E. J. Junior

NFL player


Name=E. J. Junior
DateOfBirth=birth date|1959|12|8|mf=y
Birthplace= Salisbury, North Carolina
DateofDeath=
Height_ft=6
Height_in=3
Weight_lbs=235
Position=Linebacker
College=Alabama
DraftedYear=1981
DraftedRound=1
DraftedPick=4
Stats=Y
DatabaseFootball=JUNIOEJ01
PFR=JuniE.00
ProBowls=2
years=1981-1988
1989-1991
1992
1992-1993
teams=St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals
Miami Dolphins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks

Ester James Junior, III (born December 8, 1959 in Salisbury, North Carolina), is a former American professional football player who was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 235 lbs. linebacker from the University of Alabama, Junior played in 13 NFL seasons from 1981-1993 for the Cardinals, the Miami Dolphins, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Seattle Seahawks. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection for the Cardinals in 1984 and 1985.

Since leaving the NFL, Junior has been the executive director of youth programs in Miami under the NBA's Alonzo Mourning. He also spent time back in the NFL as a coach and in the front office. He was the Seattle Seahawks linebacker coach in 1994 and then was the director of player development programs for the Miami Dolphins from 1996-1998. He has been a minority intern coach for the Minnesota Vikings (2003) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2005) and coached in NFL Europe for the Rhein Fire in Düsseldorf, Germany. On the college setting, he coached the linebackers at the 2005 and 2006 East-West Shrine Game.

Since April 2006 Junior has been linebackers coach at Southwest Baptist University [http://www.sbuniv.edu/athletics/football/coaches/junior.htm and now Defensive Coordinator]