Place of birth Baltimore, MD Name James Parrish | Positions Tackle | |
 | ||
Date of birth (1968-05-19)May 19, 1968 Date of death March 10, 2004(2004-03-10) (aged 35) Died March 10, 2004, Dallas, Texas, United States | ||
James Parrish: Football Offensive Tackle
James Herbert Parrish, Jr. (May 19, 1968 – March 10, 2004) was an American football offensive tackle in the National Football League and a member of the Super Bowl XXVIII champion Dallas Cowboys. He also had stints with the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, the London Monarchs and the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football, and with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes. He played college football at Temple University.
Contents
- James Parrish Football Offensive Tackle
- Early years
- Miami Dolphins
- San Diego Chargers
- San Francisco 49ers first stint
- Indianapolis Colts
- San Francisco second stint
- Dallas Cowboys first stint
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Dallas Cowboys second stint
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- New York Jets
- Personal life
- References
Early years
Parrish attended Dundalk High School, where he played both ways. He was recruited by future NFL head coach Bruce Arians and accepted a scholarship from Temple University.
He was originally a tight end, before being converted into an offensive tackle as a sophomore. He became a starter as a junior.
Miami Dolphins
Parrish was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent after the 1991 NFL draft, with the intention of playing him at guard. On August 20, he was placed on the Physically unable to perform list with an injured foot, where he spent all of the season.
San Diego Chargers
In 1992, he was signed in Plan B free agency by the San Diego Chargers and was switched to center. He was assigned to the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football, before being released on August 31.
San Francisco 49ers (first stint)
On May 3, 1993, he was signed as a free agent by the San Francisco 49ers to play tackle and was cut after the season opener.
Indianapolis Colts
On September 9, 1993, he was signed by the Indianapolis Colts to play tackle. He was released on October 13, after getting into a shouting match with a defensive coach over the injury to a wide receiver in practice.
San Francisco (second stint)
In November 1993, he was signed to the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad and was released two weeks later.
Dallas Cowboys (first stint)
On December 7, 1993, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to the practice squad. On December 22, he was promoted to the active roster for depth purposes, after Mark Stepnoski was lost for the season with a right knee injury. He was a part of the Super Bowl XXVIII winning team. He was released on August 17, 1994.
Philadelphia Eagles
August 23, 1994, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and was released two days later.
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)
In October 1994, he was sgined by the Dallas Cowboys and released after one week.
Pittsburgh Steelers
In 1995, he was signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers and made the team as a reserve tackle. On September 24, against the Minnesota Vikings, he had his only career start, while playing left tackle in place of an injured John Jackson. He was a part of the team that lost to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX. He was cut on August 25, 1996.
New York Jets
On August 29, 1996, he signed with the New York Jets to provide depth at tackle after Jumbo Elliott and David Williams were injured. He was released on October 8.
Personal life
Parrish worked for Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley after his retirement. A self-taught computer expert, he was one of the first athletes to launch his own website. He died of cancer, and is survived by his wife, their two children, his mother and stepfather.