Gerald McNeil
Encyclopedia
Gerald McNeil is a former professional American
football
player. He was a wide receiver
who often returned punts
and kickoff
s. McNeil's small stature of 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) and 145 lb (65.8 kg) made him difficult to grab hold of and tackle
and led to his nickname "The Ice Cube".
McNeil attended Baylor University
, where he set several reception records.
for the Houston Gamblers
from 1984-1985. Subsequently he entered the National Football League
, where he was drafted
in 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players
in the second round by the Cleveland Browns
. In 1987, he was selected for the Pro Bowl
. McNeil played for four seasons with Cleveland, and then played his final season for the Houston Oilers.
In 1986, McNeil was the only player in the NFL to return both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same season.
Gerald now lives in Houston, TX with his lovely wife, Paula, and his beautiful daughter Ashley.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
football
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...
player. He was a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
who often returned punts
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
and kickoff
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
s. McNeil's small stature of 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) and 145 lb (65.8 kg) made him difficult to grab hold of and tackle
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
and led to his nickname "The Ice Cube".
McNeil attended Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
, where he set several reception records.
Professional career
McNeil was an exciting athlete to watch during his career in the 1980s. He played in the United States Football LeagueUnited 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...
for the Houston Gamblers
Houston Gamblers
The Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. The Gamblers were coached by veteran NFL head coach Jack Pardee in both their seasons...
from 1984-1985. Subsequently he entered the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, where he was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
in 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players
1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players
The National Football League held a draft of United States Football League and Canadian Football League players on June 5, 1984. In an attempt to head off a bidding war in its own ranks for USFL and CFL players. NFL teams chose 84 players from 224 available during the three-round selection meeting...
in the second round by the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In 1987, he was selected for the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
. McNeil played for four seasons with Cleveland, and then played his final season for the Houston Oilers.
In 1986, McNeil was the only player in the NFL to return both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same season.
External links
Gerald now lives in Houston, TX with his lovely wife, Paula, and his beautiful daughter Ashley.