Rich McKay
Rich McKay is the president, CEO, former general manager of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they won Super Bowl XXXVII. McKay is the youngest son of the late John McKay, the Buccaneers' first head coach. McKay was a ball boy for the Buccaneers. While his father was head coach at USC in Los Angeles, McKay played quarterback at Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, CA; when John McKay took the Tampa Bay job he moved his family, including son Rich, to Florida where McKay played quarterback his senior year at Jesuit High School of Tampa the 1976–1977 season. He earned his bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 1981 and graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1984. Prior to entering the NFL, McKay was an attorney with the Tampa law firm of Hill and Henderson, he and his wife, have two sons and John. As the new general manager for the Buccaneers from 1994 to 2003, McKay directed six teams that reached the NFC playoffs and one team that won a Super Bowl title.
In 1996, McKay hired Tony Dungy as head coach, in 1999 the Bucs played in the NFC Championship Game. During his tenure as general manager, McKay drafted players such as Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Mike Alstott, Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn. McKay constructed the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning roster that featured seven Pro Bowl players; the Buccaneers' 41 Pro Bowl selections between 1997 through 2002 were the most in the NFL. Sapp and Brooks – both selected by McKay in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft – are now both members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sapp was enshrined in August 2013. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, McKay is the only General Manager in 94-year history of the NFL to have his first two draft picks as a GM be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1998, McKay President and General Manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, worked with the Glazer Family, the city of Tampa, former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, Tampa Stadium Authority on the successful construction and opening of Raymond James Stadium.
In December 2003, McKay left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was introduced as president and general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. In his first season of directing operations, the Falcons went to the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. In January 2008, the Falcons hired Thomas Dimitroff as general manager, relegating McKay to the position of team president although McKay negotiated Matt Ryan's contract. McKay's Falcons in 2010-2011 had 9 Pro Bowlers. Sixteen years after building Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, McKay, as President and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, has worked with Falcons Chairman and Owner Arthur M. Blank, the city of Atlanta, the Georgia World Congress Center stadium authority to secure approval and financing for the Falcons to begin construction on a new, $1.2 billion stadium that will be built in downtown Atlanta. The Falcons broke ground on the new building on May 19, 2014, the stadium, known as Mercedes Benz Stadium, opened on August 26, 2017. McKay is believed to be the only current NFL executive, the point person for the negotiations and construction of two NFL stadiums.
McKay is the longest standing member in the history of the NFL Competition Committee, making him one of the more influential executives in the league. For the past ten+ years, McKay has served on the NFL Management Council Working Group of League executives that helps advise on collective bargaining issues. During the 2011 off-season, McKay played a pivotal role in navigating the difficult waters in helping to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with the players that resulted in labor peace for the next ten years. McKay is a member of the NFL's Health & Safety Committee
2006 Pro Bowl
The 2006 Pro Bowl was the National Football League's all-star game for the 2005 season. The game was played on February 2006, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, it marked the 27th consecutive time that the National Football League's all-star game was held in Honolulu. The NFC all-stars won by the score of 23 to 17; the start of the game was interrupted by a surprise rainstorm that lasted through the first quarter, although it ended midway through the second. Both teams' first possessions were punted away, each of their second drives ended in interceptions; the AFC scored first on their next drive, culminating with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Chris Chambers. After the teams traded punts, Michael Vick took over for the NFC in the second quarter, led the team to the AFC 15-yard line, where Neil Rackers kicked a 32-yarder to make it 7–3. Manning led the AFC right back down the field, Shayne Graham's 31-yard field goal increased the AFC's lead. On the NFC's next drive, Champ Bailey intercepted Vick for the AFC's second turnover.
However, the NFC's defense responded with another interception. The NFC was forced to punt it away on their next drive, however there was some controversy on the return. Jerome Mathis was set to receive the punt deep in the AFC's zone, when the kick from Josh Bidwell came near him, he opted not to touch it. However, it glanced off his leg and rolled into the end zone, where the NFC recovered it for a touchdown. However, the officials did not see the ball hit Mathis, since there is no instant replay in a Pro Bowl game, NFC coach John Fox could not challenge the call; the AFC took over on their own 20, but soon afterward the NFC defense came up with another interception. Roy Williams intercepted a Manning pass and returned it 11 yards before handing it off to the Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall, who took it 57 yards to the AFC's 20. Michael Vick hit tight end Alge Crumpler with a 14-yard touchdown pass with 8 seconds left in the half to tie the score at 10–10. Jake Delhomme of the Carolina Panthers took over at quarterback at the start of the third quarter, hit Steve Smith, with three straight passes.
