James Otis Graham, better known as Scottie, (born March 28, 1969) is a former professional football player who played running back for six seasons in the
National Football League (NFL) with the
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The J ...
(1992), the
Minnesota Vikings (1993–1996), and the
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati. The Bengals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The c ...
(1997).
Career
Graham attended
Long Beach High School in
Long Beach, New York
Long Beach is an oceanfront Administrative divisions of New York#City, city in Nassau County, New York, Nassau County in New York (state), New York, United States. It takes up a central section of the Long Beach Barrier Island, which is the weste ...
, where he was a high school All-American in three sports: football, wrestling and lacrosse. He continued his football career with a full scholarship to The Ohio State University, lettering four years and starting three years as running back. Senior year, Scottie was elected team captain by his peers.
Graham continued his graduate studies during the off-season and received his master's degree in Black Studies at Ohio State during his fourth year with the Minnesota Vikings. In 1993, Graham certainly climbed through the ranks to make a name for himself, finishing the season as Minnesota's leading rusher, and by the end of December, his 448 yards placed him 16th in the NFC with zero fumbles. In one two game stretch, Scottie rushed for 139 yards against the Green Bay Packers and the following week, rushed for 166 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. These 305 total rushing yards during two games were the most ever by a Viking running back in a two-game stretch.
Currently entering his 13th year with the NFL Players Association in Washington, D.C., Graham began his career as a Regional Director with the trade association; however, he moved to the commercial subsidiary NFL PLAYERS to directly engage players with business partners, as the Director of Player Marketing and Engagement.
References
1969 births
Living people
American football running backs
Cincinnati Bengals players
Long Beach High School (New York) alumni
Minnesota Vikings players
New York Jets players
Ohio State Buckeyes football players
People from Long Beach, New York
Players of American football from New York (state)
Sportspeople from Nassau County, New York
Ed Block Courage Award recipients
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