Freeman McNeil facts for kids

Freeman McNeil, born on April 22, 1959, is a former American football star. He played as a running back for the New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the pros, he played college football for the UCLA Bruins. The Jets picked him third overall in the 1981 NFL draft.

Early Life and College Football Career

Freeman McNeil was born in Jackson, Mississippi. Later, his family moved to Los Angeles, California.

McNeil led Banning High School to a big win. They won the 1976 Los Angeles City 4-A football title. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 214 pounds. He then went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, he was a running back and was chosen twice for the All-Pac-10 team.

In his last college game, he made an amazing play. He caught a pass that was tipped by an opposing player. He ran 57 yards for the winning touchdown. This helped the Bruins win 20–17 with only two minutes left. During his four seasons at UCLA, McNeil ran for 3,195 yards. He also scored 21 touchdowns. He averaged more than 5 yards every time he carried the ball.

Professional Football Career with the Jets

Freeman McNeil played 12 seasons in the NFL. He was with the New York Jets from 1981 to 1992. In the mid-1980s, he was part of a famous duo. He and teammate Johnny Hector were called the "Two Headed Monster." They were one of the best running back teams in the league.

When he retired, McNeil was the Jets' all-time leading rusher. He had 8,074 rushing yards. Later, Curtis Martin passed him. McNeil is now second in Jets team history. In 1982, McNeil led the entire NFL in rushing yards with 786. He was the first player from the Jets to lead the league in rushing. He is also one of the few running backs in NFL history to average at least 4.0 yards per carry in every season he played.

Important Legal Case and Legacy

From 1990 to 1992, Freeman McNeil was the main player in an important legal case. This case challenged the NFL's "Plan B" system. Under Plan B, teams could protect 37 players. These protected players could not easily move to other teams. McNeil and seven other players were among those protected.

The court decided that this system was too strict. It went against antitrust laws, which promote fair competition. This lawsuit was a big step. It helped players gain more free agency rights. This means players could choose which team to play for more easily. The NFL Players Association (the players' union) saw this as a major victory.

NFL Career Statistics Summary

Freeman McNeil had a strong career with the Jets. He played in 144 games. He rushed for 8,074 yards and scored 38 touchdowns. He also caught 295 passes for 2,961 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. His best rushing season was in 1985, when he ran for 1,331 yards. He consistently averaged over 4 yards per carry throughout his career.

Honors and Awards

In 2005, Freeman McNeil was recognized for his achievements. He was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame.