4] The facility opened in December 2009 aiming to help young athletes prepare for professional careers. [4]

References

  1. ↑ "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "James Dearth". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  3. ↑ "James Dearth 1999 Game Log". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Waszak Jr., Dennis (June 4, 2010). "With no offers, former Jets LS James Dearth facing possibility that NFL career is over". Washington Examiner. Retrieved October 3, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ Cimini, Rich (February 5, 2010). "The end of the Dearth era?". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on February 9, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  6. 1 2 "Report: Redskins sign James Dearth". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 14, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  7. ↑ Castillo, Jorge (August 15, 2010). "Long snapper James Dearth joins Redskins". Redskins Insider. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  8. ↑ Fitzgerald, Gary (August 31, 2010). "Redskins Release Williams, Holmes, Dearth, Davis". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  9. ↑ Svrluga, Barry (August 31, 2010). "Edwin Williams, James Dearth to be cut from roster". Redskins Insider. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  10. ↑ Georgatos, Dennis J. (September 15, 2010). "Chargers Lose Long Snapper David Binn for Season; Sign James Dearth". AOL FanHouse. Retrieved October 3, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. ↑ Wilson, Aaron (September 17, 2010). "Chargers place long snapper James Dearth on IR, sign Ryan Neill". National Football Post. Archived from the original on September 20, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  12. ↑ Williamson, Bill (September 28, 2010). "Chargers lose another snapper". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Patriots tap Jets pipeline with Dearth". ESPN.com . August 29, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  14. ↑ Knopping, Greg (September 4, 2011). "Patriots Sign Former Chiefs Guard Brian Waters". Pats Pulpit. SB Nation. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
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