Leon McQuay
Encyclopedia
Leon McQuay was an American football
running back
.
with the now disbanded University of Tampa
Spartans (from 1968 to 1970.) He was the first black athlete to receive a scholarship to UT. "All the Way" McQuay rushed for 3,039 yards, scored 37 touchdowns and was a two time small college All-America
n in three seasons at Tampa. He rushed for 1,362 yards and scored 22 TDs as a junior. He was inducted into the University of Tampa Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.
of the Canadian Football League
in 1971. Though small, at 5'9" and 200 pounds, he had lightning speed and was known as "X-ray". He took the CFL by storm, rushing for 977 yards and a 7.1 yard per carry average. He was an all star and runner up for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
. Unfortunately, his most famous, or infamous, moment came in the 59th Grey Cup
versus the Calgary Stampeders
. Toronto fans had waited decades for a champion, and with less than two minutes left, down by 3 points and on the Calgary 11 yard line, quarterback Joe Theismann
handed off to McQuay, who promptly slipped on the wet turf and fumbled away the ball; Toronto lost.
He rushed for 745 yards in 1972, but the Argos fortunes faded. Coach Leo Cahill
would say "Leon slipped and I fell." In 1973 he saw limited playing time and was traded to the Calgary Stampeders
.
Originally undrafted, McQuay was picked by the New York Giants
in the 5th round (119 overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft
. He would go on to play 13 games for the Giants in 1974, 13 games for the New England Patriots
in 1975 and 4 games for the New Orleans Saints
in 1976, mostly returning punts and kickoffs. His best year was 1974, when he rushed for 240 yards.
McQuay would return to Toronto for the 1977 season, rushing for 307 yards. He also played for the Jacksonville Firebirds of the American Football Association
in 1980 and was drafted by Tampa Bay Bandits
of the United States Football League
in 1983, but was cut before playing with the team.
After retiring, McQuay returned to his native Florida
to study to become a Minister, but died unexpectedly in 1995, aged 45.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
.
College career
McQuay played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
with the now disbanded University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
Spartans (from 1968 to 1970.) He was the first black athlete to receive a scholarship to UT. "All the Way" McQuay rushed for 3,039 yards, scored 37 touchdowns and was a two time small college All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n in three seasons at Tampa. He rushed for 1,362 yards and scored 22 TDs as a junior. He was inducted into the University of Tampa Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.
Professional career
McQuay skipped his senior season to sign with the Toronto ArgonautsToronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
in 1971. Though small, at 5'9" and 200 pounds, he had lightning speed and was known as "X-ray". He took the CFL by storm, rushing for 977 yards and a 7.1 yard per carry average. He was an all star and runner up for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
The Most Outstanding Player Award is annually awarded to the best player in the Canadian Football League. The Most Outstanding Player award can be compared to the National Football League's Most Valuable Player, otherwise known as the "MVP" award...
. Unfortunately, his most famous, or infamous, moment came in the 59th Grey Cup
59th Grey Cup
The 59th Grey Cup was played on November 28, 1971, before 34,404 fans at Vancouver's Empire Stadium.The Calgary Stampeders beat the Toronto Argonauts on a slick rain covered field in an extremely close 14 to 11 match.-Box Score:First Quarter...
versus the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
. Toronto fans had waited decades for a champion, and with less than two minutes left, down by 3 points and on the Calgary 11 yard line, quarterback Joe Theismann
Joe Theismann
Joseph Robert "Joe" Theismann is a former quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League . He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII...
handed off to McQuay, who promptly slipped on the wet turf and fumbled away the ball; Toronto lost.
He rushed for 745 yards in 1972, but the Argos fortunes faded. Coach Leo Cahill
Leo Cahill
Leo Cahill is a former head coach and general manager in the Canadian Football League, much of it spent with the Toronto Argonauts. Since 2004, Cahill has been serving as "goodwill ambassador" with the Argonauts. Has 5 children. Steve, Christy, Terry, Lisa and Bettye. He lives in Sarnia,...
would say "Leon slipped and I fell." In 1973 he saw limited playing time and was traded to the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
.
Originally undrafted, McQuay was picked by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 5th round (119 overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft
1973 NFL Draft
The 1973 National Football League Draft was held on January 30–31, 1973.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
. He would go on to play 13 games for the Giants in 1974, 13 games for the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
in 1975 and 4 games for the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in 1976, mostly returning punts and kickoffs. His best year was 1974, when he rushed for 240 yards.
McQuay would return to Toronto for the 1977 season, rushing for 307 yards. He also played for the Jacksonville Firebirds of the American Football Association
American Football Association
American Football Association was the first attempt in the United States to form an organizing soccer body. It is best known for being the second oldest sports league to form, behind Major League Baseball in 1876, as well as being the oldest soccer league in the United States. The Association was...
in 1980 and was drafted by Tampa Bay Bandits
Tampa Bay Bandits
The Tampa Bay Bandits were a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. They were members of the United States Football League . They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season....
of the United States Football League
United States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
in 1983, but was cut before playing with the team.
After retiring, McQuay returned to his native Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to study to become a Minister, but died unexpectedly in 1995, aged 45.