Willis McGahee: Difference between revisions
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His most frightening moment came during the [[2003 Fiesta Bowl]], when he tore many of the ligaments in his knee on a big running play. |
His most frightening moment came during the [[2003 Fiesta Bowl]], when he tore many of the ligaments in his knee on a big running play. |
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==Professional career== |
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===Buffalo Bills=== |
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Prior to his knee injury in the [[2003 Fiesta Bowl]], McGahee was considered "<em>a cinch top-five pick</em>."<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE6DF113AF931A15757C0A9659C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/M/McGahee,%20Willis "NYTimes.com: McGahee Hopes to Allay Concerns Before Draft"]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20030729/ai_n12512208 "Agent says RB McGahee 'ready to go'"]</ref> |
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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]]<ref>[http://bills.scout.com/2/601507.html "Scout.com: McGahee The Key To Bills Attack"]</ref>. 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.<ref>[http://www.sportsbooks.com/news/sports_betting/249426.html "McGahee battles through illness"]</ref> |
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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]]<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2791831 "ESPN.com: McGahee traded to Ravens, signs long-term deal]</ref>. |
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===Baltimore Ravens=== |
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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-million dollar contract, making him one of the league's best paid running backs<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/08/AR2007030801021.html "WashingtonPost.com: Ravens Acquire McGahee"]</ref><ref>[http://mvn.com/nfl-giants/2007/02/24/reese-eyes-mcgahee/ "MVN.com: Reese Eyes McGahee"]</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
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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<ref>[http://bills.aolsportsblog.com/2007/01/09/willis-mcgahee-has-a-thing-for-teachers-but-not-condoms/ "Willis McGahee Has a Thing for Teachers, but not Condoms"]</ref>. Genetic testing proved that McGahee was the father of both children.<ref>[http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/category/bills/2007/01/09/willis-mcgahee-has-a-thing-for-teachers-but-not-condoms/ "Willis McGahee Has a Thing for Teachers, but not Condoms"]</ref>. |
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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.<ref>[http://torontosun.com/Sports/Football/2007/01/11/3299449-sun.html?tbd3299449-sun.html "Toronto Sun: What was Willis talkin' about?"]</ref> 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 ..."<ref>[http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=46572&provider=top "Parting Shots: McGahee Bashes Buffalo"]</ref> |
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==Notes and references== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.willismcgahee.com Willis McGahee Official Web Site]. |
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*{{espn nfl|id=6359|name=Willis McGahee}}. |
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*[http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/McGaWi00.htm Willis McGahee's NFL statistics at Pro-Football-Reference.com]. |
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{{start box}} |
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{{succession box | title=[[Baltimore Ravens]]' Starting Running Back | before=[[Jamal Lewis]]| years=2007-''present''| after=''Incumbent''}} |
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{{succession box | title=[[Buffalo Bills]]' Starting Running Back | before=[[Travis Henry]]| years=2004-2006| after=[[Marshawn Lynch]]}} |
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{{succession box | title=[[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami Hurricanes]]' Starting Running Back | before=[[Clinton Portis]]| years=2002| after=[[Frank Gore]]}} |
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{{end box}} |
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{{2003 NFL Draft}} |
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{{BillsFirstPick}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:McGahee, Willis}} |
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[[Category:1981 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:American football running backs]] |
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[[Category:African American sportspeople]] |
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[[Category:Buffalo Bills players]] |
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[[Category:Baltimore Ravens players]] |
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[[Category:Miami Hurricanes football players]] |
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[[Category:People from Miami]] |
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[[fr:Willis McGahee]] |
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Revision as of 04:23, 24 December 2007
| Baltimore Ravens | |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| College: | University of Miami |
| NFL draft: | 2003 / round: 1 / pick: 23 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Willis Andrew McGahee (born October 20, 1981 in Miami, Florida) is an American football running back in the National Football League. He played for the Buffalo Bills from 2003 to 2006. He was traded to the Baltimore Ravens on March 8, 2007
College career
As a running back at the University of Miami, 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 a 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).
His most frightening moment came during the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, when he tore many of the ligaments in his knee on a big running play.
Professional career
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].
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-million dollar contract, making him one of the league's best paid running backs[6][7]
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]
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"