James Casey (American football)

James Byron Casey (born September 22, 1984) is a former American football tight end and fullback who is the tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft and has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Rice University and played baseball and football at Azle High School.

James Casey

Casey in 2022.
Cincinnati Bengals
Position:	Tight ends coach
Personal information
Born:	(1984-09-22) September 22, 1984 (age 38) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:	Azle (TX)
College:	Rice
NFL Draft:	2009 / Round: 5 / Pick: 152
Career history
As a player:
Houston Texans (2009–2012) Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2014) Denver Broncos (2015)
As a coach:
Houston (2016) Offensive assistant Houston (2017–2018) Tight ends coach Cincinnati Bengals (2019−present) Tight ends coach
Career highlights and awards
4 NCAA Division I tight end records
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 72 Receiving yards: 872 Receiving touchdowns: 6
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Personal life

Casey lost his mother at the age of 16, when a fire burned their home. He was only left with his backpack and the clothes he was wearing. He received support from citizens of Azle, Texas, who provided clothes, shelter and money to further his studies and his athletic career. He lived in various locations, with his older sister for a while, with his future wife’s family, with the trainer at Azle High School.

Casey is married to his high school sweetheart, Kylie, and has two sons with her.^[1]

Baseball career

Casey was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the seventh round of the 2003 MLB Draft.^[2] He played in the White Sox organization for three years before retiring after 2006 to pursue a career in football.

College career

After retiring from baseball Casey chose to play college football at Rice University. As a freshman in 2007 Casey started four of 12 games recording 46 receptions for 585 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 144 rushing yards on 45 carries and five touchdowns as a running back and completed two of seven passes for 32 yards and an interception as a quarterback. He also played seven different positions in a game against Southern Mississippi.

As a sophomore in 2008 Casey started all 13 games at tight end earning third-team All-American and first-team All-Conference USA honors. He finished the season setting a single-season school record for receptions with 111 for 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also added 241 rushing yards on 57 carries and six touchdowns and completed two of five passes for five yards. Casey ended his collegiate career with NCAA tight end records for most passes caught in a season, most passes caught per game in a season, most yards gained in a season, and most yards per game in a season.^[3]

After his sophomore year Casey announced that he would enter the 2009 NFL Draft.^[4]

Casey graduated from Rice with a triple major in Economics, Sports Management, and Managerial Studies and a 3.84 GPA.

Professional career

 

Casey at the Texans 2010 training camp.

Houston Texans

Casey was drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.^[5] In his first game as starter, Casey caught three passes for 29 yards, but did not record a carry. In 2011, Casey was named the Texans starting fullback.

Philadelphia Eagles

Casey signed a three-year, $14.6 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 12, 2013.^[6][7] Casey was released by the Eagles on February 19, 2015.^[8]

Denver Broncos

Casey signed a one-year deal with the Broncos on April 11, 2015. He was reunited with his former Texans head coach, Gary Kubiak.

On October 9, 2015, Casey was released from the Broncos to make room for Derek Wolfe, who came off a four-game suspension.

Coaching career

University of Houston

On January 13, 2016, it was announced that Casey had joined the coaching staff of the Houston Cougars football team as an offensive analyst.^[9]

On December 22, 2016, was promoted to tight ends coach under new Houston head coach, Major Applewhite.^[10]

Cincinnati Bengals

On February 7, 2019 Casey was hired by the Bengals to be their tight ends coach.

References

1. "Justice: Texans' Casey takes inspiring path to degree". May 13, 2011.
2. 2003 Draft: Chicago White Sox
3. "2013 Football Bowl Subdivision Records" (PDF). NCAA. p. 9. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
4. Southern Miss' McRath, Rice's Casey leave for NFL^{[permanent dead link]}
5. "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
6. Eagles add James Casey
7. Monday Morning Quarterback. King, Peter. 2013 Mar 18.
8. Wilkening, Mike (February 19, 2015). "Eagles release James Casey". profootballtalk.com. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
9. James Casey reunites with Tom Herman on the University of Houston coaching staff by Joseph Duarte. Houston Chronicle, January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
10. "Major Applewhite hires UH football assistants". December 22, 2016.

External links

• James Casey on Twitter  
• Rice Owls bio
• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)