Marlon McCree Marlon Tarron McCree ( born March 17 , 1977 in Orlando , Florida ) was an American football safety who is currently an assistant defensive backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars . He was drafted by the Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft . He played college football at Kentucky . McCree also played for the Houston Texans , Carolina Panthers , San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos . Early years . McCree survived a tumultuous childhood in inner - city Orlando during the 1980s and 90s that saw him lose an older brother , Cameron , to leukemia . But with the guidance of family members , teachers and other mentors , McCree was able to excel at Atlantic High School in Port Orange , Florida , where he was a letterman in football , basketball , and track . A first - team , all - state member in his senior season , McCree was Atlantic ' s first Division 1 - A signee . College career . McCree was a four - year letterman ( 1997 – 2000 ) at the University of Kentucky . A three - year starter , he arrived at Kentucky as a strong safety , but moved to linebacker midway through his redshirt freshman season . McCree ' s career totals included 219 tackles ( 46 for loss ) , 14 . 5 quarterback sacks , two interceptions , three caused fumbles and six fumble recoveries . He also led the Wildcats to two bowl appearances ( 1998 Outback Bowl , 1999 Music City Bowl ) . McCree graduated with a degree in finance . Professional career . 2001 NFL Draft . McCree was drafted in the 7th round 233rd overall of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars . Though unheralded , McCree immediately made an impact in training camp with Jacksonville , and assumed a starting role early in his rookie season . Jacksonville Jaguars . McCree received significant playing time during his first two seasons , playing in all but three games , and making six interceptions in 2002 . Houston Texans . McCree was waived by the Jaguars in 2003 and was picked up by the Houston Texans . On December 21 , 2003 he scored his first career touchdown , a 95 yard interception return off of the Tennessee Titans ' Steve McNair . Carolina Panthers . McCree was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers prior to the 2005 NFL season , where he served as the starting free safety . McCree recorded three interceptions in the regular season , but truly made his mark in the first playoff game of his career . On January 8 , 2006 , McCree played smothering defense in Carolina ' s first round game against the New York Giants . His second interception of the game of New York ' s Eli Manning preserved a 20 - 0 lead , and effectively put the Panthers ahead for good . Carolina won , 23 - 0 . " We were always overlooked . We don ' t know why that is , " said McCree after the victory . " We ' ve got the third best defense in the league . Sooner or later , we ' ll get the respect and recognition that we deserve . " San Diego Chargers . On March 11 , 2006 , the San Diego Chargers signed McCree to a five - year deal through 2010 . McCree ' s tenure with the Chargers was defined by suffocating defense , aggressive , game - changing hits , and a fierce determination to win . During a January 14 , 2007 , against the New England Patriots , McCree had a critical fourth quarter interception with the Chargers leading , 21 - 13 . However , while tackling McCree following the interception , Patriots wide receiver Troy Brown managed to strip the ball away from him . Reche Caldwell would recover for the Patriots . San Diego ' s defense was unable to stop New England on the drive that followed , and the Patriots scored a touchdown and a two - point conversion to tie the game at 21 . The Patriots eventually won , 24 - 21 . “ Anytime I get the ball I am going to try and score regardless , " said McCree . " Troy Brown stripped it . He made a great play , and I was trying to make a big play . ( In ) hindsight I don ' t regret it because I would never try and just go down on the ( ground ) . I want to score . ” The following season , almost a year to the day , McCree would exact a measure of redemption . On January 13 , 2008 , late in the fourth quarter of a playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts , Peyton Manning was driving Indy toward what appeared to be a go - ahead score . But on third down and five , McCree delivered a vicious hit on Indianapolis wide receiver Reggie Wayne , knocking Wayne out of the game and forcing the Colts to use their final timeout . " As an emphatic hush fell over the crowd , " wrote Jim McCabe in the Boston Globe , " the reality of the situation sank in , thanks to McCree ' s superb play . It was now fourth and 5 and Manning was without any timeouts or either of his prized wideouts , Marvin Harrison having left the game with a sore knee and Wayne having been shown the sideline courtesy of McCree ' s hit . . . When on the following snap Manning delivered his third straight incompletion , McCree could celebrate along with his teammates . This time , he had performed with textbook precision with a playoff game hinging on his split - second thinking . " McCree and the Chargers would advance to the AFC Championship game , where they would lose a rematch with the New England Patriots . On February 28 , 2008 the Chargers released McCree to allow more playing time for the younger safety , Eric Weddle . Denver Broncos . On March 8 , 2008 , McCree was signed by the Denver Broncos . Second Stint with Jaguars . McCree re - signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on June 3 , 2009 . He was released by the Jaguars on September 5 , 2009 . Coaching career . On January 17 , 2012 , McCree reached a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars to return to the team as an assistant coach .