Stephen McGee

Stephen McGee

Stephen McGee in 2012 with the Dallas Cowboys
No. 6 Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Position: Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: September 27, 1985
Place of birth: Round Rock, Texas
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school: Burnet (TX)
College: Texas A&M
NFL draft: 2009 / Round: 4 / Pick: 101
Career history
*Inactive and/or offseason member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2012
Pass attempts: 82
Pass completions: 46
Percentage: 56.1
TD–INT: 3–0
Passing yards: 420
QB Rating: 82.4
Stats at NFL.com

Stephen Richard McGee (born September 27, 1985) is an American football quarterback who is currently a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. He played college football for Texas A&M.

McGee came into A&M as a highly regarded passing quarterback, though had to play in an option offense for three years under head coach Dennis Franchione. When Franchione left and Mike Sherman took over, McGee had the chance to thrive in a pro-style offense his senior season. He fell short, however, due to a recurring shoulder injury.[1] He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2009 NFL Draft in the fourth round, number 101 overall.

High school career

McGee was a three-year starter at quarterback for Class 3A Burnet, where he led his team to a 36-5 combined record, including a 28-2 mark as a junior and senior. He did not throw a single interception during the regular season of his senior year. In both of those seasons, he led his team to the 3A state finals. He finished his high school career with 8,256 passing yards and a 3A state-record 101 passing touchdowns.[2] He was a two-time all-state selection and was named the 3A Offensive Most Valuable Player after his senior season.

He also played basketball and track and field, earning all-district honors in both. A straight-A student, McGee was Burnet's best student-athlete and graduated 9th in his senior class of over 250. He graduated high school a semester early.[3]

McGee attended high school with former University of Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley who was recently waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 8/31/2012. They both still remain close friends and hunting partners.[4]

College career

2005 season

After redshirting the 2004 season, McGee played his debut game as an Aggie against SMU in 2005, compiling 3-of-3 passes for 56 yards in a 66–8 victory. He continued to play as a backup to starter Reggie McNeal in the games against Colorado, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. He took over the starting role for the final two games of the season due to an injury to McNeal. In those two games, McGee rushed for 175 yards on 34 carries (5.1 per carry) and completed 9-of-29 passes for 83 yards, while leading the Aggies to 10 scoring opportunities on 19 drives. During the final matchup against Texas, though McGee outrushed Texas quarterback Vince Young 108 yards to 19, the Aggies lost 29–40 to the Longhorns.[5]

For the 2005 season, McGee recorded 24-of-53 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns and one interception in eight games. He rushed for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries (5.5 average).

2006 season

During the 2006 season, McGee started all 13 games, leading the team to a 9–4 record. He led the Aggies to a 12-7 victory over rival Texas with a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. The A&M victory helped end the hopes of the 2006 UT team at winning back-to-back Big 12 Conference championship and at a third consecutive Bowl Championship Series berth.[6]

During the 2006 season, McGee broke the A&M single-season completion record, successfully completing 62% of his passes, recording 12 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions.[7]

McGee in an October 2007 game.

2007 season

In June 2007, McGee appeared on the cover of Dave Campbell's Texas Football alongside Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and TCU defensive end Tommy Blake.

On October 20, 2007, McGee was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 167 yards on 35 carries against Nebraska.[8] McGee passed for a career-high of 362 yards in the 2007 Texas game, leading his team to a second consecutive victory over the Longhorns.[9]

In the 2007 season, McGee contributed to 62 percent of the team's total offensive yards. He passed for 2,311 and rushed for 899 yards.[2]

2008 season

Prior to the 2008 season, Mike Sherman took over as the Aggies' head coach. McGee competed for the starting job with sophomore Jerrod Johnson.[10][11] He was named the starter for the season opener against Arkansas State on August 30, 2008. The Aggies lost the game 18–14. In the second game against New Mexico, McGee sprained his shoulder. Johnson replaced McGee for the remainder of the game.[12] In the following game against Army, McGee re-aggravated his shoulder during the second quarter and likewise had to sit out for the rest of the game.

