John Kenneth McKay[1] (born March 28, 1953) is a former American football player, trial attorney, and executive with positions at the Alliance of American Football (AAF) and the University of Southern California. As a professional athlete, McKay played wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1976 to 1978.
 McKay in 2011 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | March 28, 1953 Eugene, Oregon, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 182 lb (83 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Bishop Amat (CA) | ||||||||
| College: | USC | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1975 / round: 16 / pick: 394 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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College career
editMcKay played college football at USC, where he played on the 1972 and 1974 National Championship teams and caught, among many others, a 38-yard touchdown pass from long time best friend, quarterback Pat Haden in the fourth quarter of the 1975 Rose Bowl game. He was named co-MVP of the game along with Haden.[2][3]
McKay was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1998.[4]
Professional career
editHe was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 16th round of the 1975 NFL draft, but opted instead to play for the Southern California Sun of the World Football League due to a dislike for the Cleveland area.[5] After the WFL ceased operations midway through its 1975 season, the Browns made him available in the 1976 NFL expansion draft, where he was selected by the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[6] In Tampa Bay, McKay started at receiver for three controversial seasons. Quarterback Steve Spurrier's belief that McKay was playing ahead of better receivers because he was the son of head coach John McKay, led him to throw passes over the vulnerable middle of the field in an attempt to get McKay injured.[7] McKay was considered a reliable pass-catcher[8] whom opposing defenses considered as a legitimate threat.[9] He was forced to retire due to complications from a broken hand.[10] Later appraisal has supported Spurrier's skepticism regarding McKay's playing time; a 2011 Deadspin article bestowed McKay the dubious honor of being named the fifth-worst NFL player ever, calling him "the biggest beneficiary of nepotism in NFL history" who "lacked NFL speed and separation" while highlighting his only 41 catches across three seasons.[11]
Post-playing career
editAfter retiring from professional football, McKay attended the Stetson University College of Law,[10] and became a trial attorney in the Tampa area. In 1986, he moved to Los Angeles and continued practicing law as a partner with the law firm of Allen, Matkins, Leck, Gamble & Mallory.[2] In 2001, he took a position as General Manager of the Los Angeles Xtreme in the XFL.[6] The Xtreme were the first and only champions of the XFL.
In 2010, McKay became Senior Associate Athletic Director of the University of Southern California, under the direction of his friend and former teammate Pat Haden.[12]
In 2018, he was announced as the Head of Football Operations of the Alliance of American Football.[13]
Personal life
editMcKay is a son of former USC Trojan and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach John McKay and the older brother of former Buccaneers general manager and Atlanta Falcons president, Rich McKay.[14]
McKay is married and has three children.[15][citation needed]
He is often referred to as "J. K." in the press, but is more commonly known as "John" or "Johnny".[5]
References
edit
- ^ David Wharton, Pat Haden is still a dashing figure, Los Angeles Times, July 24, 2010, Accessed July 25, 2010.
- ^ a b "XFL Confirms Team for Los Angeles: Los Angeles Coliseum to Host Home Games; J.K ..." corporate.wwe.com. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ Crouse, Karen (August 23, 2010). "Haden, Trojans' New Athletic Director, a Man of Many Fields". The New York Times. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ Ramirez, Stephen (September 9, 2015). "USC's JK McKay to speak at Pasadena QBs Club". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ a b Mizell, Hubert. "McKay's son: barrier to surmount". St. Petersburg Times. 6 Jul 1976. 1C
- ^ a b "BUCPOWER.COM". www.bucpower.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ Hummer, Steve. "Rozier Is One Gruff 'Husker". The Palm Beach Post. 2 Dec 1983. D4
- ^ Martz, Ron. "Bucs want it known: Some white receivers have speed". St. Petersburg Times. 25 Sep 1976. 1C
- ^ Ledger Staff. "Sunday Scouting Report: Tampa Bay at Dallas". Lakeland Ledger. 1 Oct 1977. 3D
- ^ a b Gurney, Jack. "Receiver Johnny McKay May Be Done As Buccaneer". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 7 Aug 1979. 1-C
- ^ "The Bottom 100: The Worst Players in NFL History". deadspin.com. 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Grant, James (July 20, 2010). "Pat Haden Named New Athletic Director - USC News". news.usc.edu. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (March 20, 2018). "New Pro Football League Sets 2019 Debut With CBS Sports Pact". Variety. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ Farmer, Sam (January 2, 2006). "Ahead of Their Time". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- ^ "J.K. McKay, Wide Receiver, University of Southern California | Rotary Club of Arcadia, CA". www.arcadiarotary.org. July 29, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2018.