Where Are They Now: James "Peanut" Carter
5/12/2020 1:54:00 PM | Football, Athletic Foundation
Former Eagle lineman now working for DEA
James Carter won two national championships with the Eagles, helping plow the way for a dynamic rushing attack from his offensive guard spot. The Thomaston, Georgia, native was named a Second-Team All-American by Don Hansen's Football Gazette in 1986 and now works for the DEA along the Texas/Mexico border. Let's catch up with the man his teammates called "Peanut."
Q: Can you tell us your story about how you ended up playing at Georgia Southern and where else did you consider playing?
JC: The main reason was Coach Russell and his reputation. What solidified it was that Hugh Nall was from Thomaston, Georgia (my hometown) and played for Coach Russell at Georgia. Hugh was one of the original members of Coach Russell's staff. He and Coach [Doc] Spurgeon spoke with me about the opportunity and being on the ground floor of the team that was newly formed at Georgia Southern.
Q: For those who aren't familiar, what years and positions did you play for the Eagles?
JC: I played from 1982 to 1986 and I started as a defensive lineman. Coach Nall put a note on my locker that read, "James, you are now an offensive lineman. Pick up a white jersey for practice." I settled in at offensive guard and the rest is history.
Q: What year did you graduate and what did you earn your degree in?
JC: I didn't get my degree until a couple years after leaving Southern - the degree that was later earned was criminal justice. I left Georgia Southern in the spring of 1987.
Q: Where has your career taken us from when you graduated to now?
JC: I did about a year and a half with the Georgia Department of Corrections, 10 years with the Savannah Police Department and have been with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in McAllen, Texas, for the last 20 years. I will retire in October of 2020.
Q: What is your job title currently and what do your job duties entail?
JC: I'm a Special Agent (Criminal Investigator) for the DEA. We investigate, apprehend and prosecute drug trafficking cartels that bring bulk illegal narcotics into the United States via the Texas/Mexico border.
Q: What are the challenges you face in your job with the DEA?
JC: The toughest or most mentally draining challenge was always being available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. When the call comes in to leave your residence and be gone for extended hours or days is never known. That requirement is most unique for agents on the border.
Q: Does anything from your football playing days translate over to your line of work?
JC: The one thing that sticks out is being part of a team where we have to rely on each other to do their part to get the job done. The objective just like in football is victory.
Q: Can you tell us about your family?
JC: My mother and father have passed. I have a sister in Thomaston and a brother in Atlanta. I'm not currently married. I have two beautiful daughters and a handsome son.
Q: Where do you live now and do you still keep up with the Eagles?
JC: I always keep up with the Eagles through the internet, web sites and group chats with teammates. When I can't pick them up live, Darren Alford will send me updates.
Q: What was it like playing for Coach Russell and what did you learn from him that you still use today?
JC: Playing for Coach Russell was probably one of life's greatest privileges. When somebody tried to give Coach Russell credit for accomplishments he would always refer to everyone around him and give them the credit. I always thought he did that with such dignity and class that I always try to emulate his example. When I think of him, and this may sound crazy, but I feel sorry for the people in this world that never experienced his example of what it means to be a good and inspirational person.
Q: What's your fondest football memory from your time at Southern?
JC: The best memories of Southern are starting the traditions that exist to this day - riding on the school buses to the games, jumping into Eagle Creek, the fight song that is still sung by Eagle players to this day, and knowing Coach Russell. The 1985 National Championship stills make me smile and shake my head at the same time. That was magic!
Q: How did you get the nickname "Peanut" and does anyone still call you that?
JC: That was a name that was first used by some of the players during the 1982 summer camp. Of course it came from President Jimmy Carter and him having a peanut farm. Coach Russell got wind of it an used it during a practice. After that, that is the only thing people called me for many years. Some of my current coworkers will use it from time to time.
Q: Since he still works here, do you have any good Tracy Ham stories?
JC: I still tell people this story about Tracy. During the summer of 1985, Tracy called me on the telephone. He said that he just wanted to touch base, make sure everything is good and he stressed how important it was that I arrive at summer camp in shape and with my mind right. Then he planted a seed that I never saw coming. He said, "Peanut, we're gonna win that ring this year." I was incredulous and questioned whether or not he really thought we were good enough to do that. Tracy assured me that we would be good enough. We continued small talk and he repeated, "We're gonna win that ring this year" several times. Tracy Ham was a class act then and he is to this day. I was proud to see his jersey number and name displayed in Paulson Stadium.
Q: I understand you came back to a game last year for the first time in 20 years. How have things changed since you were here?
JC: The campus has changed and appears to be modern. The stadium has undergone some wonderful improvements as well as the practice fields. It is fantastic and heart warming to see a core group of players that support the team and each other. God bless Dingus Magees because nothing change about that place since 1982. The only thing different was flat screen TVs.
Q: How was your visit and can we expect to see you again soon?
JC: The objective now is to make it back to at least one home game a year or and any games closer to Texas.
Q: Anything else you'd like to say to Eagle Nation?