McGee did not see action in the following two games against Oklahoma State and Kansas State. In the Texas Tech game, he entered the field for one play, which he used to throw a 3-yard touchdown.[13] Afterwards, he did not play in the victories against Iowa State and Colorado. He saw action in the home matchup against Oklahoma, which also happened to be Senior Day. He entered the game in the third quarter to a standing ovation from the fans. He finished the game completing 10-of-19 passes for 82 yards. The Aggies lost to the Sooners 66–28. He played his last and final game against Texas, accumulating 16-of-24 passes for 207 yards, and 3 rushing attempts for a negative 20 yards in a 49–9 loss.[14][15][16][17][18][19]

After the season, McGee was named the 2008 winner of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' National Bobby Bowden Award, which recognizes the "student athlete who conducts himself as a faith model in the community, in the classroom and on the field".[20]

In the East-West Shrine Game on January 17, 2009, McGee shared the quarterback role for the West team, completing 9-of-14 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown in a 24–19 loss.[21]

College awards

Professional career

Pre-draft

At the 2009 NFL Combine, McGee ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash, which ranked second in his group.[26] He came in 4th after recording 33.0 inches in the vertical jump, and 5th with his 9'4" in the broad jump.[27] He weighed 222 pounds and measured 6-foot-2⅞ at the Texas A&M Pro Day on March 4, 2009.[28]

Pre-draft measureables
Ht Wt 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20 ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP Wonderlic
6-2⅞ * 225 lb * 4.61 * 1.53 * 2.63 * 4.49 * 7.34 * 33 in. * 9'04" * 24 * 35 *

(* represents NFL Combine)

Dallas Cowboys

In the 2009 NFL Draft, McGee was picked by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (101st overall). He became the first quarterback drafted by the Cowboys since Quincy Carter in 2001, and the second since 1991.[29] The Cowboys believed him to be a project player since he was mostly an option quarterback in college. However, they also believed he had a strong arm, the build, and the work ethic to succeed.[30] He signed a four-year deal with the Cowboys on July 28, 2009.[31]

McGee made his first start in the 2010 preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins, leading Dallas to a 27–25 victory over Miami's first-stringers, while completing 27-of-42 passes for 304 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.[32][33]

After starter Tony Romo was placed on injured reserve in 2010, McGee became the Cowboys' second-string quarterback, behind Jon Kitna. During the 2010 Christmas Day game against the Arizona Cardinals, McGee replaced the injured Kitna in the second half, and made his first regular season touchdown pass. The touchdown gave the Cowboys a 26–24 lead with 1:47 remaining, but the Cardinals soon scored a field goal to win 27–26. McGee recorded 11-of-17 passes for 111 yards and a quarterback rating of 102.8.[34][35] In the Cowboys' season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, McGee started his first NFL game. He went 11-27, 127 yards, and a touchdown pass to Jason Witten with 55 seconds left to give Dallas a 14-13 victory over their divisional rival.

During the 2011 Christmas Eve 20–7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, McGee replaced the injured Romo and completed 24-of-38 passes for 182 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.[36]

Although the Cowboys looked to groom him as the backup quarterback, after Jon Kitna retired in 2012, the Cowboys were forced to sign Kyle Orton to take over that role, because McGee could never display the ability to throw the ball downfield on a consistent basis. On September 1, 2012, he was waived before the start of the season.

Houston Texans

He signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Houston Texans on January 24, 2013.[37] He was released on August 26.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL)

On September 25, 2013, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, to serve as the backup for quarterback Henry Burris.[38] He was declared a free agent at the end of the 2014 season.

Career statistics

Passing

Year Team Att Comp Int Pct Yds TD Effic
2003 Burnet HS 313 196 3 62.6 3579 47 --
HS Totals 765 444 16 58.0 8256 101 --
2005 Texas A&M 53 24 1 45.3 283 2 98.81
2006 Texas A&M 313 194 2 62.0 2295 12 134.90
2007 Texas A&M 364 211 8 58.0 2311 12 117.80
2008 Texas A&M 85 56 2 65.9 586 2 126.90
College Totals 815 485 13 59.5 5475 28 124.10

Sources:[39][40]

Personal life

McGee completed his undergraduate coursework in less than four years, receiving a B.B.A. in marketing from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University in August 2007. He completed his M.S. in Marketing at Mays in 2008.[3]

McGee enjoys hunting. His dream job is to become a professional deer hunter.

McGee is married, to wife, Britney.[41][42]

References

  1. ↑ "Big 12: Texas A&M's McGee has no regrets".
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Citizens Voice - Texas A&M’s McGee: ‘Not your typical quarterback&#146
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Measley, Travis (2007-08-31). "Aggie quarterback has done a great deal in football, life". The Battalion. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  4. ↑ Duncan, Chris (2007-11-20). "A&M quarterback ready for quiet time after rocky season". Associated Press (Dallas Morning News). Archived from the original on 2007-11-24. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  5. ↑ "Texas vs Texas A&M (Nov 25, 2005)". Texas A&M University Athletic Department. Archived from the original on 2006-10-19. Retrieved 2007-03-15.
  6. ↑ Robbins, Kevin (25 November 2006). "Now what for Texas? - Aggies' dominance forces Horns to look for help from Sooners.". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2006-11-25.
  7. ↑ http://www.aggiesports.com/Sports/McGee-s-lagacy-starting-against-Oklahoma-M
  8. ↑ Griffin, Tim (2007-10-21). "Big 12 Weekly Report". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
  9. ↑ Treon, Ricky (2007-11-24). "Texas A&M's passing leaves UT defenseless". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2007-11-24.
  10. ↑ "Big 12 Media Day: New Aggies coach wants QB to earn starting job".
  11. ↑ "Aggies confident QB is three-dimensional".
  12. ↑ "McGee sprains shoulder, could play against Miami".
  13. ↑ "Harrell has 5 TDs in Texas Tech's win over A&M".
  14. ↑ "A&M's McGee, Lane enjoy a rare moment in '08".
  15. ↑ "McGee disappointed with turns that senior season has taken".
  16. ↑ "Stephen McGee has it in perspective for Texas A&M Aggies".
  17. ↑ "Texas A&M's McGee takes troubles in stride".
  18. ↑ "McGee a quandary for Texas".
  19. ↑ "Texas A&M backup QB wants one more shot at Texas".
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "A&M's McGee Wins Fellowship Of Christian Athletes/Bobby Bowden Athlete Of The Year Award".
  21. ↑ "EAST 24, WEST 19".
  22. ↑ "2006 AT&T All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced".
  23. ↑ "2007 All-Big 12 Football Awards Announced".
  24. ↑ "2007 Academic All-Big 12 Football Team Announced".
  25. ↑ "2008 Academic All-Big 12 Football Team Announced".
  26. ↑ "Combine Top Performers - 40 yard dash".
  27. ↑ "Combine top performers - broad jump".
  28. ↑ "Aggies QB McGee shines in Texas A&M Pro Day".
  29. ↑ "Cowboys pick up Aggies QB McGee, Tech DE Williams in fourth".
  30. ↑ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/texansfront/7353579.html
  31. ↑ "Jason Williams, Stephen McGee agree to deals".
  32. ↑ "Final Kick".
  33. ↑ "McGee testy in postgame comments".
  34. ↑ http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/jtaylor/stories/122610dnspotaylor.4ed3158e.html
  35. ↑ http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=39C5D8F9-CD76-9D7B-12A3F53D32DB8BFA
  36. ↑ http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=7CDEDA0F-A851-7149-EB79899E412F1E78
  37. ↑ "Report:Eight signed to Reserve/Future contracts". 2013-01-24.
  38. ↑ "TIGER-CATS SIGN FORMER COWBOYS QB MCGEE". 2013-09-25.
  39. ↑ "Stephen McGee". Texas A&M University Athletic Department. Retrieved 2009-01-16.
  40. ↑ "NCAA Division I Football". NCAA. Retrieved 2009-01-16.
  41. ↑ Miller, John (2007-11-19). "When he speaks, the Aggies listen". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  42. ↑ "A&M's McGee keeps sight set on NFL future".

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