It was an ongoing struggle to say no, I don't want to be a part of the perpetuation of this stereotype.

Amos has been a resident of Tewksbury Township New Jersey. In 1965 he played with the Norfolk Neptunes and Wheeling Ironmen of the Continental Football League. He has also appeared on Broadway and in numerous motion pictures in a career that spans four decades.

His television work includes roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show the miniseries Roots for which he received an Emmy nomination and a recurring role in The West Wing. John Amos (born December 27 1939) is an American actor and former football player best known for his role as James Evans Sr. He has received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and NAACP Image Award.