Ben McGee facts for kids

Benjamin McGee Jr. (born January 26, 1939) is a former American football player and coach. He played as a defensive end and defensive tackle for nine seasons. All his professional playing years were with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL).

Before playing professionally, McGee played college football at Jackson State University. After his playing career, he became a college football coach. He was the head coach for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions for four seasons.

Early Life and High School

Ben McGee Jr. was born on January 26, 1939, in Starkville, Mississippi. He went to Henderson High School in Starkville. During the time he attended, the school was segregated.

College Football Career

McGee attended Jackson State College, which is now known as Jackson State University. Many players from Jackson State have gone on to play professional football. Some of his teammates who also became pros included Willie Richardson and Verlon Biggs. Another teammate, Frank Molden, later played with McGee on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

McGee was recognized as one of the best college players. He was named to the Black College All-America teams in both 1962 and 1963. In 1962, during his junior year, Time magazine also picked him as an All-American. They said he already played like a professional.

Professional Football Career

Joining the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers chose Ben McGee in the fourth round of the 1964 NFL draft. He was the 51st player picked overall. Another league, the American Football League (AFL), also drafted him. However, McGee chose to play for the Steelers.

He played for the Steelers for nine years, from 1964 to 1972. For his first seven seasons, he played as a defensive end. For his last two seasons, he played as a defensive tackle. He was a very strong player, standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 250 to 260 pounds.

Key Seasons and Achievements

In his first year, 1964, McGee started every game. He had a career-high 8.5 quarterback sacks that season. A sack happens when a defensive player tackles the opposing team's quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

In 1966, McGee had 6.5 sacks. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl for the first time as a defensive end. The Pro Bowl is an all-star game for the best players in the NFL. The Sporting News also named him a top player in his conference that year. He made the Pro Bowl again in 1968.

McGee finished his professional career with 34.5 sacks. He also recovered nine fumbles and made one interception.

Later Years with the Steelers

In 1971, McGee moved to play defensive tackle. This change was made to allow another talented player, L. C. Greenwood, to play defensive end. McGee started fewer games that year.

In his final season in 1972, McGee started every game as a right defensive tackle. He played alongside other great defensive players like Dwight White, Joe Greene, and L.C. Greenwood. This defensive line was very strong. The 1972 Steelers defense allowed the second-fewest points in the NFL. The team finished with a great record of 11 wins and 3 losses. They made it to the American Football Conference Championship Game. They lost a close game to the undefeated Miami Dolphins. The defensive line McGee was part of later became famous as the "Steel Curtain" in the mid-1970s.

Coaching Career

After his playing days, Ben McGee became a football coach. He served as an assistant coach at Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State. He also coached at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

McGee became the head football coach for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions. He coached them for four seasons, from 1980 to 1983. During his time as head coach, his team had a record of 17 wins, 22 losses, and 4 ties. The team improved in his first year, going from 2 wins to 5 wins.

Personal Life

Ben McGee Jr. has a son, also named Ben McGee Jr. His son also played football as a defensive lineman at Jackson State University, just like his father.