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James Starks
James Starks
from Wikipedia

James Darell Starks (born February 25, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Buffalo Bulls and was selected by the Packers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was a member of their Super Bowl XLV championship team that beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

James attended high school in Niagara Falls, New York, where he played football and ran track. In football, he ran for 1,048 yards and threw for over 600 yards for the Wolverines of Niagara Falls High School while earning All-Western New York honors in his senior season and nomination for The Connolly Cup. He served as a captain for three years. In track & field, Starks was one of the states top performers in the long jump (PR of 7.00 meters), and also recorded an 11.14 100-meter dash time.[citation needed]

Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals.com, Starks's only scholarship offer came from Buffalo, which he accepted.

College career

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Starks attended the University at Buffalo, where he played on the Buffalo Bulls football team from 2006 to 2009. He set a career rushing record with 3,140 yards, and scored 40 total touchdowns. He registered back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons as a sophomore and junior. He was one of the elite backs in the MAC and became the first 1,000-yard rusher in the Bulls’ Division I-A era. He also became the first UB freshman to earn All-MAC recognition in 2006. He earned second-team All-MAC honors as a freshman and sophomore, and was named to the All-MAC first-team as a junior. Starks did not play in his senior season due to a shoulder injury.[1] He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.[2]

College statistics

[edit]
Buffalo Bulls
Year GP Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2006 12 175 704 4.0 54 6 34 226 6.6 30 0
2007 12 251 1,103 4.4 92 12 41 311 7.6 74 2
2008 12 272 1,333 4.9 66 16 52 361 6.9 65 1
Total 36 698 3,140 4.5 92 34 127 898 7.1 74 3
Source: FoxSports.com

Professional career

[edit]
External videos
video icon Starks's NFL Combine workout
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+18 in
(1.88 m)
218 lb
(99 kg)
33+34 in
(0.86 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
4.50 s 1.61 s 2.69 s 4.23 s 6.89 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)
9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)
15 reps
All values are from NFL Combine[3][4]

Starks was selected in the sixth round (193rd overall) by the Green Bay Packers in the 2010 NFL draft.[5] On June 23, 2010, he signed a contract with the Packers.[6] Starks was placed on reserve/physically unable to perform on August 31, 2010.[7] On November 9, 2010, he was activated from the physically unable to perform list.[8] He made his NFL debut on December 5 against the San Francisco 49ers, with 18 carries for 73 yards. On January 9 in the 2011 Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Starks broke the Packers' rookie post-season record for rushing yards in a single game. His first touchdown came against the Chicago Bears in the NFC championship game. On the weekend before the Super Bowl, the Niagara Falls—in his hometown of Niagara Falls, New York—were lit green and gold in his honor. The following Monday, Starks met with Niagara Falls mayor Paul Dyster.[citation needed]

Starks's rookie season finished with a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV in which he rushed for 52 yards on 11 carries.[9] He ended the postseason with the third-most rushing yards for a rookie running back in a single playoffs behind Timmy Smith in 1987 and Jamal Lewis in 2000. Starks' 315 playoff yards in four games was more than triple his total of 101 yards from three games as an active player in the regular season.[10][11]

In the 2011 season, Starks led the Packers in rushing yards with 578. However, Starks utilized a physical style of play which exposed him to injuries. Starks missed three games with an ankle injury that year.[12]

In the 2012 season, Starks was plagued by turf toe in September and a bone bruise in December.[12] By the end of the season, he managed only 71 carries in six games.[13]

Starks lined up at running back for the Packers in 2013

Starks performed adequately in limited action during the 2013 season. On September 15, 2013, against the Washington Redskins, Starks rushed for over 100 yards in a game for the first time in his career. His 132 yards on 20 carries marked the first time a Packers player had topped 100 yards since Brandon Jackson in 2010, also against the Redskins.[14] In the following game, Starks exited with a knee injury and would miss the following three games.[15] Capitalizing on Starks's injuries, Packers rookie running back Eddie Lacy became the team's star running back.[16]

Between various lower body injuries, Starks missed 29 games and played in only 35 in his first four seasons in the NFL.[12]

Prior to the 2014 season, Starks and the Packers agreed on a two-year contract worth $3.165 million with the expectation that he would be the backup to Eddie Lacy.[17] After missing so much time due to injury, Starks adjusted his style of play to be more conservative, evading tackles instead of absorbing or breaking them. As a result, he played the first two full seasons of his career, managing to appear in all 32 games of his two-year contract.[12]

During the 2015 season, starter Eddie Lacy's playing time decreased due to issues with conditioning and his violations of the team's curfew. Lacy's diminished workload and Starks's continued health contributed to Starks receiving four starts during the season and registering career high totals in rushing yards, receiving yards and touchdowns.[12][18]

In March 2016, after visiting with the New England Patriots, Starks, an unrestricted free agent, agreed to a two-year contract to return to the Packers.[18] On October 16, 2016, Starks, who had been second on Green Bay's depth chart behind Eddie Lacy, underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.[19] Starks also dealt with a family death about the same time as the surgery. To compound his 2016 troubles, he was involved in a car crash on December 12, and went into concussion protocol, missing the next game.[20]

On February 7, 2017, Starks was released by the Packers after seven seasons with a non-football injury designation.[21][22]

In 2025, it was announced that Starks would be inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.[23]

NFL career statistics

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS Rushing Receiving Fumbles
Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2010 GB 3 0 29 101 3.5 16 0 2 15 7.5 12 0 0 0
2011 GB 13 2 133 578 4.3 40 1 29 216 7.4 17 0 2 1
2012 GB 6 2 71 255 3.6 22 1 4 31 7.8 9 0 1 0
2013 GB 13 1 89 493 5.5 41 3 10 89 8.9 23 1 1 0
2014 GB 16 0 85 333 3.9 41 2 18 140 7.8 28 0 1 0
2015 GB 16 4 148 601 4.1 65 2 43 392 9.1 30 3 5 3
2016 GB 9 4 63 145 2.3 11 0 19 134 7.1 31 2 1 0
Total 76 13 618 2,506 4.1 65 9 125 1,017 8.1 31 6 11 4
Source: NFL.com

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team GP GS Rushing Receiving Fumbles
Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2010 GB 4 4 81 315 3.9 27 1 3 15 5.0 8 0 0 0
2011 GB 1 0 6 43 7.2 29 0 4 24 6.0 12 0 0 0
2013 GB 1 0 5 29 5.8 10 0 1 13 13.0 13 0 0 0
2014 GB 2 0 10 60 6.0 32 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
2015 GB 2 0 19 76 4.0 22 1 6 16 2.7 6 0 0 0
Total 10 4 121 523 4.3 32 2 15 68 4.5 13 0 0 0
Source: pro-football-reference.com

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
James Starks (born February 25, 1986) is an American former professional football who played seven seasons in the (NFL), primarily for the . Drafted in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the out of the University of Buffalo, where he set school records for rushing yards (3,140) and points scored (222), Starks contributed to the Packers' victory as a , starting in the game and rushing for 52 yards. Over his NFL career, he appeared in 76 games with 17 starts, accumulating 2,506 rushing yards on 618 carries with 9 touchdowns, as well as 1,017 receiving yards on 125 receptions and 6 receiving touchdowns. After retiring from the NFL in 2016 following a career-ending car accident, Starks pursued higher education, earning a Master of Science in Construction Management in 2018 and a certification in Green and Sustainable Building in 2019 from Drexel University, while also completing a sociology degree from Buffalo. He later enrolled in a software engineering program at Drexel and, as of 2023, was pursuing a second master's degree in architecture at Arizona State University. In 2025, he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. Professionally, Starks founded Starks Sustainable Renovations, LLC, focusing on renovating, selling, and renting homes in underserved communities, and has advocated for sustainable building practices and financial planning for athletes transitioning out of sports. Additionally, he joined the Austin chapter of Stewards of the Wild in 2023, participating in mentored hunts and educational programs on conservation and Texas ecosystems to promote ethical hunting and wildlife management.

Early life and education

Family and childhood

James Starks was born on February 25, 1986, in , where he faced immediate health challenges, including a collapsed and heart issues that required medical interventions and machines during his early years. His mother, Lillie Hall, who raised him, often described him as a "blessing" due to his resilience in overcoming these complications, including freak accidents where he stopped breathing as an ; she noted that he was a "chunky baby" whose chest struggled to support his size. These early health struggles persisted into childhood, ultimately necessitating before he could participate in . Starks grew up in a large family with six siblings, including brothers Sanquin and Dale Stewart, and sisters Ebony Starks and Ahmadja Greene, in an environment shaped by his Lillie Hall's guidance and involvement from his , James Starks Sr. His father recalled taking the energetic seven-year-old to , a local community spot in , where Starks fearlessly performed back-flips off high structures, demonstrating early physical prowess and a daring spirit that his parents both nurtured and monitored. Family dynamics emphasized support amid challenges, with Starks later crediting his and brother Sanquin for providing stability during tough times. The socioeconomic conditions of , marked by poverty and limited resources, made childhood difficult for Starks and his siblings, exposing them to urban hazards in a declining . These circumstances fostered a strong sense of community reliance, as the family navigated economic hardships that influenced Starks' early development and later commitment to local programs. At age 12, he discovered his passion for football through local opportunities, marking the beginning of his organized athletic involvement that carried into high school.

High school athletics

James Starks attended Niagara Falls High School in , graduating in 2005, where he emerged as a three-sport standout in football, , and . His versatility across these disciplines highlighted his athletic talent from an early age, supported by his family's encouragement in pursuing competitive sports. In football, Starks primarily played and , serving as team captain for three years and earning All-Western New York honors as a senior. During his senior year in 2004, he rushed for 1,048 yards and threw for over 600 yards, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output. Over his high school career, he registered back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons as a sophomore and junior. Starks also excelled in track and field, establishing himself as one of New York State's top performers in the long jump and 100-meter dash events. In the 2005 Carl J. Roesch Track Classic, he posted a qualifying time of 10.9 seconds in the 100-meter dash, showcasing his speed that complemented his football prowess. Additionally, he served as a key sixth man for the basketball team, which captured the New York State championship in 2005. His multifaceted high school achievements, particularly his dual-sport excellence in football and track, drew recruitment interest from colleges, culminating in his commitment to the to continue his football career.

College career

University of Buffalo

James Starks committed to the University at Buffalo in 2005 after a notable high school career at Niagara Falls High School. He joined the team, initially recruited as a but transitioning to during his tenure from 2006 to 2009. As a true freshman in 2006, Starks saw significant playing time and contributed to the team's offensive efforts, helping establish a foundation for the Bulls' ground game. Starks emerged as the starting running back in 2007, his sophomore year, where he became the first player in the program's Division I-A era (dating back to 1999) to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, totaling 1,103 yards and marking a breakout performance that earned him second-team All-MAC honors. This achievement highlighted his speed and vision, solidifying his role as a key offensive weapon and contributing to the Bulls' improved record of 5-7 that year. In 2008, as a junior, Starks maintained consistency with another strong season, rushing for 1,333 yards and 16 touchdowns, which propelled the team to a 7-6 record and a berth in the International Bowl, while earning first-team All-MAC recognition. His senior year in 2009 was cut short before it began due to a labral tear in his right , requiring and sidelining him for the entire season, which effectively ended his collegiate playing career. Despite the injury, Starks' overall contributions extended beyond the field; he was known for his leadership in the running back room and helped mentor younger players, fostering team cohesion during the Bulls' transition to more competitive play in the . Academically, Starks made steady progress toward his degree while balancing the demands of Division I athletics, though specific details on his coursework remain private.

College statistics

During his three active seasons at the University of Buffalo from 2006 to 2008, James Starks amassed 3,140 rushing yards on 698 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt, and scored 34 rushing touchdowns. He also contributed 898 receiving yards on 127 receptions with 3 receiving touchdowns, bringing his total scrimmage yards to 4,038 and total touchdowns to 37. These figures established him as one of the most productive backs in Bulls history, with his career rushing total ranking third in program history behind Branden Oliver (4,049 yards) and (3,884 yards), as of 2025. Starks' performance evolved markedly across his seasons, transitioning from to full-time and achieving back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing campaigns in 2007 and 2008. The following table summarizes his year-by-year rushing and receiving statistics:
YearGamesRush AttRush YdsYds/AttRush TDRecRec YdsRec TD
2006121757044.06342260
2007122511,1034.412413112
2008122721,3334.916523611
Career366983,1404.5341278983
In 2006, as a freshman, Starks ranked ninth in the (MAC) with 704 rushing yards, earning second-team All-MAC honors while splitting time at . His 2007 season saw him place sixth in the MAC with 1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns, again earning second-team All-MAC recognition and marking Buffalo's first 1,000-yard rusher in the Division I-A era. Starks peaked in 2008, rushing for 1,333 yards (third in the MAC) and 16 touchdowns to secure first-team All-MAC honors and an honorable mention All-American nod, while helping Buffalo win its first MAC championship. He sat out the 2009 season due to a labral tear in his shoulder sustained in spring practice.

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

James Starks was selected by the in the sixth round, 193rd overall, of the out of the . As a late-round pick, he entered the league with low expectations but quickly found a niche in a backfield led by Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson. In his rookie season of 2010, Starks served primarily as a , appearing in just three regular-season games after missing the first 13 due to a hamstring injury sustained in . However, injuries to other backs elevated his role during the Packers' playoff run, where he contributed significantly, including starting in against the . In that championship game, which the Packers won 31-25, Starks recorded 11 carries for 52 yards, providing key runs that helped maintain offensive balance. His emergence as a reliable option was instrumental in Green Bay's postseason success, culminating in their first victory since 1996. Starks' tenure peaked in subsequent years, particularly as a spot starter amid ongoing backfield rotations. In 2012, he appeared in six games with two starts, rushing for 255 yards on 71 carries at an average of 3.6 yards per attempt, offering burst and vision when called upon. His most productive season came in 2015, when he achieved career highs of 601 rushing yards on 148 carries (4.1 yards per carry) and three receiving touchdowns on 43 catches for 392 yards, serving as a complementary piece to in Green Bay's zone-running scheme. These performances underscored his versatility as a runner and pass-catcher, contributing to the Packers' division title and another playoff appearance that year. Throughout his seven seasons with the Packers from 2010 to 2016, Starks amassed 2,506 rushing yards and supported five playoff berths, including the 2010 triumph and NFC Championship appearances in 2014 and 2016. His role as a depth player who stepped up in critical moments exemplified the Packers' emphasis on roster flexibility, helping sustain a potent offense under .

Injuries and release

Starks' NFL career was significantly hampered by recurring injuries, particularly to his lower body, which limited his availability and effectiveness during his tenure with the . In his rookie 2010 season, a injury sidelined him for the first 13 games, preventing him from contributing until late in the year. The following year, 2011, brought a and ankle injury that caused him to miss three games, further disrupting his development as a . These challenges persisted into 2012 and 2013, with turf toe in September 2012 forcing him to miss five games and a subsequent bone bruise limiting his play in December of that year. A in 2013 resulted in four more missed games, contributing to Starks absent from 29 of his first 64 regular-season contests over his initial four seasons. Despite these setbacks, Starks had shown flashes of his potential in high-stakes playoff games, such as his 2010 postseason debut where he rushed for 123 yards against . The 2016 season proved particularly devastating, as Starks underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee in mid-October, causing him to miss four games and restricting him to just 63 carries for 145 yards upon his return. Later that year, on December 12, a car accident left him with a , placing him in the NFL's protocol and preventing any further participation in games. These injuries culminated in limited production, as Starks averaged a career-low 2.3 yards per carry that season. On February 7, 2017, the Packers released Starks with a non-football injury designation tied to the unresolved effects, ending his seven-year stint with the team after signing a two-year, $6 million extension the prior offseason. In the immediate aftermath, Starks expressed gratitude to the organization via , thanking teammates and coaches while affirming his intent to continue his playing career elsewhere, stating, "It's not over." He later echoed this determination in interviews, noting his desire to sign with another team despite the physical toll of his injury history.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

James Starks played in 76 regular season games over his career from 2010 to 2016, all with the , accumulating 2,506 rushing yards on 618 carries with 9 rushing touchdowns, as well as 1,017 receiving yards on 125 receptions with 6 receiving touchdowns. His career averaged 4.1 yards per carry, reflecting efficient but limited usage as a , and he lost possession on 11 fumbles during regular season play. Starks' role primarily involved spelling primary rushers such as Ryan Grant early in his career and later on, often contributing as a change-of-pace back with receiving skills from the backfield. Injuries occasionally impacted his availability, reducing his snap counts in certain seasons. He reached his performance peak in 2015, rushing for 601 yards and catching passes for 392 yards, showcasing his versatility in a contract year. The following table summarizes Starks' year-by-year regular season rushing and receiving statistics:
YearTeamGamesRush AttRush YdsRush TDRecRec YdsRec TD
2010GNB32910102150
2011GNB131335781292160
2012GNB67125514310
2013GNB1389493310891
2014GNB16853332181400
2015GNB161486012433923
2016GNB9631450191342
Career-766182,50691251,0176
Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

