The Calgary Stampeders signed former Chicago Bears defensive lineman James Vaughters on Wednesday. The 29-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, attended training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. This will be Vaughters’s second stint in Calgary.
“I’m excited to be back in Calgary with the Stamps,” said Vaughters. “I won a Grey Cup here but, more importantly, learned how to be a professional. I appreciate the club for recognizing what I can add to the team and I look forward to getting acquainted with my teammates as we pursue the 2023 Grey Cup.”
Vaughters signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He made the Packers’ practice squad. In 2016, he tried out for the New England Patriots but was released. A month after being released by the Patriots. Vaughters signed with the Calgary Stampeders and was placed on the practice squad.
In 2017, Vaughters made 32 tackles and six sacks in 17 games for Calgary. The following year, Vaughters made 26 tackles and five sacks in 16 games when the Stampeders won the 106th Grey Cup championship over the Ottawa Redblacks by the final score of 27-16.
After Calgary, Vaughters signed with the Chicago Bears. He played two seasons with 25 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 17 games. In 2021, Vaughters signed with the Atlanta Falcons with eight tackles and one sack in ten games for the Falcons.
Collegiately, Vaughters played four seasons at Stanford (2011-14) with 139 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 55 games for the Cardinal.
In his final season, Vaughters had 51 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 13 games. He was named the 2014 Foster Farms Bowl Defensive MVP after making 4.5 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble in a 45-21 win over the Maryland Terrapins.
