John Kenneth McKayDavid Wharton, Pat Haden is still a dashing figure, Los Angeles Times, July 24, 2010, Accessed July 25, 2010. (born March 28, 1953) is an American former professional 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.
College career McKay played college football for the USC Trojans, 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.
McKay was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1998.
Professional career He was selected 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.Mizell, Hubert. "McKay's son: barrier to surmount". St. Petersburg Times. 6 Jul 1976. 1C 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. 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.Hummer, Steve. "Rozier Is One Gruff 'Husker". The Palm Beach Post. 2 Dec 1983. D4 McKay was considered a reliable pass-catcherMartz, Ron. "Bucs want it known: Some white receivers have speed". St. Petersburg Times. 25 Sep 1976. 1C whom opposing defenses considered as a legitimate threat.Ledger Staff. "Sunday Scouting Report: Tampa Bay at Dallas". Lakeland Ledger. 1 Oct 1977. 3D He was forced to retire due to complications from a broken hand.Gurney, Jack. "Receiver Johnny McKay May Be Done As Buccaneer". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 7 Aug 1979. 1-C 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.
Post-playing career After retiring from professional football, McKay attended the Stetson University College of Law, 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. In 2001, he took a position as General Manager of the Los Angeles Xtreme in the XFL. 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.
In 2018, he was announced as the Head of Football Operations of the Alliance of American Football.
Personal life McKay 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.
McKay is married and has three children.
He is often referred to as "J. K." in the press, but is more commonly known as "John" or "Johnny".
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