Postseason

James Starks appeared in 10 postseason games during his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, all as a running back providing depth and occasional starting duties. Over these contests, he recorded 121 rushing attempts for 523 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, along with 15 receptions for 68 receiving yards. These totals rank him third in franchise postseason rushing yardage history. Starks' most prominent postseason contributions came during the 2010 playoffs, where the rookie stepped up amid injuries to the Packers' backfield and rushed for a playoff-high 315 yards across four games. In the Wild Card victory over the , he set a franchise rookie playoff record with 123 rushing yards on 23 carries, helping establish a balanced offensive attack. He followed with 66 yards on 25 carries against the in the Divisional Round, 74 yards and his first playoff touchdown versus the in the NFC Championship, and 52 yards on 11 carries in , contributing to Green Bay's 31-25 win over the for their 13th league title. In the 2015 playoffs, Starks supported the Packers' Wild Card triumph over the Washington Redskins with 53 rushing yards and a on 12 carries, plus 12 receiving yards on 2 catches for 65 all-purpose yards, before adding 23 rushing yards and 4 receiving yards in the Divisional Round loss to the . Throughout his postseason tenure, including appearances in 2011, 2013, and 2014, Starks played a clutch role in maintaining run-game efficiency during high-stakes games, offering reliability that complemented quarterback ' passing and aided Green Bay's multiple deep playoff pushes.

Post-NFL life

Further education and career

Following his 2016 car accident, which resulted in a that contributed to the end of his career, James Starks sought a stable professional path beyond football. The incident prompted him to pivot toward , a field inspired by his childhood experiences assisting his father with home-improvement projects, allowing him to build a sustainable career focused on community impact. Starks enrolled in Drexel University's online Master of Science program in Construction Management while still playing in the NFL, completing the degree in 2018 with a concentration in project management. He later earned a certification in Green and Sustainable Building from Drexel in 2019, enhancing his expertise in eco-friendly practices. He subsequently enrolled in a software engineering program at Drexel University. As of 2023, he was pursuing a second master's degree in architecture at Arizona State University. In his post-NFL career, Starks founded Starks Sustainable Renovations, LLC, in , where he acquires, renovates, and rents or sells residential properties in the Austin real estate market, emphasizing for underserved communities. His projects prioritize sustainable renovations, aligning with his , and he aims to expand into homebuilding under the Starks brand. Reflecting on the transition, Starks has noted the challenges of adjusting from the NFL's structure, where "everything is given to you," to independent real-world responsibilities, crediting his return to for easing the shift and fostering greater work-life balance through purposeful, community-oriented work.

Community involvement and honors

Post-retirement, Starks has remained active in community initiatives, particularly in supporting youth and conservation efforts. His success with the had a broader impact on his hometown, celebrating his role as a local . That same year, honored him with the key to the city and declared a day in his recognition. As a Packers alumnus, Starks participated in the team's 2022 , a philanthropic tour across that included visits to high schools, autograph sessions, and fundraising events for local charities, such as Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, to support veterans and community programs. In , where he resides post-retirement, Starks joined the Austin Chapter of Stewards of the Wild in 2023, a program by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation that promotes and conservation through mentored experiences; he attended his first such event, harvesting and learning field skills under guidance, expressing commitment to further involvement in environmental stewardship. He has also continued to support his alma maters, High School and the , through attendance at events and ongoing advocacy for educational opportunities in his community. Starks' contributions have earned him several prestigious honors. In 2011, he received the key to in a ceremony highlighting his inspirational influence. He was inducted into the Niagara Falls High School Athletic Hall of Fame in February 2023, recognizing his standout high school career and lifelong ties to the community. Later that year, he entered the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz Family UB Athletics Hall of Fame for his record-setting performance as a . In 2025, Starks was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, further cementing his legacy as a Niagara Falls native who excelled in football while giving back to the region.

References

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