Is Willis McGahee in the Hall of Fame?
Is Willis McGahee in the Hall of Fame?
By Edcel Panganiban August 05, 2024 22:08
Since joining the league, Willis McGahee has carved out a name for himself in the annals of the NFL after explosive running and resilient efforts. Before there are more talks about his Hall of Fame candidacy, let's take a deep dive into McGahee's professional career and achievements. This article goes into those categories to discuss whether McGahee should be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame honoree.
Early Life and College Career
Willis Andrew McGahee Jr. was born in Miami, Florida, on October 20th, 1981. He played high school football at Miami Central High School, where he boasted himself as one of the best running back prospects in his class. McGahee ultimately elected to play for the University of Miami, spending 2000 as a redshirt. His college career ascended in 2001 when he played a big part in the Hurricane's success, which helped them win the National Championship that year.
McGahee finally emerged in 2002 when he ran for a school record and NCAA-best 28 touchdowns and rushed for another state record of rushing yards with 1,753 total. Over his career, he totaled ten 100-yard games, a school record, highlighted by a six-touchdown performance against Virginia Tech, where he ran for 205 yards. His college accolades include consensus All-American honors and a finalist for the Doak Walker Award and Heisman Trophy. Although he tore three knee ligaments in the Fiesta Bowl, McGahee entered the NFL Draft.
NFL Career Overview
McGahee was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent 12 NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills (2003-06), Baltimore Ravens (2007-10), Denver Broncos (2011-12), and Cleveland Browns in 2013.
Successes and Stats
- Buffalo Bills (2004-06): McGahee immediately made his presence known as a top-tier running back. He played the season with a torn knee ligament but still rushed for 1,128 yards and scored 13 touchdowns to earn NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2004. He still played incredibly well, rushing for over 1,200 yards in 2005 and then again with just under that mark at a total of the exact number from Blount's career high-990 in 2006.
- Baltimore Ravens (2007-2010): McGahee was a steady producer during his time with the Ravens. In 2009, he ran for 1,207 yards and was an X-factor in the team's four playoff runs. His ability to deliver in clutch moments further enhanced his early career reputation as a dependable back.
- Denver Broncos (2011-2012): He finished just 19 yards shy of breaking the 1,000-yard mark in his final season as a pro. World-class speed was never an issue for him. This became even more important when the team changed quarterback from Peyton Manning, as his leadership and experience proved key during this period.
- Cleveland Browns (2013): McGahee was seen as a veteran presence in his last season, although the results were lacking.
McGahee wraps up his career with 8,474 rushing yards and 65 touchdowns, along with 1,339 receiving yards. His rare mix of speed and power made him a transcendent force on the field.
Career Achievements
Although the stats bode well for someone with Hall of Famer status, often enough, when we are speaking about the hall, certain numbers don't speak as tall without also considering impact and longevity along with accolades, if any. While neither of his Pro Bowl seasons produced 1,000 rushing yards from scrimmage (2004 and 2010), McGahee rebounded with two more in another style that defined him: relentless. But he never earned the crown of league MVP or a leading rusher, two often crucial bullet points in Hall of Fame talks.
Hall of a Fame Induction Determining Elements
Awards and Accolades
As for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, McGahee has had a nice career filled with accomplishments, including two 1,000-yard seasons and 68 touchdowns, including playoffs, but having league MVPs or All-Pro bids could help here. Not winning awards can often be used as a stick to beat someone with when performance levels reach the high standard McGahee set.
Longevity and Consistency
One positive for Hall of Fame consideration is that McGahee had a double-digit career spanning over a decade. This is more apparent in the following years, though his production was still inconsistent towards the end of it. Hall of Fame running backs need consistency in their play, which McGahee had among a few flashes until his career went downhill.
Impact on the Game
His tough and clutch style of play helped his teams in crunch time, especially in the postseason. Yet his impact on the sport as a whole may not be felt to quite the same extent that some other Hall of Fame running backs will when they help transform what was expected of the position or are slightly more entrenched in popular culture.
Even though McGahee had a very successful and durable career with impressive stats that resulted in big contributions to his teams, he is still on the fence as far as a Hall of Famer. His accomplishments, however great, may not stack up with many of the Hall of Fame running backs. Variants include a lack of major awards, up-and-down production, and general impact on the game.
Now, while he's not already in the hall of fame, his legacy as one of those talented but focused runners will be hailed by fans and marked men for life.
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