James Coley (tight end)

James Lester Coley was born on April 13, 1967, in Jacksonville, Florida.^[1] He attended Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville.^[1]

He lettered for the Clemson Tigers from 1985 to 1988.^[1] He caught seven passes for 108 yards and one touchdown his junior year in 1987.^[2] He recorded six receptions for 86 yards as a senior in 1988.^[2]

After going undrafted in the 1989 NFL draft, Coley was signed by the Chicago Bears on May 4, 1989.^[3] He was waived on September 5 and signed to the practice squad the next day, where he spent the remainder of the 1989 season.^[3] He became a free agent after the season and re-signed with the Bears on March 15, 1990.^[3] Coley played in all 16 games for the Bears during the 1990 season, catching one pass for seven yards.^[4] He also appeared in two playoff games that season.^[4] He was released by the Bears on August 26, 1991.^[3]

Coley signed with the Indianapolis Colts on September 18, 1991. He played in seven games, starting four, for the Colts that season and recorded one reception for 13 yards.^[4] He was released on November 20, 1991.^[3]

Coley played in three games for the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League in 1994 as an offensive lineman/defensive lineman, totaling four solo tackles and one fumble recovery.^[1][5] He played both offense and defense in the AFL as the league played under ironman rules.