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.
![]() Dearth with the New York Jets. | |||||||
No. 85 | |||||||
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Position: | Long snapper | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | (1976-01-22) January 22, 1976 (age 46) Fort Ord, California, U.S. | ||||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
College: | Tarleton State | ||||||
NFL Draft: | 1999 / Round: 6 / Pick: 191 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com | |||||||
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.
In 2001, the Jets would sign the free agent Dearth as a tight end/long snapper.[1] 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.[1][2]
On August 14, 2010, Dearth would sign with the Washington Redskins.[3][4] Dearth was expected to compete with the "inconsistent" Nick Sundberg.[3] 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.[5][6]
The San Diego Chargers signed Dearth on September 15, 2010 after a hamstring injury saw long snapper David Binn placed on injured reserve.[7] 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.[8][9]
Dearth signed with the New England Patriots on August 29, 2011.[10] He was released on September 4.[11]
Dearth is married to his wife, Laurie, with whom he has three children, Kaitlyn, Kendall, and Kolton.[1] Dearth, a devout Christian, is known to be a "low-key and cordial" person.[1]
Dearth co-owns an Athletic Republic franchise in the Houston area with friend and former Jets running back Derrick Blaylock.[1] The facility opened in December 2009 aiming to help young athletes prepare for professional careers.[1]