Heard it through the grapevine that former SMU Pony Express running back [B]Craig James[/B] plans to run for the Senate.

The McKinney Courier-Gazette reported in 2010 that James hinted on [B]Jeff Bolton’s[/B] KLIF 570-AM morning radio show that he may want to run.

James, the former Houston Stratford, SMU Mustangs, U.S.F.L. Washington Federals and New England Patriots star has been building his name as college football analyst on ESPN.

James, who lives north of Dallas in conservative Celina, Texas, will run as a Republican.

[B]Notable:[/B] Craig James and [B]Eric Dickerson[/B], the famed Pony Express, led SMU to a 7-3 Cotton Bowl victory over Pittsburgh in 1983. SMU plays Pitt in this season’s BBVA Compass Bowl on Jan. 7.

[I]The Idaho Stateman[/I] writes that running for office likely will at least temporarily take James off of ESPN. He has been heavily criticized since his involvement in the ouster of former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and recently for his evaluation of Boise State in [I]The Associated Press [/I]Top 25, where he has the Broncos ranked No. 23 — six spots lower than anyone else.

Craig James’ news comes just as former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert introduced his legendary endorsements.

OLDSCHOOLCADDIE.COM