James Albert Rivers (born September 22, 1945) is a former American football linebacker who played eight seasons in the NFL. Rivers played college football at Bowling Green University. Rivers was the St. Louis Cardinals fifth-round selection in the 1967 NFL Draft. He started nine games in 1968 and was named the Cardinals team Rookie of the Year. Rivers played in St. Louis from 1968-1973. He was traded to the New York Jets in 1974 where he played his last two seasons.