St. Thomas graduate Curtis James found out Monday that he was not selected as a preferred free agent for any National Football League teams next season.
James, who graduated last December, said he was initially disappointed when he heard the news, but he was still grateful for the chance. 
“I quickly had to snap out of that and realize that it’s one opportunity in a long life,” James said. “Very few people get to go on the journey that I’ve been able to go on.”
No Division III players were picked up in the draft, but Mount Union, the team that crushed St. Thomas’ national championship dreams, had four players get calls in the free agent process.
James announced in a Facebook post that his football career was over, but he still has an offer on the table from the Chicago Rush, an Arena Football League team that may be a stepping stone to the NFL. He and his agent will decide if it is a worthwhile opportunity.
James said he wouldn’t be too disappointed with making the change from the Tommies’ All-American center into a businessman.
“That’s exciting in itself,” he said. “As much as I love football and the NFL would have been sweet, you kind of miss that normal lifestyle … all my peers were switching into that mode, and I felt like I was one step behind.”
In the end, James said he will always be proud of proving some of his critics wrong.
“Not being afraid to take that shot and go the extra mile and put it all out there, even though in the end, it didn’t strike paydirt,” James said.
Baihly Warfield can be reached at warf3860@stthomas.edu.
I, and know many others, still consider Curtis an inspiration. In the classroom or on the field, Curtis is full of kindness and works so hard. He has inspired many to go after their dreams, no mattter how far out of reach they may seem. Congratulations on your great effort, Curtis. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.