Willis McGahee

**Willis Andrew McGahee, III** (born October 21, 1981) is a former American football running back.  He played college football for the University of Miami, and was recognized as an All-American.  He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He also played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns.

## Early years

McGahee was born in Miami, Florida.  He attended Miami Central High School, and played for the Miami Central Rockets high school football team.

## College

McGahee played college football as a runningback for the Miami Hurricanes. He had 2,067 career rushing yards on 349 carries (5.9 avg.) for 31 touchdowns, which ranked 5th on school’s all time records list. He also caught 25 passes caught for 355 yards on a 13.1 average.

### Buffalo Bills

McGahee was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the 23rd pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. McGahee did not play at all in his first season. This was because McGahee was only a rookie, was dealing with injuries, and Travis Henry was already a starter. However, McGahee passed 1,000 yards the next two seasons and scored 13 total times in 2004. In 2006, McGahee's rushing total dropped to 990 yards on 259 carries, plus six touchdowns. He wore #21.

### Baltimore Ravens

The Bills traded McGahee to the Baltimore Ravens. McGahee was voted to his only Pro Bowl in 2007 for Baltimore after rushing for 1,207 yards on 294 carries and eight total touchdowns. However, the Ravens missed the playoffs on a 5-11 mark. McGahee was about the only offensive brightspot for the Ravens that year, wearing #23.

In 2008, McGahee struggled with injuries. His statistics dropped to 170 attempts, 671 yards, and 7 scores, including a 77 yard touchdown to help win a game against the Dallas Cowboys. He was carted off the field after colliding (hitting into) Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark in an AFC Championship loss.

McGahee's playing time was limited by Ray Rice and Le'Ron McClain in 2009 and 2010.

On July 26, 2011, McGahee (and Kelly Gregg, Derrick Mason, and Todd Heap) were released to help give younger players a chance and save salary cap space.

### Denver Broncos

McGahee signed with the Denver Broncos. He rushed for 249 yards, 1,999 yards, and five total touchdowns for Denver.

### Cleveland Browns

In 2014, McGahee played for the Cleveland Browns.

## Other websites

- Willis McGahee at baltimoreravens.com
- Official Site

## References

- Bills hoping Lynch will run ball, not his mouth
- Ravens to cut McGahee, Gregg, Mason, and Heap

## Infobox (nfl player)

- **name**: Willis McGahee
- **image**: Willis McGahee 2012.JPG
- **image size**: 275px
- **number**: 21, 23, 26
- **position**: Running back
- **birth place**: Miami, Miami, Florida
- **height ft**: 6
- **height in**: 0
- **weight lbs**: 235
- **high school**: Miami Central High School, Miami Central
(West Little River, Florida)
- **college**: Miami Hurricanes football, Miami (FL)
- **draftyear**: 2003
- **draftround**: 1
- **draftpick**: 23
- **pastteams**: * Buffalo Bills (–)
* Baltimore Ravens (–)
* Denver Broncos (–)
* Cleveland Browns ()
- **highlights**: * 2× Pro Bowl (2008 Pro Bowl, 2007, 2012 Pro Bowl, 2011)
* National Football League Comeback Player of the Year Award#PFW.2FPFWA Comeback Player of the Year award .281972.E2.80.93present.29, PFWA NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2004)
* BCS National Championship, BCS national champion (2002 Rose Bowl, 2001)
* Big East Conference football individual awards, Big East Offensive Player of the Year (2002)
* Consensus College Football All-America Team, All-American (2002 College Football All-America Team, 2002)
* First-team All-Big East Conference football, Big East (2002)
- **statlabel1**: Rushing attempts
- **statvalue1**: 2,095
- **statlabel2**: Rushing yards
- **statvalue2**: 8,474
- **statlabel3**: Rushing touchdowns
- **statvalue3**: 65
- **statlabel4**: Receptions
- **statvalue4**: 210
- **statlabel5**: Receiving yards
- **statvalue5**: 1,339
- **statlabel6**: Receiving touchdowns
- **statvalue6**: 5
- **nfl**: MCG001995
- **pfr**: M/McGaWi00