WILLIS MCGAHEE

'Willis Andrew McGahee', (born October 20, 1981) is a 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

Contents

College career

Professional career

Buffalo Bills

Baltimore Ravens

Personal life

External links

College career

As a running back at the University of Miami, one of the premier college football programs in the nation, 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 Nebraska's Mike Rozier (29 in 1983) and Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders (37 in 1988) ran for more touchdowns in a season in NCAA Division I-A annals.
McGahee's 10 100-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, Ohio State's Will Allen put his forearm right into McGahee's knee, causing it to bend backwards. It tore many of the ligaments in his knee, and McGahee needed to be carried off the field.

Professional career

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills drafted McGahee as the 23rd overall selection of the 2003 NFL Draft. McGahee's knee injury was still a major concern to professional scouts. However, McGahee's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, campaigned on the fact that McGahee would be healed and ready to suit up for the following season.
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. [1] 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.[2]

Baltimore Ravens

McGahee will begin his tenure with the Ravens in the 2007 NFL season. He will likely take the place of 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 most well-paid running backs. Since his number used in Buffalo (21) is currently being used by cornerback Chris McAlister, he will be using the number 23.[3][4]

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.[5] Genetic testing proved that McGahee was the father of both children.
Before being traded by Buffalo, McGahee said in an interview that he did not like his stay in Buffalo, and he would rather see the franchise move to Toronto. This led to his trade to the Baltimore Ravens.
Willis McGahee is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

External links

★ Willis McGahee Official Web Site.

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★ Willis McGahee's NFL statistics at Pro-Football-Reference.com.