James Thornton is a former American football

American football

American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

 cornerback

Cornerback

A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...

. He most recently was on the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

 in 2005. He was a three-year captain

Captain (sports)

In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...

 at Morris Brown College

Morris Brown College

Morris Brown College is a private, coed, liberal arts college located in the Vine City community of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is a historically black college affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church...

 where he recorded 35 tackles

Tackle (football move)

Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....

, 4 interceptions

Interception (football)

An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...

 and returned 3 of his 4 interceptions (INT) for touchdown

Touchdown

A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...

s in addition to 3 blocked kicks

Kick (football)

Kicking is a method used by many types of football, including:* Association football* Australian rules football* International rules football* American football* Canadian football* Gaelic football* Rugby league* Rugby union...

 as a senior. He originally signed by the Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

 as an undrafted rookie

Rookie

Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...

 free agent

Free agent

In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....

 in 2003. Thornton was then the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Europe free agent draft and then signed with the Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

 in 2005.

Professional experience

2008: Drafted 73rd Overall by the All American Football League (AAFL) - Team Arkansas. Signed with Arena Football League2
2007: Out of Football
2006: Signed to Cleveland Browns reserve/futures list and allocated to NFL Europe- Berlin Thunder
2005: NFL Europe- Berlin Thunder and later signed to the Atlanta Falcons
2004: First Overall pick in 2004 NFL Europe Free Agent Draft
2003: Signed with Chicago Bears as an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent

College

Three year captain at Morris Brown College. Recorded 35 tackles, 4 Interceptions and returned 3 of the 4 INT's for touchdowns as a senior. Also saw time as a running back & wide receiver during his career. Thornton earned Academic All-American Honors in addition to being named 2nd Team D-IAA Independent All-American as a cornerback. Thornton ran track for Morris Brown College as well. Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business while focusing on marketing.

Personal

Attended Troup County Comprehensive High School in LaGrange, Ga. after transferring from Riverdale High School, Riverdale Ga. Lettered in Football, Basketball, and Track as a senior. Cousin of MLB outfielder Mike Cameron

Mike Cameron

Michael Terrance Cameron is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has previously played for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, and Florida Marlins.Cameron has won 3...

 and former NFL cornerback Bruce Thornton. Volunteers time speaking to students attending surrounding Atlanta area schools. The youngest of five children. Has one daughter.

External links

• Cleveland Browns all-time roster