The Carolina Panthers provided the NFC's team with their coaching staff, with the Panthers' quarterback and wide receiver running the offense, the NFC moved down the field. The drive stalled at midfield, the NFC punted it away. After the AFC's drive, led by Chiefs' quarterback Trent Green, ended in a punt, Delhomme once again moved the NFC downfield before being sacked by Casey Hampton, forcing a fumble, recovered by the AFC's Marcus Stroud; the NFC's defense once again responded, on the third play of the drive, Derrick Brooks returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown that gave the NFC the lead at 17–10. After the AFC punted away their next drive, Santana Moss fumbled the ball away in AFC territory. Green led the AFC down the field again, thanks in large part to a 20-yard run by his Chiefs teammate, Larry Johnson. Green tied the game at 17–17 with a one-yard quarterback sneak. Matt Hasselbeck took over for the NFC again, led the team on a scoring drive, ending with a 22-yard field goal by Rackers that gave the NFC the lead again.
Steve McNair came in for a play at AFC quarterback, promptly fumbled the ball away. After the NFC punted the ball away, McNair came back and lost another fumble, giving the NFC the ball on their own 18-yard line. Following the fumble, the AFC switched to a shotgun formation. After another Rackers field goal, the AFC took over on their own 26 with 1:10 left. McNair brought the AFC to midfield, but could not get them the touchdown they needed, the game ended on a sack by the New York Giants' Michael Strahan. Brooks was given the Most Valuable Player award. AFC – TD Chris Chambers 16 yd. pass from Peyton Manning – 5:09 1st NFC – FG Neil Rackers 32 yd. – 7:45 2nd AFC – FG Shayne Graham 31 yd. – 3:22 2nd NFC – TD Alge Crumpler 14 yd. pass from Michael Vick – 0:08 2nd NFC – TD Derrick Brooks 59 yd. interception return – 5:01 3rd AFC – TD Trent Green 1 yd. run – 12:47 4th NFC – FG Neil Rackers 22 yd. – 6:29 4th NFC – FG Neil Rackers 20 yd. – 1:10 4th Source SourceNotes: a Replacement selection due to injury or vacancy b Injured player.
Of the top ten vote-getters, all were offensive players and seven, including four of the top five, hailed from the AFC. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning led all players, garnering 1,184,142 votes, a new single-player record, narrowly edging out Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander and Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson. On the defensive side, AFC players filled six of the top ten spots, though Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher led all defenders, earning 420,983 votes. Among NFL rookies, Buccaneers running back Carnell Williams was the leading vote-getter, receiving 219,736 votes to surpass Steele
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor "Roddy" White is a former American football wide receiver who played his entire professional career with the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at UAB, was drafted by the Falcons in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. White attended James Island High School in Charleston, South Carolina, was a four-sport letterman and standout in football, baseball and wrestling. In football, he was a two-time All-Lowcountry honoree, a two-time All-State honoree, was listed as one of the top receivers in the nation on Rivals.com. In wrestling, he was a two-time state champion pinning his opponent in a move, coined the "Shanaz". White attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was a standout wide receiver for the UAB Blazers football team, he caught 163 passes for 26 touchdowns in four seasons. He played under head coach Watson Brown while at UAB; as a freshman, White recorded meaningful statistics in six games. On October 13, against the Cincinnati Bearcats, he recorded his first collegiate touchdown.
On December 12, against the Pitt Panthers, he had a season-high four receptions for 75 yards. Overall, in his freshman season, he recorded 14 receptions for 236 yards and two touchdowns in his freshman season; as a sophomore, White saw an expanded role in the Blazers offense. On October 12, against the Houston Cougars, he recorded four receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. In the next game against the Tulane Green Wave, he recorded five receptions for 66 yards and another touchdown. On November 16, he had a career-day against the East Carolina Pirates with eight receptions for 159 yards and a touchdown. Overall, in his sophomore season, he recorded 39 receptions for three touchdowns; as a junior, White continued his productive college career with the Blazers. On September 4, against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, he recorded 10 receptions for 111 yards. On October 11, against the Cincinnati Bearcats, he had a breakout day with four receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. In the last three games of the season, he posted great results: 147 yards and two touchdowns against the Tulane Green Wave, 121 yards and a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls, 54 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Cougars.
Overall, in his junior season, he recorded 39 receptions for seven touchdowns. As a senior, White had his best collegiate season statistically. On September 25, against the Memphis Tigers, he had eight receptions for 177 yards and three touchdowns. On October 9, against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, he had seven receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns, he had career day against the Tulane Green Wave on October 23, with 10 receptions for 253 yards and a touchdown, it was his fifth straight game with a touchdown score. On November 13, against the Houston Cougars, he had eight receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns. On November 27, against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, he had four receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown. White helped lead UAB to their first bowl game in school history. In the 2004 Hawaii Bowl, White caught six passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in the 59-40 loss to the Hawaii Warriors, he finished his senior season with 71 receptions for 14 scores. White was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft with the 27th overall pick.
Although a high ankle sprain caused him to remain on the sidelines for much of the preseason, he recovered by Week 2 and was put on the team's roster. In Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, he was inserted in the lineup as the No. 3 receiver. During the course of the game, he recorded 64 yards on 5 catches. However, during the rest of the season, his performance was spotty, he made a fantastic leaping catch over three defenders on a trick play against the New Orleans Saints during Week 14 for a 54-yard touchdown, but dropped a crucial touchdown catch the next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In spite of this, he still had 108 yards receiving in that game, the second-highest receiving total put up by a rookie wide receiver in 2005, only surpassed by Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Matt Jones. White ranked fifth among all rookie wide receivers in 2005. In the 2006 season, White started five, he had his best game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys where he had three receptions for 104 yards.
His performance in his second season increased in comparison to his rookie season. He recorded 30 receptions for 505 yards in his second season. On September 23, against the Carolina Panthers, White had seven receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown. A few weeks against the New Orleans Saints, he had eight receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. On November 22, against the Indianapolis Colts, he had six receptions for a touchdown. In the next game, against the St. Louis Rams, he had 10 receptions for a season-high 146 yards and a touchdown. In the penultimate game of his third season, he had 12 receptions for 141 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. In a game against the New Orleans Saints, White showed his support for fellow Falcon Michael Vick by wearing a T-shirt that said "Free Mike Vick" and pulling up his jersey after scoring a touchdown. Earlier that day, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail on dogfighting charges. White was fined $10,000 by the league for his actions. White became the first Falcon wide receiver since Terance Mathis in 1999 to reach 1,000 single-season receiving yards on December 23, 2007 against the Arizona Cardinals.
He finished tied for eighth among all NFL wide receivers in receiving yards in 2007 with 1,202 yards. He had six receiving touchdowns. On September 21, 2008, in Week 3, he put together his first solid perform
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football coach for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football and former quarterback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Falcons as the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. During his six years with the Falcons, Vick was regarded as having transformed the quarterback position with his rushing abilities and was named to three Pro Bowls, he holds the record for the most career rushing yards by a quarterback and the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season. Vick's NFL career came to a halt in 2007 after he pleaded guilty for his involvement in a dog fighting ring and spent 21 months in federal prison, his arrest and subsequent conviction garnered Vick notoriety with the general public, which lasted throughout the rest of his career. He was released by the Falcons shortly before leaving prison. After serving his sentence, Vick signed with the Eagles in 2009.
As a member of the Eagles for five years, he enjoyed the greatest statistical season of his career and was named to a fourth Pro Bowl in 2010, but left Philadelphia after the team moved in a new direction. In his final two seasons in the NFL, Vick played for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers for one year each as a backup, he retired from professional football in 2017 after spending the entirety of the 2016 season in free agency. Vick was born in Newport News, Virginia as the second of four children to Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie unmarried teenagers, his mother worked two jobs, obtained public financial assistance and had help from her parents, while his father worked long hours in the shipyards as a sandblaster and spray-painter. They were married when Michael was about five years old, but the children elected to continue to use their "Vick" surname; the family lived in the Ridley Circle Homes, a public housing project in a financially depressed and crime-ridden neighborhood located in the East End section of the port city.
