Keenan McCardell

Infobox NFLactive
name=Keenan McCardell


width=200
caption=Keenan McCardell with a Jacksonville Jaguars fan.
currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=--
currentpositionplain=Wide receiver
birthdate=birth date and age|1970|1|6
birthplace=Houston, Texas
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=188
debutyear=1992
debutteam=Cleveland Browns
highlights=
* 2x Super Bowl champion (XXVI, XXXVII)
* 2x Pro Bowl selection (1996, 2003)
college=UNLV
draftyear=1991
draftround=12
draftpick=326
pastteams=
* Washington Redskins (1991)
* Cleveland Browns (1992-1995)
* Jacksonville Jaguars (1996-2001)
* Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-2003)
* San Diego Chargers (2004-2006)
* Houston Texans (2007)*
* Washington Redskins (2007):*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Receptions
statvalue1=883
statlabel2=Receiving Yards
statvalue2=11,373
statlabel3=Receiving TDs
statvalue3=63
nfl=MCC170252

Keenan Wayne McCardell (pronEng|mc-CAR-dell) (born January 6, 1970 in Houston, Texas) is an American football wide receiver who currently is a free agent of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Redskins in the twelfth round (326th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft but played the bulk of his career for other teams. He played collegiately at Nevada-Las Vegas. Despite the fact that 44 wide receivers were drafted before him, McCardell out ranks all of them in every category. He is the only receiver left from the 1991 draft as well as the only player left in the league from the last Redskins Super Bowl team. He is also the only player to be make the playoffs with five different teams; Redskins '91 & '07, Browns '94, Jaguars '96-'99, Buccaneers '02, and the Chargers in '04 & '06.

As of 2008, McCardell ranks eighth all-time in receptions with 883 catches for 11,373 yards and 63 touchdowns. He has earned two Super Bowl rings in his career - one with the Redskins while on injured reserve in Super Bowl XXVI and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII. He only caught 2 passes for 13 yards in Super Bowl XXXVII, but both were for touchdowns.

High school years

Keenan McCardell attended Waltrip High School in Houston, Texas, and was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball, and track. In football, he was the team's starting quarterback.

College career

McCardell starred at UNLV, where his speed and athleticism enabled him to become one of the premier wide receivers in the NCAA.

NFL career

McCardell was selected in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, but he never took the field in a Redskins’ uniform. He, however, got a Super Bowl ring with the Redskins while being on injured reserve. McCardell was cut after the 1991 season. He signed with the Cleveland Browns in 1992. He saw his first regular season action, but only recorded 1 reception for 8 yards. His 1993 season wasn’t much better in terms of catches, but he did score his first professional touchdown. He would record 3 more before the 1993 season was over. His production steadily increased during his time in Cleveland. Although he only started 5 games in 1995, he racked up 56 catches, 709 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Following the season, he became a free agent.

His production on the field was so impressive that the Jacksonville Jaguars signed him to his first big contract and made him their #1 receiver. Some wondered if he could handle the #1 spot. He put those concerns to rest as he amassed 85 catches, 1,129 yards, 3 touchdowns, and earned himself a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl, his first ever. With the emergence of fellow teammate Jimmy Smith, he was reduced to the #2 spot, but was still a major threat to defenses around the league. The duo were known as "Thunder and Lightning", with McCardell as "Thunder" because of his ability to run routes in the middle of the field with no fear of being hit hard by defenders. His best season was in 2000, when he caught 94 passes for 1,207 yards and 5 touchdowns.

After the 2001 season, McCardell, along with many Jaguar starters, were waived due to salary cap reasons. He was signed by the Buccaneers for the 2002 season to complement former New York Jets wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson. The Buccaneers would go on to win Super Bowl XXXVII, beating the AFC Champion Oakland Raiders 48-21. He became the team’s primary receiver late in the 2003 season mainly due to a dispute between Johnson and the Buccaneers organization, which ultimately ended in Johnson being “paid to stay away” and traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

McCardell started the 2004 season as a holdout with the Buccaneers. While he waited for a pay raise and worked out on his own, the Chargers traded for him. They exchanged a 3rd and 5th round draft pick in the 2005 draft. In 2005, he was the team’s 2nd leading receiver behind only tight end Antonio Gates, totaling 70 catches, 917 yards, and a career-high 9 touchdown receptions.

On December 4, 2005, in a game against the Oakland Raiders, McCardell became the 13th player in NFL history to record 800 career receptions. He is also 20th on the all-time list for yardage by a receiver.

On March 1, 2007, McCardell was released by the Chargers. On July 23, 2007 he had signed with the Houston Texans, but was eventually cut on August 31st.

On September 27, 2007, it was reported by WTEM SportsTalk980 that the Washington Redskins were going to sign McCardell on October 1, 2007. On Oct. 1, it was made official. McCardell would resign with the Redskins. [http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_REDSKINS_MCCARDELL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT]

Career statistics at the end of the 2007 season include 883 receptions, 11,373 yards receiving, and 63 touchdown receptions.

He is currently the oldest wide receiver playing in the NFL.