Rich McKay

Rich McKay (born March 16, 1959) is the president and former general manager of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons franchise. He was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they won Super Bowl XXXVII.

Personal

He is the son of the late John McKay, who was the Buccaneers' first head coach. McKay was a ballboy for the Buccaneers when his father was the head coach. Prior to entering the NFL, McKay was an attorney with the Tampa law firm of Hill, Ward, and Henderson. McKay earned his bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 1981 and graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1984. He graduated from Jesuit High School of Tampa in 1977, where he also played quarterback. [ [http://www.sptimes.com/News/011500/Sports/Bucs_grow_up_with_McK.shtml Bucs grow up with McKay] retrieved April 30, 2006]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As general manager for the Buccaneers from 1993 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, and in 1999 the Bucs played in the NFC championship game.

During his tenure as general manager, McKay drafted the following players: Mike Alstott (1996), Ronde Barber (1997), and Warrick Dunn (1997). He is often mis credited with drafting Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks & John Lynch. He tried to hired Marvin Lewis to be the head coach of the Buccaneers in 2002 after Dungy was fired but was overruled by the Glazers, who then hired their own coach Jon Gruden McKay constructed the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster that featured 7 Pro Bowl players. Also, the Buccaneers' 41 Pro Bowl selections between 1997 through 2002 were the most in the NFL.

Atlanta Falcons

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.

Competition committee

McKay is also the co-chairman of the powerful NFL competition committee, making him one of the most powerful executives in the league. From this post, McKay influences decisions that just this year have ranged from the rejection of Reggie Bush's request to wear No. 5 in the NFL to the league's loosening of false start penalties and more.

NFL

In March 2006, McKay was mentioned as a possible successor to retiring NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. [ [http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/14163035.htm NFL owners to consider playoff expansion, new rules] retrieved March 24, 2006] During the following months, McKay emerged as a favorite for the position. [ [http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/15031837.htm NFL commissioner search narrows] retrieved July 14, 2006] But on August 8, 2006, Roger Goodell was elected to that position.

Notes

References

*cite web
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