Local residents interviewed in a 2007 newspaper article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch noted that "not much changed" nearly a decade after Vick left. One resident said that there was drug dealing, drive-by shootings, other killings in the neighborhood, suggested that sports were a way out and a dream for many. In a 2001 interview, Vick told the Newport News Daily Press that when he was 10 or 11, "I would go fishing if the fish weren't biting, just to get away from the violence and stress of daily life in the projects."Boddie's employment required much travel, but he taught football skills to his two sons at an early age. Vick was only three years old when his father, nicknamed "Bullet" for his speed during his own playing days, began teaching him the fundamentals. Michael subsequently taught the game to Marcus Vick; as he grew up, Vick went by the nickname "Ookie", learned about football from Aaron Brooks, a second cousin, four years older. Vick and Brooks spent a lot of time at Girls Club. "Sports kept me off the streets," Vick told Sporting News magazine in an interview published April 9, 2001.
"It kept me from getting into, the bad stuff. Lots of guys I knew have had bad problems." Vick first came to prominence while at Homer L. Ferguson High School in Newport News; as a freshman, he impressed many with his athletic ability. Ferguson High School was closed in 1996 as part of a Newport News Public Schools building modernization program. Vick, as a sophomore, coach Tommy Reamon both moved to Warwick High School. Vick was a three-year starter for the Warwick Raiders. Under Reamon's coaching, he passed for 4,846 yards with 43 touchdowns, he added 18 scores on the ground. As a senior, he passed for 1,668 yards, as many rushing touchdowns. During one game, he threw for three touchdowns. Reamon, who had helped guide Brooks from Newport News to the University of Virginia, helped Michael with his SATs and helped him and his family choose between Syracuse University and Virginia Tech. Reamon favored Virginia Tech, where he felt better guidance was available under Frank Beamer, who promised to redshirt him and provide the freshman needed time to develop.
Reamon sold Michael on the school's proximity to family and friends, Vick chose to attend Virginia Tech. As he left the Newport News public housing projects in 1998 with a college football scholarship in hand, Vick was seen in the Newport News community as a success story. In his first collegiate game as a redshirt freshman against James Madison in 1999, Vick scored three rushing touchdowns in just over one quarter of play, he made a spectacular flip to score his last touchdown but landed awkwardly on his ankle, forcing him to miss the remainder of the game and all of the following game. During the season, Vick led a last-minute game-winning drive against West Virginia in the annual Black Diamond Trophy game, he led the Hokies to an 11-0 undefeated season and to the Bowl Championship Series national title game in the Nokia Sugar Bowl against Florida State. Although Virginia Tech lost 46–29, Vick brought the team back from a 21-point deficit to take a brief lead. During the season, Vick appeared on the cover of an ESPN The Magazine issue.
Vick led the NCAA in passing efficiency in 1999, a record for a freshman and the third-highest all-time mark. Vick won both an ESPY Award as the nation's top college player and the first-ever Archie Griffin Award as college football's most valuable player, he was invited to the 1999 Heisman Trophy presentation and finished third in the voting beh
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles football
For information on all Tennessee Technological University sports, see Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesThe Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the Tennessee Technological University located in the U. S. state of Tennessee. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference; the school's first football team was fielded in 1922. The team plays its home games at the 16,500 seat Tucker Stadium, they are coached by Dewayne Alexander. Tennessee Tech has won five shared and five outright, their ten Ohio Valley titles are the 2nd most in the conference, behind only Eastern Kentucky. † Co-championship The Golden Eagles have appeared in the FCS playoffs one time with an overall record of 0–1. The Golden Eagles have appeared in three bowl games with an overall record of 0–3. Loyall Duyck Putty Overall Hooper Eblen Star Wood Wilburn Tucker Don Wade Gary Darnell Jim Ragland Mike Hennigan Watson Brown Marcus Satterfield Larry Schreiber Elois Grooms Mike Hennigan Lonnie Warwick Jim Youngblood Da'Rick Rogers Howard Stidham Frank Omiyale 2007: 4–7 2008: 3–8 2009: 6–5 2010: 5–6 2011: 7–4 2012: 3–8 2013: 5–7 2014: 5–7 2015: 4–7 2016: 5–6 2017: 1–10 2018: 1-10 Official website
