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| No. 55, 92[1] | |||||||
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| Position: | Defensive tackle /Defensive end | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | (1958-08-27)August 27, 1958 Midland, Texas, U.S. | ||||||
| Died: | January 25, 1994(1994-01-25) (aged 35) Midland, Texas, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 245 lb (111 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Midland (Texas) | ||||||
| College: | Texas A&M (1976–1979) | ||||||
| NFL draft: | 1980: 11th round, 290
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| Career history | |||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career CFL statistics | |||||||
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James Ray Zachery (August 27, 1958 – January 25, 1994) was an American professionalfootballdefensive lineman who played eight seasons in theCanadian Football League (CFL) with theMontreal Alouettes,Montreal Concordes andEdmonton Eskimos. He was selected by theNew York Jets in the eleventh round of the1980 NFL draft. He playedcollege football atTexas A&M University. Zachery was a member of the Eskimos team that won the75th Grey Cup.
James Ray Zachery was born on August 27, 1958, inMidland, Texas.[1] He attendedMidland High School in Midland.[1]
Zachery was a member of theTexas A&M Aggies ofTexas A&M University from 1976 to 1979 and was a three-yearletterman from 1977 to 1799.[1]
Zachery was selected by theNew York Jets in the 11th round, with the 290th overall pick, of the1980 NFL draft.[1] He was released by the Jets on September 1, 1980.[2]
He then played in 49 games for theMontreal Alouettes/Concordes of theCanadian Football League (CFL) from 1980 to 1984.[1]
Zachery signed with theWashington Redskins of the NFL in 1985.[2] He was released on August 20, 1985.[2]
He played in 44 games for theEdmonton Eskimos of the CFL from 1985 to 1987.[1] In 1986, he set a single-season CFL record with five blocked kicks and was also named aCFL West All-Star.[3][4] The Eskimos won the75th Grey Cup in 1987.[5] Zachery recorded 37 sacks and seven blocked kicks during his CFL career.[1][3]
Zachery died on January 25, 1994, after he was the victim of a gang attack.[6] 17-year-old De-Vann Stewart was initially charged with Zachary's murder.[7] Stewart was later sentenced to 20 years on a manslaughter conviction and a second defendant, Don Jackson, was convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to 50 years in prison.[8]