James David Melka (born January 15, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Melka was born on January 15, 1962, in West Allis, Wisconsin. He attended West Allis Central High School where he was an All-America running back.
Melka played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was named to the All-Big Ten team twice. He was selected in the twelfth round of the 1985 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but broke his navicular bone in his wrist playing in a pickup basketball game. He was placed on waivers on August 19, 1985, and would later go on to be a member of the Green Bay Packers.