42 Facts About Willis McGahee

Willis Andrew McGahee III was born on October 21,1981 and is an American former football running back.

Willis McGahee played college football at Miami, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American, and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

In 2015, Willis McGahee signed on as an athlete for the Miami Surge of the National Pro Grid League.

Willis McGahee attended Miami Central High School for one year after transferring from Miami Springs High School, where he previously attended for three years.

Willis McGahee received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Miami, where he played for coach Butch Davis and coach Larry Coker's Miami Hurricanes football teams from 2000 to 2002.

Willis McGahee shattered school season records, carrying the ball 282 times for 1,753 yards, for a 6.2 average, and 28 touchdowns.

Willis McGahee gained 2,108 all-purpose yards during 2002, which remains a Hurricanes' season record.

Willis McGahee was a member of the 2001 University of Miami team, which won the National Championship over Nebraska in the 2002 Rose Bowl that year.

Willis McGahee was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, given to the nation's top player, finishing fourth in the voting, while teammate Ken Dorsey finished fifth with 643 votes.

Willis McGahee was immediately hit by Buckeye safety Will Allen, turning his left knee into a swivel joint and causing tears of the ACL, PCL, and MCL.

At the season's end, Willis McGahee announced he would not collect on a $2.5 million insurance policy he had taken out before the Championship game, and therefore would enter the 2003 NFL Draft.

Willis McGahee majored in criminology while at the University of Miami.

The close out the 2004 season, Willis McGahee had two games going over the 100-yard rushing mark while scoring two rushing touchdowns in both of the games.

Willis McGahee finished the 2004 season with 284 carries for 1,128 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns to go along with 22 receptions for 169 receiving yards.

Willis McGahee was named by the PFWA as Comeback Player of the Year for the 2004 season.

Willis McGahee finished the 2006 season with 259 carries for 990 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to go along with 18 receptions for 156 receiving yards.

Willis McGahee was traded to the Baltimore Ravens before the 2007 season.

Willis McGahee replaced Jamal Lewis, who left the team to play for the Cleveland Browns.

Willis McGahee was slated to earn $40.12 million through a seven-year contract, making him one of the league's highest paid running backs.

Willis McGahee made his first Pro Bowl in 2007, on the strength of five 100+ yard games, and a streak of seven straight games with a rushing touchdown.

Willis McGahee was slated to be the starting running back under new head coach John Harbaugh in 2008, but various injuries through the season, including eye, shoulder, knee and ankle injuries, kept him from achieving his fourth 1,000-yard season in the NFL.

Willis McGahee spent the 2009 offseason more seriously dedicated to rehabbing and coming back better than ever.

McClain's carries were drastically reduced, as he took on his traditional run blocking FB role, but Willis McGahee's carries were severely limited during several games, as the team either tried to have a pass-heavy attack, or relied almost entirely on Rice.

Willis McGahee earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against Oakland.

Willis McGahee appeared in 15 games and recorded 100 carries for 380 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to go along with 14 receptions for 55 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

On July 30,2011, Willis McGahee signed a four-year deal with the Denver Broncos worth $9.5 million, $3 million being guaranteed.

In that game, Willis McGahee could have moved up from 10th in the NFL in rushing to 8th.

Willis McGahee was unable to play the following week against the Lions due to his injury.

However, the following week against the Raiders, Willis McGahee came back with a strong performance.

Willis McGahee was taken to the locker room and listed as questionable to return.

Head coach John Fox stated in a post-game press conference that Willis McGahee was fine and could've returned in an emergency situation.

On November 23,2011, Willis McGahee was named a team captain after the release of captain and backup quarterback Kyle Orton.

In Week 15 against the New England Patriots, Willis McGahee rushed for 70 yards averaging 10 yards per carry but was unfortunately pulled out of the game due to a hamstring injury.

Willis McGahee ended the game with only 64 yards rushing and 15 carries.

On January 17,2012, Willis McGahee was added to the 2012 Pro Bowl Roster to replace Arian Foster.

Willis McGahee was ranked 98th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012.

Willis McGahee played well, averaging 4.4 yards per carry through his first ten starts.

Willis McGahee had two other games with one rushing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, in Weeks 4 and 8.

Willis McGahee suffered a season-ending injury in Week 11 in a game against the San Diego Chargers on November 18,2012.

Willis McGahee finished the 2012 season with 167 carries for 731 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 26 receptions for 221 receiving yards.

Willis McGahee was designated for assignment on June 13,2013, due to health concerns and then waived on June 16.

Willis McGahee made several appearances in television commercials for Easterns Automotive Group, a local car dealership group on the Washington DC and Baltimore areas, alongside Chief Zee, Antwaan Randle El and Santana Moss.