Chris McAlister

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.

Not to be confused with Chris McAlister (hurdler), Chris McAllister (American football), or Chris McAllister.

Chris McAlister
No. 28, 21, 29
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1977-06-14) June 14, 1977
Pasadena, California
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Pasadena (CA)
College:Arizona
NFL Draft:1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:431
Forced fumbles:2
Fumble recoveries:6
Pass deflections:137
Interceptions:26
Defensive touchdowns:7
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

McAlister was born in Pasadena, California, and attended Pasadena High School.[1] 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 originally committed to UCLA, where his father James was a star running back in the 1972-73 seasons. McAllister went to 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.

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 statistics
YearTeamGamesCombined TacklesTacklesAssisted TacklesSacksForced FumblesFumble RecoveriesFumble Return YardsInterceptionsInterception Return YardsYards per Interception ReturnLongest Interception ReturnInterceptions Returned for TouchdownPasses Defended
1999BAL16474520.0000528621021
2000BAL16413560.001041654198114
2001BAL16716380.00001000010
2002BAL13534850.00001000018
2003BAL154333100.00003933183114
2004BAL15423840.0010151515119
2005BAL14484620.01001000013
2006BAL16474340.002061212060222
2007BAL8191720.0000100009
2008BAL6161330.001032891607
2009NO24400.0110000000
Career137431385460.02602648619985137

[7]

Personal life

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 three months.

References
  1. Hodges, Jim. "Would-Be Bruin Declares War on Westwood" Los Angeles Times, September 25, 1997
  2. One of the scoring kick returns was on a win against UCLA. Ravens bio Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Chris McAlister, CB, Arizona - 1999 NFL Draft Scout Profile, Powered by The SportsXchange Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ""Ravens Release McAlister," BaltimoreRavens.com, Monday. February 16, 2009". Archived from the original on February 19, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
  5. Saints add depth with veteran CB McAllister
  6. "Saints cut DB McAlister, place LB Dunbar on IR" Archived December 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, WVUE-DT, December 8, 2009 (retrieved December 9, 2009)
  7. "Chris McAlister Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  8. The book on … Chris McAlister, Sporting News, November 23, 1998.

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