Stephen McGee took off down the sideline and was popped pretty good by Oklahoma's D.J. Wolfe.
McGee bounced up immediately, got in the defensive back's face and an Aggie quarterback was born.
On Saturday, that quarterback will have gone full circle, suiting up for his final game at Kyle Field.
Despite starting 29 consecutive games at one time, it's not even known if McGee will see the field against those same Sooners.
It doesn't seem appropriate that McGee will go out so quietly after being in the middle of everything concerning Texas A&M football, both on and off the field, for almost three years.
McGee was the face of the Aggies from the time he took over for an injured Reggie McNeal in Norman and led the Aggies on three scoring drives in a little over a quarter. The next game, the freshman McGee, wearing No. 15, displayed his competitiveness to the home fans by matching Heisman candidate Vince Young play for play in a 40-29 game that was much closer than anyone believed possible against the then-soon-to-be national champion Longhorns.
It didn't matter if it was against the No. 1 team in the nation or a spring practice, McGee's best quality was that he always gave you his all.
In his first true spring as the No. 1 quarterback, McGee lowered his shoulder pads as much as any linebacker. Often times, he was taking on a linebacker, including back-to-back hits once with Justin Warren, the Aggies best linebacker at that time.
After the first hit, Warren told him to bring it on again and McGee did. It was the kind of thing that made former A&M head coach Dennis Franchione smile and cringe at the same time.
Franchione was often asked about reining in the 6-foot-3, 207-pound McGee.
The usual response went something like, "I'm trying."
McGee never expected anyone else to do something he wouldn't do. If it helped the Aggies win, that justified what he did even more.
When I think of McGee the player, I will remember the time he was led off Memorial Field in Nebraksa by two trainers, because after 35 carries and 35 hits, most against players bigger than him, it was too much for him to complete the walk to the visitors' locker room. The scene was Kellen Winslow-esque.
As he passed by, I remember thinking how physically drained he looked. I remember thinking if he had to carry the ball another time to get the win, he would have done it. I remember realizing what he had truly gone through that day when 280-pound tailback Jorvorskie Lane sat down at the press conference later shaking his head in admiration for the punishment McGee had endured.
When I think of McGee the teammate, I go back to the "bull crap" press conference, when McGee defended his coach during the time everything started falling in around Franchione, the A&M coach of five years. He later got all the players to attend a pre-game press conference to show their backing for Franchione.
McGee took a lot of hits on the field. He may have taken more for the way he continued to defend Franchione over the final months. Many of the latter blows stung more because they were directed at him from Aggie fans.
I'll be the first to say it was a play that had too many acts.
But you can't help but respect someone who stands up for what he so passionately believes in.
At the beginning of the season, with the Franchione saga behind everyone and new coach Mike Sherman having put his stamp on Aggie football, McGee appeared as happy as he's been at A&M.
It was his senior year. He had battled for the starting quarterback job with Jerrod Johnson and Ryan Tannehill and won. The quarterback that broke Class 3A high school state passing records at Burnet was going to get to throw the football in an NFL-type offense.
He even mentioned how much he was looking forward to not getting hit so many times since his pass-to carry ratio would be closer to 10-to-1 instead of 2-to-1.
Ironically, McGee has been forced to sit out games for the first time because of a hit he endured while passing the football.
McGee rushed the ball 370 times coming into the season and never missed an extended period of time.
Before he'd thrown 35 passes this season, he was on the shelf. Even then, in true McGee fashion, the coaches had to pull him out.
Because of that injury, it's now Jerrod Johnson's team, and the future looks bright with him under center.
In an odd twist, McGee was all about what was good for the team, and his injury has assisted the future of A&M football with Johnson, only a sophomore, receiving an opportunity to gain experience and prove that he is a quarterback the Aggies can make strides with.
McGee is among the top five in the A&M record book in almost every career statistical category for quarterbacks.
He's second in total offense with 6,959 yards and second in rushing yards behind the legendary Bucky Richardson.
Lately though, he can only be seen on the sideline, baseball cap on backward, cheering on and talking up Johnson, or sitting with another future Aggie QB, Tommy Dorman.
It's difficult to think of a favorable situation in which McGee could get into Saturday's game against No. 6 Oklahoma. One more milestone, one more touchdown pass would make for a memorable ending at Kyle Field.
I'm sure he'd take a victory, though, as it's not about numbers for McGee, it's about wins, 17 of which the Aggies had with him as the starting quarterback.
Two of those were against Texas, a stat no Aggie fan should forget.
Richard Croome's e-mail is richard.croome@theeagle.com.
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Posted by: Class 70 On: 11/9/2008
Comment Title: To The Wrecker
I agree! McGee is Aggie through and through. If he is well he should finish out the season at the qb position.This is a kid that has every reason to walk because Johnson is for Johnson not A&M. He is doing time to get to the pros. Lot more could be said but let it go at Sherman is for Sherma and does not realise that he is not going to produce a better team next year.
