James Parker joined the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos in 1980 as a defensive end and went straight to the Grey Cup his first season. He led the League in sacks in 1981 and 1982 and was named to the Western All-Star team and CFL All-Star teams both years. He moved to the B.C. Lions in the 1984 season and became the League sack leader with an average of 26.5 sacks in a single season, which is still an all-time CFL record today. Parker remains third in the League for most quarterback sacks, all-time, in a regular season with 139.5. James Parker finished his CFL career as a member of the Toronto Argonauts where he played the 1990 season and one game in the 1991 season.