Chris McAlister

Chris McAlister
No. 28, 31, 29
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1977-06-14) June 14, 1977
Place of birth: Pasadena, California
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school: Pasadena High School
College: Mt. San Antonio College, Arizona
NFL Draft: 1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL
College
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 431
Interceptions: 26
Touchdowns: 5
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Christopher James McAlister (born June 14, 1977) is a former American college and professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons. He played college football for the University of Arizona, and was recognized as an All-American. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft, and played for the Ravens for ten seasons before playing his final season with the New Orleans Saints. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, McAlister has earned one Super Bowl ring.[1]

Early years

McAlister was born in Pasadena, California, and attended Pasadena High School. As a high school football quarterback, he threw for 1,153 yards and rushed for 1,302 yards and also returned three punts and two interceptions for touchdowns. He won the conference player of the year and California's Most Valuable Player award in his senior year. McAlister also played basketball and, under Coach Bill Duwe, won the CIF championship in 1995. He also lettered in track. Pasadena High School retired his football jersey No. 9 in 2001.

College career

McAlister attended Mt. San Antonio College before transferring to the University of Arizona and playing for the Arizona Wildcats football team from 1996 to 1998. He had an illustrious career at Arizona where he won unanimous All-America first-team honors and was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection for 3 straight seasons. He is only the 7th player in college football history (1st in Arizona history) to return a kickoff, punt and interception for touchdowns in the same season.[2] His 18 interceptions at the end of his Arizona career ranked 3rd on the school's career-record chart behind Chuck Cecil and Jackie Wallace.

Professional career

Pre-draft

McAlister, at 205 pounds, ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash, 4.08 second 20-yard shuttle, 6.90 3-cone drill, and had a vertical jump of 38 inches at the 1999 NFL Combine[3]

Chris McAlister leaps to grap an interception while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens selected Chris McAlister in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft, as the tenth overall pick.

McAlister had a solid rookie season in which he recorded 47 tackles (45 solo), 5 interceptions, and 16 passes deflected. He made his NFL debut at the St. Louis Rams on September 12, 1999. At season's end, he was named to College & Pro Football Newsweekly's 1999 All-Rookie Team. McAlister had another solid season in 2000 as the Ravens won the Super Bowl and he had a key interception in Super Bowl XXXV against the New York Giants. During the regular season, he also intercepted New York Jets and former Baltimore Ravens QB Vinny Testaverde and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown.

McAlister set an NFL record for the longest play when he returned a missed field goal 107 yards for a touchdown during Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos on September 30, 2002. This record was later broken by Nathan Vasher on a 108-yard field goal return, tied by Devin Hester and eventually broken again by Antonio Cromartie on a 109-yard field goal return in 2007.

McAlister earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2003. He had 43 tackles. McAlister also intercepted three passes for 93 yards. That included an 83-yard run for a score.

In 2004, McAlister signed a 7-year, 55 million dollar contract.

McAlister (21) playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008.

McAlister had arguably the best season of his career in 2006. He had two touchdowns that year and made his third Pro Bowl. But his last two seasons in Baltimore were marked by injuries and inconsistent play. In 2008, in 5 starts before being put on Injured Reserve, he did however amass 16 tackles, 3 INTs and 1 fumble recovery, showing some of his old form. In 2008 he made arguably his most memorable play. He Intercepted Cowboys QB Tony Romo using the "jet pack" jump, and returned it for a touchdown.

Chris McAlister had his contract terminated by the Baltimore Ravens on February 16, 2009.[4]

New Orleans Saints

On November 17, 2009, McAlister signed with the New Orleans Saints.[5] In a December 6 game at the Washington Redskins, McAlister forced a fumble in overtime, which started the drive resulting in a game-winning field goal for New Orleans. However, he was released on December 8, just two months before the Saints would go on to win Super Bowl XLIV. McAlister finished 2009 with 4 tackles and the forced fumble. He has not played in the NFL since.[6]

NFL stats

Year Team Games Combined Tackles Tackles Assisted Tackles Sacks Forced Fumbles Fumble Recoveries Fumble Return Yards Interceptions Interception Return Yards Yards per Interception Return Longest Interception Return Interceptions Returned for Touchdown Passes Defended
1999 BAL 16 47 45 2 0.0 0 0 0 5 28 6 21 0 21
2000 BAL 16 41 35 6 0.0 0 1 0 4 165 41 98 1 14
2001 BAL 16 71 63 8 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 10
2002 BAL 13 53 48 5 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 18
2003 BAL 15 43 33 10 0.0 0 0 0 3 93 31 83 1 14
2004 BAL 15 42 38 4 0.0 0 1 0 1 51 51 51 1 9
2005 BAL 14 48 46 2 0.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 13
2006 BAL 16 47 43 4 0.0 0 2 0 6 121 20 60 2 22
2007 BAL 8 19 17 2 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 9
2008 BAL 6 16 13 3 0.0 0 1 0 3 28 9 16 0 7
2009 NO 2 4 4 0 0.0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 137 431 385 46 0.0 2 6 0 26 486 19 98 5 137

[7]

Personal

Chris McAlister's father James McAlister also played in the NFL, in three seasons for the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles during the 1970s. McAlister is divorced and has one daughter.[8] McAlister was married for 3 months.

References

Media related to Chris McAlister at Wikimedia Commons

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