James was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round (131st overall) of the 2001 NFL draft.
In 2002, he appeared in 5 games playing mainly on special teams, returning 10 kickoffs for 228 yards and making 2 tackles.
On December 31, he was promoted to the active roster, but was inactive in the wild card playoff game against the Carolina Panthers.
He missed the final 2 games of the season with an injury, but still received NFL Europe All-League honors.
James' wife, Myriah, once appeared on the hit game show The Price Is Right.