Phil McConkey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Philip Joseph McConkey (b. 1957) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the New York Giants(1984-1988), Phoenix Cardinals(1989), and San Diego Chargers(1989)
Before his NFL career, McConkey played college football at the United States Naval Academy. He then served 4 years in the navy as an officer before signing with the Giants as a 27-year old rookie.
In his 6 NFL seasons, McConkey was used as a reserve receiver, and frequently returned punts and kickoffs on special teams. Statistically, his best season was in 1985, when he caught 25 passes for 404 yards, returned 53 punts for 442 yards, and gained 234 yards returning kickoffs.
McConkey is best remembered for his performance in the Super Bowl XXI after the 1986 season, which the Giants won 39-20 over the Denver Broncos. In the game, his 25-yard punt return set up a New York field goal. Then on the Giants next drive, his 44-yard reception on a flea flicker play set gave New York a first down on Denver's 1-yard line, setting up a touchdown on the next play. In the fourth quarter, McConkey caught a 6-yard touchdown reception after the pass bounced off the fingertips of tight end Mark Bavaro. Overall, McConkey contributed 50 receiving yards, 25 punt return yards, and 1 touchdown in the Giants victory. He also caught a 28-yard touchdown pass in New York's divisional playoff win over the San Francisco 49ers a few weeks earlier.
McConkey finished his 6 NFL seasons with 67 receptions for 1,113 yards and 2 touchdowns, 228 punt returns for 1,832 yards, and 69 kickoff returns for 1,324 yards in 84 games.
