Willis McGahee
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| Baltimore Ravens — No. 23 | |
| Running back | |
| Date of birth: October 20, 1981 | |
| Place of birth: Miami, Florida | |
| Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Weight: 232 lb (105 kg) |
| National Football League debut | |
|---|---|
| 2004 for the Buffalo Bills | |
| Career history | |
| College: Miami (FL) | |
| NFL Draft: 2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 23 | |
Teams:
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| Career highlights and awards | |
| Selected NFL statistics (through Week 17 of the 2007 NFL season) |
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| Rushing yards | 4,572 |
| Rushing average | 3.9 |
| Rushing TDs | 31 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Willis Andrew McGahee (born October 20, 1981 in Miami, Florida) is an American football running back in the National Football League. for the Baltimore Ravens. He attended the University of Miami.
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[edit] College career
In college, McGahee broke several records in the 2002 season. He broke, substantially, school season records, carrying the ball 282 times for 1,753 yards (6.2 avg.) and 28 touchdowns. Only UCF's Kevin Smith (29 in 2007), Nebraska's Mike Rozier (29 in 1983) and Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders (37 in 1988) ran for more touchdowns in an NCAA Division I-A season.
McGahee's ten 100-yard performances broke the Hurricanes' season record of eight, set by Ottis Anderson in 1978; he added 350 yards on 24 receptions (14.6 avg.) that season. He gained 2,108 all-purpose yards, breaking selection. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, given to the nation's top player, finishing fourth in the voting (660 points).
McGahee was a member of the 2001 University of Miami team, which won the Division I national championship in that year (the fifth such national championship for the University of Miami since 1983, the most of any university in the past 25 years). In the early part of the fourth quarter during the 2003 Fiesta Bowl National Championship Game against Ohio State McGahee suffered a horrific injury when his left knee was hyper extended resulting in a complete dislocation in which he tore nearly all of the ligaments. This injury required several surgeries and extensive rehabilitation before he would be able to play again.
He majored in criminology.
[edit] Professional career
[edit] Buffalo Bills
Prior to his knee injury in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, McGahee was considered "a cinch top-five pick."[1] Because McGahee's knee injury was still a major concern to professional scouts, the Buffalo Bills drafted McGahee as the 23rd overall selection of the 2003 NFL Draft. McGahee was only drafted in the 1st round due to the lobbying of his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who campaigned on the fact that McGahee would be healed and ready to suit up for the following season.[2]
McGahee was still recuperating at the time, and eventually made his first professional debut during week six of the 2004 NFL season. He became the team’s starting running back during the season, replacing Travis Henry, who later left to play for the Tennessee Titans. During the season, McGahee rushed for over 1,100 yards, and scored thirteen touchdowns, the fourth most in the league. He rushed for a career high 1,200 yards the following season, but scored fewer touchdowns. In 2006, McGahee did not perform as well in comparison with previous seasons, rushing for nearly 1000 yards with only three touchdowns. McGahee also ran into several health concerns during the season, including ailments in his rib cage, ankle, and stomach[3]. McGahee has had noticeable stamina problems throughout his NFL career, evident in games in which he receives a lot of carries or where he breaks a long run. McGahee has trouble operating as a feature back by himself because of this lack of endurance.[4]
Following the seasons’ conclusion, the Bills traded him to the Baltimore Ravens for third and seventh round picks in the 2007 NFL Draft, and a third round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft[5].
[edit] Baltimore Ravens
McGahee began his tenure with the Ravens in the 2007 NFL season. He has replaced Jamal Lewis, who left the team to play for the Cleveland Browns. He is slated to earn $40.12 million dollars through a seven year contract, making him one of the league's highest paid running backs. In his first season with Baltimore he rushed 1,207 yards.[6][7]
[edit] Personal life
In January 2006, McGahee drew controversy when a woman claimed that he had fathered her children. He has been faced with two other similar lawsuits over a three year span[8]. Genetic testing proved that McGahee was the father of both children.[9].
Before being traded by Buffalo, McGahee made some harsh public comments about the city, and said he would like to see the franchise move to Toronto. These remarks contributed to his trade to the Baltimore Ravens.[10] Following the trade, McGahee continued to stir bad feelings when he bashed the city of Buffalo in an interview with the Baltimore Sun. He said, "Coming from Miami, I was used to partying, going out, just having something to do every night. Restaurants, whatever. Going to Buffalo, it was like hitting a brick wall. Like, 'Damn!' Can't go out, can't do nothing. There's an Applebee's, a TGI Friday's, and they just got a Dave & Busters. They got that, and I'm like, 'What the?' And, you know, the women ..."[11]
He was the winner of the 2008 Madden Bowl. [12]
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ "NYTimes.com: McGahee Hopes to Allay Concerns Before Draft"
- ^ "Agent says RB McGahee 'ready to go'"
- ^ "Scout.com: McGahee The Key To Bills Attack"
- ^ "McGahee battles through illness"
- ^ "ESPN.com: McGahee traded to Ravens, signs long-term deal
- ^ "WashingtonPost.com: Ravens Acquire McGahee"
- ^ "MVN.com: Reese Eyes McGahee"
- ^ "Willis McGahee Has a Thing for Teachers, but not Condoms"
- ^ "Willis McGahee Has a Thing for Teachers, but not Condoms"
- ^ "Toronto Sun: What was Willis talkin' about?"
- ^ "Parting Shots: McGahee Bashes Buffalo"
- ^ "Willis McGahee Wins Madden Bowl", SF Chronicle, February 1, 2008.
[edit] External links
- Willis McGahee Official Web Site.
- Willis McGahee at ESPN.com.
- Willis McGahee's NFL statistics at Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- Willis McGahee's Miami Hurricanes 2001 National Champions Football Pennant
- Ravens Player Bio
| Preceded by Jamal Lewis |
Baltimore Ravens' Starting Running Back 2007-present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Travis Henry |
Buffalo Bills' Starting Running Back | Succeeded by Marshawn Lynch |
| Preceded by Clinton Portis |
Miami Hurricanes' Starting Running Back 2002 |
Succeeded by Frank Gore |
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