Marcus McNeill Marcus McNeill ( born November 16 , 1983 ) is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League ( NFL ) for six seasons . He played college football for Auburn University , and was two - time All - American . The San Diego Chargers selected McNeill in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft , and he played his entire pro career for the Chargers . He was selected for the Pro Bowl twice . Early years . McNeill was born in Chicago , Illinois . He attended Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood , Georgia ( a small suburb of Atlanta ) , and played both offensive and defensive line for the Cedar Grove Saints , earning SuperPrep All - American honors . He played in the Georgia - Florida High School All - Star Game as a senior . McNeill was also a standout track star finishing second in the state in the shot put . College career . McNeill attended Auburn University , where he played for coach Tommy Tuberville ' s Auburn Tigers football team from 2002 to 2005 . He started 28 total games in his four years as a lineman . He blocked for future NFL running backs Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown , and allowed only one quarterback sack as a guard . Following his 2004 junior season during which he helped lead the Auburn Tigers to an undefeated 13 - 0 record , he was a first - team All - SEC selection , and a first - team All - American . After his senior season in 2005 , he again received first - team All - SEC honors and was recognized as a consensus first - team All - American ; he was later named to " The Sporting News " All - Decade Team . NFL career . 2006 NFL Draft . McNeill was selected with the 50th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2006 NFL Draft . McNeill worked out at D1 Sports Training in Nashville , TN prior to the NFL Draft . Despite a stellar college career at Auburn , many teams were worried about McNeill ' s injury history ; namely having spinal stenosis or a narrowing of the spine and the fact that he did not do much weight training at Auburn . McNeill was unable to lift during pre - draft workouts due to a fractured right hand . Despite these obstacles , McNeill still impressed with his physically imposing size and 35⅜ " arms . San Diego Chargers . Despite being the seventh lineman selected in the 2006 draft and playing the majority of the season with broken hands , McNeill was voted a first alternate to the 2007 Pro Bowl and made the team after an injury to starter Willie Anderson . Commentator Len Pasquarelli of ESPN . com referred to him late in the 2006 season as " one of the elite left tackles " in the NFL . A rookie starter at left tackle for the entire season , McNeill was a crucial component of the offensive line that blocked for running back LaDainian Tomlinson as he established a number of single season offensive records . The majority of Tomlinson ' s long gains came from running behind the left side of the offensive line , behind McNeill and guard Kris Dielman . McNeill was not called for a single holding penalty in the 2006 season . McNeill finished 4th in voting for the 2007 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year , a remarkable finish for an offensive lineman . He was named the Offensive Rookie of the Month for September . The next season McNeill was again named to the Pro Bowl after Jonathan Ogden pulled out . In 2010 McNeill was a holdout from Chargers camp . He ended his hold out on September 25 and reported to the San Diego Chargers . A few days after ending his hold out , McNeill and the Chargers agreed to a 6 year , $ 48 . 895 million deal . After managing to play only nine games in 2011 due to poor health , numerous sources expected the Chargers to release McNeill in the offseason . On March 13 , 2012 , he was released . Retirement . On August 9 , 2012 , he announced his retirement from the NFL .