William James

William James (born William James Peterson Jr.; June 15, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2001 NFL draft. He played college football for the Western Illinois Leathernecks.

James, who legally dropped the Peterson surname when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006, also later played with the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers.

College career James (then still William James Peterson) attended the University of Michigan for two years, studying fashion design. Playing with the Michigan Wolverines, he was a member of the 1997 national championship team. He was dismissed from the team near the end of the 1998 season, after being charged with theft of $46 from a stripper; the charge was later dropped, but he also pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana before that school year was over. At the time of the 2001 NFL draft, James acknowledged that he had been immature, making bad decisions, and pointed out thatafter serving probation and community service on the possession convictionhis criminal record had been expunged.

James briefly attended Youngstown State in Ohio before finishing his collegiate career with a single season playing with the Western Illinois Leathernecks in 2000, starting 10 games.