| James Dearth | |
| Number: | 88, 85 |
| Position: | Long snapper |
| Birth Date: | 22 January 1976 |
| Birth Place: | Fort Ord, California, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 4 |
| Weight Lbs: | 265 |
| High School: | Scurry-Rosser |
| College: | Tarleton State |
| Draftyear: | 1999 |
| Draftround: | 6 |
| Draftpick: | 191 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Statlabel1: | Games played |
| Statvalue1: | 146 |
| Statlabel2: | Receptions |
| Statvalue2: | 3 |
| Statlabel3: | Receiving yards |
| Statvalue3: | 10 |
| Statlabel4: | Receiving touchdowns |
| Statvalue4: | 1 |
James Dearth (born January 22, 1976) is a former American football long snapper. Dearth, who attended Tarleton State University, was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL draft.
He has also been a member of the New York Jets, Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots.
Dearth attended Scurry-Rosser High School in Scurry, Texas and was a student and a letterman in football. In football, he was a starter at both, quarterback and middle linebacker, and was an All-State honoree at both positions.
Dearth was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 1999 NFL draft.[2]
In 2001, the Jets would sign the free agent Dearth as a tight end/long snapper.[3] In that same year he recorded a career-high three receptions and a touchdown. Following the season, Dearth was relegated to long snapping duties and was a consistent part of the Jets' special teams unit until he became a free agent and was replaced by Tanner Purdum following the 2009 season.[3] [4]
On August 14, 2010, Dearth would sign with the Washington Redskins.[5] [6] Dearth was expected to compete with the "inconsistent" Nick Sundberg.[5] Despite Sundberg's inconsistencies he slowly progressed throughout training camp and eventually Dearth was waived on August 31, 2010, in favor of the improved Sundberg.[7] [8]
The San Diego Chargers signed Dearth on September 15, 2010, after a hamstring injury saw long snapper David Binn placed on injured reserve.[9] Two days later on September 17, 2010, Dearth suffered a foot injury during practice and would subsequently be placed on injured reserve before playing a game for the Chargers.[10] [11]
Dearth signed with the New England Patriots on August 29, 2011.[12] He was released on September 4.[13]
Dearth is married to his wife, Laurie, with whom he has three children, Kaitlyn, Kendall, and Kolton.[3] Dearth, a devout Christian, is known to be a "low-key and cordial" person.[3]
Dearth used to co-own an Athletic Republic franchise in the Houston area with friend and former Jets running back Derrick Blaylock.[3] The facility opened in December 2009 aiming to help young athletes prepare for professional careers.[3]