WINNIPEG, Manitoba - CJ James a recent senior corner back on the Eastern Illinois football team will continue his professional career as he signed a free agent contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. James will report to the team to begin training camp on June 5.

James played four seasons with the Panthers appearing as a reserve defensive back his freshman year and starter at corner the last three years. He was a first team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection as a junior leading the team with five interceptions including two returned for touchdowns. As a senior he was a second team All-OVC selection ranking fifth on the team with 56 tackles. James is originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., where he was an All-South Florida Sun Sentinel selection at Northeast High School.

Winnipeg plays in the CFL's East Division and finished at 4-14 last season. The Blue Bombers will play their first exhibition game on June 16 at Montreal. The regular season opens on July 1 at Hamilton. The CFL currently has eight teams playing an 18-game schedule in two divisions. Montreal defeated Saskatchewan in last year's Grey Cup.

CFL Website - http://www.cfl.ca/