JC: Thank you to the Eagle Nation for the best time, best friends and the most wonderful experiences a person could ever hope to have. To the current players - have the time of your life, cherish every moment, work harder than any other team because "Gosh almighty, what an opportunity!"
Q: Can you tell us your story about how you ended up playing at Georgia Southern and where else did you consider playing?
JC: The main reason was Coach Russell and his reputation. What solidified it was that Hugh Nall was from Thomaston, Georgia (my hometown) and played for Coach Russell at Georgia. Hugh was one of the original members of Coach Russell's staff. He and Coach [Doc] Spurgeon spoke with me about the opportunity and being on the ground floor of the team that was newly formed at Georgia Southern.
Q: For those who aren't familiar, what years and positions did you play for the Eagles?
JC: I played from 1982 to 1986 and I started as a defensive lineman. Coach Nall put a note on my locker that read, "James, you are now an offensive lineman. Pick up a white jersey for practice." I settled in at offensive guard and the rest is history.
Q: What year did you graduate and what did you earn your degree in?
JC: I didn't get my degree until a couple years after leaving Southern - the degree that was later earned was criminal justice. I left Georgia Southern in the spring of 1987.
Q: Where has your career taken us from when you graduated to now?
JC: I did about a year and a half with the Georgia Department of Corrections, 10 years with the Savannah Police Department and have been with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in McAllen, Texas, for the last 20 years. I will retire in October of 2020.
Q: What is your job title currently and what do your job duties entail?
JC: I'm a Special Agent (Criminal Investigator) for the DEA. We investigate, apprehend and prosecute drug trafficking cartels that bring bulk illegal narcotics into the United States via the Texas/Mexico border.
Q: What are the challenges you face in your job with the DEA?
JC: The toughest or most mentally draining challenge was always being available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. When the call comes in to leave your residence and be gone for extended hours or days is never known. That requirement is most unique for agents on the border.
Q: Does anything from your football playing days translate over to your line of work?
JC: The one thing that sticks out is being part of a team where we have to rely on each other to do their part to get the job done. The objective just like in football is victory.
Q: Can you tell us about your family?
JC: My mother and father have passed. I have a sister in Thomaston and a brother in Atlanta. I'm not currently married. I have two beautiful daughters and a handsome son.
Q: Where do you live now and do you still keep up with the Eagles?
JC: I always keep up with the Eagles through the internet, web sites and group chats with teammates. When I can't pick them up live, Darren Alford will send me updates.
Q: What was it like playing for Coach Russell and what did you learn from him that you still use today?
JC: Playing for Coach Russell was probably one of life's greatest privileges. When somebody tried to give Coach Russell credit for accomplishments he would always refer to everyone around him and give them the credit. I always thought he did that with such dignity and class that I always try to emulate his example. When I think of him, and this may sound crazy, but I feel sorry for the people in this world that never experienced his example of what it means to be a good and inspirational person.
Q: What's your fondest football memory from your time at Southern?
JC: The best memories of Southern are starting the traditions that exist to this day - riding on the school buses to the games, jumping into Eagle Creek, the fight song that is still sung by Eagle players to this day, and knowing Coach Russell. The 1985 National Championship stills make me smile and shake my head at the same time. That was magic!
Q: How did you get the nickname "Peanut" and does anyone still call you that?
JC: That was a name that was first used by some of the players during the 1982 summer camp. Of course it came from President Jimmy Carter and him having a peanut farm. Coach Russell got wind of it an used it during a practice. After that, that is the only thing people called me for many years. Some of my current coworkers will use it from time to time.
Q: Since he still works here, do you have any good Tracy Ham stories?
JC: I still tell people this story about Tracy. During the summer of 1985, Tracy called me on the telephone. He said that he just wanted to touch base, make sure everything is good and he stressed how important it was that I arrive at summer camp in shape and with my mind right. Then he planted a seed that I never saw coming. He said, "Peanut, we're gonna win that ring this year." I was incredulous and questioned whether or not he really thought we were good enough to do that. Tracy assured me that we would be good enough. We continued small talk and he repeated, "We're gonna win that ring this year" several times. Tracy Ham was a class act then and he is to this day. I was proud to see his jersey number and name displayed in Paulson Stadium.
Q: I understand you came back to a game last year for the first time in 20 years. How have things changed since you were here?
JC: The campus has changed and appears to be modern. The stadium has undergone some wonderful improvements as well as the practice fields. It is fantastic and heart warming to see a core group of players that support the team and each other. God bless Dingus Magees because nothing change about that place since 1982. The only thing different was flat screen TVs.
Q: How was your visit and can we expect to see you again soon?
JC: The objective now is to make it back to at least one home game a year or and any games closer to Texas.
Q: Anything else you'd like to say to Eagle Nation?
JC: Thank you to the Eagle Nation for the best time, best friends and the most wonderful experiences a person could ever hope to have. To the current players - have the time of your life, cherish every moment, work harder than any other team because "Gosh almighty, what an opportunity!"
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