Posted by: dee68 On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title:
I'm telling you, Miller58 is a frog - ignore him. One question: since when is it "the Aggie Way" to hire a man & then, within months, start stabbing him in the back. Thanks Miller58 - you're not much of an Ag & I'm glad I don't work for you - I'm tall & I recognize a "Napolian Complex" when I see one.
Posted by: fla_agfan On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title:
miller58=world's biggest troll or tool. i can't figure out which.
Posted by: The Wrecker On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: McGee is the man
Stephen McGee is the epitome of Aggie spirit and toughness. I wish he were on the field finishing his senior season the way he deserves to. Here's hoping he'll get a chance to contribute sometime in the next three games.
Posted by: miller58 On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: Re: Drigsideways
My personal opinions: drigsideways, get a clue! We've been getting super reports on mcGee"s development for four years now prior to this season with the previous staff; we've also been getting super reports on JJ's development for two years prior to this season with the previous staff. I've also observed them both for the total time in practice and scrimages. The KC nfl official that this spring said, "McGee would be our starting quarterback today", still has his nfl job today? Sherman doesn't, and wasn't near McGee or JJ during this development period, was in fact getting fired at Greenbay, because he couldn't instill discipline and couldn't evaluate players, and cost Greenbay numerous games, multiple sources agreed. The Texans didn't fight or counter when they got a chance to get rid of a losing coach either! I've seen the administration's Ag Spin Machine take numerous cheap shots at the previous staff to try to justify their stupid actions, and the current coaching staff. Well it ain't working locally or nationally! A Quote in a national publication summed it up best, " The next time A&M comes calling, Division 1 coaches will think twice about the raw deal Coach Fran received!" Drigsideways, just get a clue! miller58.
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: Great Article Richard Croome!
I complimented Mr. Cessna earlier and then I realized my error. Thank you for such a great tribute to Stephen McGee.
Posted by: Reader On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title:
Why does miller58 always begin with - My personal opinions: - Why would there be any doubt
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: Amazing
Miller58 how do you do it? What institution are you in? Or are you in some inverted world where up is down, right is left........?
Posted by: miller58 On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: Re; fla agfan
My personal opinions: Thanks, fla agfan, I try! Yes I think its great that the previous staff developed McGee to the point last spring, that an nfl official says "McGee would be our starting quarterback today"! It's also great that the previous staff was able to develop JJ to the point that he was ready to fill in for McGee while he's injuried. I just hope that the current staff won't retard JJ's development, is gone by this December, and the new Head Coach can recruit to fill in the huge recruiting gap around JJ now. JJ will suffer if he has to carry it, alone! miller58.
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title:
I would argue that the previous coaching staff's system greatly harmed McGee's chances to develop into an NFL QB. And that was the case with Reggie McNeal also. Fran wrecked Reggie's career. Not many NFL teams run the option and zone read do they? Stephen is at a disadvantage because of the lack of throwing reps. But the system did show what a winner he is and how he can will a team to victory. Coach Sherma has stated that Stephen has the capabilities needed for the NFL. I fully expect to see Stephen in the NFL none the less and wish him the best.
Posted by: fla_agfan On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title:
miller, congratulations!!!! that was ALMOST a coherent thought!! keep up the good work buddy.
Posted by: miller58 On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: McGee is an nfl quarterback per the nfl!
My personal opinions: This spring a kansas City nfl official watching practice commented that" Mcgee would be starting for us today"! What a good job this young man did working so hard the last four years, developing under the previous staff to get to this point! Looking forward to following him in the nfl, along with the 5 others the previous staff put in the nfl draft this past summer, after several years of almost no players that Rc and Tim had committed, being drafted! Congrats Steven on being a great Aggie! miller58.
Posted by: joey On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title:
One of my favorite aggies of all time. I'm happy for JJ, but I wish Steve had one more shot at it.
Posted by: jboy97 On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: McGee
I hope there is some way that Sherman can get Stephen on the feild today for at least one series in his last home game. For someone who has left so much of himself out on that feild, he deserves to walk off it one last time with our thanks.
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: Thank You Stephen McGee
You are what Texas A&M is all about. Your contributions to the school and football program in the past, the present and the future will never be forgotten. God bless you. And Mr. Cessna, thanks for the great article about an outstanding young man.
Posted by: Rick Brown '91 On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: True Aggie Grit
Stephen McGee demonstrates what being a real man is about--I am proud he is an Aggie. He realizes it is not about him but the team. Even though he could be, he is not bitter about Fran wasting his talent. He supports the other QBs as a true mentor. Doing the right thing always pays and it will for him throughout his life--likely to be very successful in all regards. He is one I will point out to my son as a role model in athletics and life.
Posted by: aggiejon On: 11/8/2008
Comment Title: deserving article!!!
mcgee is a the definition of texas a&m! what an awesome quaterback and even a better person!
