Choctaw tribal member James Winchester grew up in the heart of Oklahoma, in the town of Washington where sports weren’t just a pastime—they were a way of life. His dream of playing football was heavily influenced by his father, Michael Winchester who played for the University of Oklahoma under legendary coach Barry Switzer in the 1980s. His father had been a walk-on, coming from a small school, and carved out a role for himself on a nationally celebrated team. That example taught James a powerful lesson: with enough grit and perseverance, even the biggest goals were possible.

Though James initially dreamed of walking on as a wide receiver at the University of Oklahoma, his path took an unexpected turn. An injury to another player opened a door for James to step into the specialized role of long snapper. Though it wasn’t the position he had once envisioned, James seized the opportunity. His love for the game and willingness to adapt allowed him to carve out a place on the Sooners roster.

After his college career, James overcame being undrafted in 2013 to be signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015. James Is one of the most celebrated long snappers in the NFL and made history as the only long snapper to play in five super bowls, going on to win three with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Faith and family are foundational to James. He and his wife have three children and live on land right outside of the Kansas City area.

In 2025, James was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame.

James speaking at Eagles Landing in Olathe, Kansas on May 22nd, 2026
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