It’s not every day students get to have a conversation with an all-pro running back and college football broadcaster.

Craig James, half of the storied SMU “Pony Express” and now a college football commentator, kicked off his three-month speaking tour Monday at Texas A&M U.

“I want to engage young Americans to be as educated as they can about issues and to speak up and be heard,” James said. “I feel this real void in our country of young Americans being heard.”

James met students, parents and fans before the event at the entrance to Rudder Theater. He thanked people for coming out and ushered them into their seats. As the event began, James asked for the nearly 200 participants in attendance to move to the front so he could hold a discussion rather than a lecture. He began his remarks by teasing members of the A&’M football team in attendance, especially quarterback Jerrod Johnson, about their mistakes against Florida International University.

“I want young people to get off the sidelines and into the game,” James said. Students in attendance responded positively.

“I thought it was really interesting to hear what Craig James had to talk about,” said Kyle Bridges, freshman telecommunications major. “I thought it was going to be more about sports; that’s why I came. It was interesting to hear what he thought about politics, and how he got where he is now. It was a good atmosphere.”

During his remarks, James covered a wide range of topics. He discussed his years at SMU and in the NFL and how he started a car dealership while in college; he spoke about his time in the NFL. He joked that his, “favorite memory as a pro football player was the day we got our first check.” He explained his career as a successful businessman in real estate and broadcasting. However, James attempted to focus on politics.

He railed against bailouts, subsidies and government entitlement programs, sharing his beliefs on capitalism, the free market and conservatism. However, James insists he does not have any political aspirations. He just has a passion for students.

“It’s pretty awesome when you see that many people that have deadlines and tests to step out and come to something like this. I enjoyed it,” James said.

The Craig James tour continues Oct. 18 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.