James Elmer Tays (March 10, 1899 - June 21, 1986) was an American football back who played three seasons in the National Football League with the Chicago Cardinals, Dayton Triangles, Staten Island Stapletons and Newark Tornadoes. He played college football at Pennsylvania State University and attended Tolono High School in Tolono, Illinois. Tays was also a member of the Chicago Bulls of the American Football League. He was a member of the Chicago Cardinals team that were NFL champions in 1925.