DL McCartney Ends Professional Football Career Following Championship Season
August 2, 2016 - Champions Indoor Football (CIF)
Wichita Force News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Force announced today that DL James McCartney has decided to retire his professional football career after spending six seasons with Wichita indoor teams.
McCartney signed with the Force during the team's inaugural season in 2015 following the end of the former Wichita Wild (CPIFL). Playing in two seasons for the Force, McCartney racked up 58 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 16.5 tackles for loss.
Beginning his professional career in 2010 with the Wild, McCartney spent four seasons with the team, earning CPIFL All-Team honors in 2013 and back-to-back championships in 2013-14. In his second season with the Force, McCartney helped lead the team to its first franchise championship with a 48-45 win over the Amarillo Venom.
In the midst of his announcement, HC Paco Martinez made the following statement in regard to the time that he has coached James in his professional career:
"James was a special player," Martinez said. "I always knew that when James was in the game, he was going to lay it all on the line for his team. He's an old school player that played through injuries and played wherever we needed him. James is the definition of effort, he only had one speed and that was 100%. In all of the years I coached James, I never heard him complain about anything-except the officials not seeing that he was being held. James was one of the core guys that helped build our winning tradition here in Wichita and he embodies what it means to be a champion. Congratulations on your career, James, and thank you."
After playing football for the past 15 seasons, McCartney said he will miss playing on the field as well as the fans and connections that he has made over the course of his career.
"To all my fans, and especially the one that said I was his favorite player during an interview at the championship game, I want to say that I love each of you like you were a family member," McCartney commented. "Some of you I have had various contacts with outside of game day and I appreciate the extra things you have done for me, my family, and our organization. There are about a dozen of you that had a more personal connection with me and I hope to build on that over the years even without me playing football."
During his collegiate career at Bethel College, he was named KCAC Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009. In his overall professional career, McCartney has recorded 235 tackles, 51 sacks, 41 tackles for loss, six defensive touchdowns, and three offensive touchdowns. In 2015, McCartney was named No. 6 in the "Wichita Top 10 indoor football players" by the Wichita Eagle.
McCartney has since begun his career at his alma mater as an admissions counselor as well as an assistant football coach to the Threshers. In his retirement, he plans to spend more time with his wife, Emily, and their daughter and son.
"I have been fortunate to meet and play with/against some great players and men in general," McCartney said. "Nobody ever really misses the practices, the travel, or the workouts but, that game day Force Nation environment will seem different from the stands next season."
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