LeSean McCoy: From College Standout to NFL Legend

LeSean Kamel McCoy, nicknamed "Shady," is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). A 2x Super Bowl Champion, LeSean McCoy remains one of the top NFL running backs for the last decade. His exceptional speed, hard work, and "cut on a dime" ability helped him become a 6x Pro Bowler and 2x First Team All-Pro in his NFL career.

High School Career and Overcoming Adversity

LeSean attended Bishop McDevitt High School from 2002 to 2006. During LeSean's senior year at Bishop McDevitt High School, he suffered a compound fracture to his ankle which jeopardized his college career, but more importantly his hopes of playing in the NFL. In 2012, McCoy's high school number (20) was retired at Bishop McDevitt.

College Career at the University of Pittsburgh

LeSean overcame his injury and eventually attended the University of Pittsburgh. McCoy entered Pittsburgh after finishing at Milford Academy. In just two seasons, LeSean left with titles of: Big East Rookie of the Year, Big East Offensive Player of the Year and 2x First Team All Big East.

Freshman Year (2007)

He started the season as a backup to LaRod Stephens-Howling who was the starting running back in 2006 and rushed for over 890 yards the previous season. In August 2007, Dave Grdnic wrote for Panthers Digest, "After just one week, LeSean McCoy has been as amazing as advertised. As a freshman, McCoy was the point-man for the "Wildcat offense" which the Pittsburgh Panthers unveiled in a September 2007 game against the Michigan State Spartans. In the Wildcat offense, McCoy lined up as quarterback in a shotgun formation and took direct snaps from center. A Sporting News article credited him for having one of the "best starts by a freshman running back at Pittsburgh since Tony Dorsett", while the Wildcat offense was criticized. "McCoy might need to be a combination of both Dorsett and Dan Marino for the Panthers to start producing some offense other than through his running." On October 2, 2007, ESPN writer Pat Forde featured McCoy under the "instant impact" section of his column. Forde had this to say, "Pittsburgh. When starting running back LaRod Stephens-Howling got hurt, McCoy stepped in and Wally Pipped him.

Sophomore Year (2008)

McCoy entered his sophomore year as one of the top running backs in college football. In an article written by Paul Zeise of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in late July 2008, McCoy's coach Dave Wannstedt had this to say about McCoy's approach in the off-season, "He's been very mature, he's taken the right approach," Wannstedt said. "I like to see a talented young guy who takes the initiative to want to be the best he can be and he clearly is doing his part." In mid August 2008, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Tony Dorsett told the Associated Press that "He (McCoy) reminded me of me. Pittsburgh started the 2008 season ranked inside the top 25 for the first time in five years. The Panthers faced Bowling Green at home to start the season, but fell to the Falcons 27-17. McCoy had one rushing touchdown and 71 rushing yards in a losing effort. This was McCoy's second lowest rushing total of the season. McCoy and the Panthers proceeded to win seven out of their next eight games. He had a streak of five games from September 27 to November 1 where he recorded over 140 rushing yards per game. During that five-game streak, he had 762 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. McCoy's best game was still ahead of him. After suffering a loss on the road to Cincinnati, a game in which McCoy led Pittsburgh in both rushing and receiving yards, Pittsburgh got a win at home against the West Virginia Mountaineers and McCoy rushed for 183 yards that day, setting a career-high which was previously 172, set during his freshman year. He also added two touchdowns that day, both coming in the fourth quarter. McCoy closed out the regular season with 95 rushing yards a touchdown in a winning effort 34-10 against the Connecticut Huskies. The Panthers were ranked #18 in the AP Poll following the win against the Huskies. McCoy's final college football game of his career was the 2008 Sun Bowl played on New Year's Eve in El Paso, Texas.

Decision to Enter the NFL Draft

McCoy had said in November 2008 and in January 2009 that he was coming back to Pittsburgh for his junior year. On January 7, 2009, McCoy notified Wannstedt of his decision to go pro. However, he delayed the decision until January 14, when he officially announced he was leaving for the NFL. Talking to Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, who also left after two years, helped sway McCoy. The team's performance in the Sun Bowl, did not have any influence though. On January 14, 2009, the University of Pittsburgh announced that McCoy declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft, forgoing his final two years of eligibility. The serious injury he sustained his senior year at Bishop McDevitt was a factor in his decision to enter the draft early. "As a result of a season-ending injury my senior year, I learned a humbling lesson," McCoy said.

NFL Career

LeSean's NFL dreams came true, he was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Philadelphia Eagles (2009-2014)

McCoy was pressed into service as a starter in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 27, 2009, when the Eagles deactivated starter Brian Westbrook due to an ankle injury. He scored his first touchdown in the first quarter of the game on a five-yard rush. McCoy started against the New York Giants on November 1, 2009. He carried the ball eleven times for 82 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for ten yards. McCoy made his third start for an NBC Sunday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys. McCoy rushed 13 times for 54 yards and caught five passes for 61 yards in a 20-16 losing effort. Westbrook sustained a concussion against San Diego and McCoy was called on again to be the starter in a road game against the Chicago Bears on NBC Sunday Night Football. On December 20, 2009, against the San Francisco 49ers, McCoy broke the all-time Eagles rookie rushing record with 606 yards on the year. The record was previously set by Correll Buckhalter with 586 yards in 2001. Also in December, the New York Daily News wrote about the top ten rookies in 2009. McCoy was listed fourth on the list and this was what writer Ralph Vacchiano had to say, "The fact that the Eagles are rolling without Brian Westbrook is, in part, a testament to how good this rookie is." Overall, in the 2009 season, he finished with 637 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and 40 receptions for 308 receiving yards. The Eagles finished with an 11-5 record and made the playoffs. During McCoy's rookie season, he wore the number 29. On March 18, 2010, McCoy changed to number 25, which he had worn at the University of Pittsburgh.

Coach Reid had this to say in August, "… He wants it every carry. He’s been running very hard. McCoy carried the ball seven times for 35 yards in an early season loss against the Green Bay Packers. He followed this game up with 16 carries for 120 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns against the Detroit Lions the following week in a winning effort. Head coach Andy Reid had this to say about McCoy after his game against the Lions, "He added more strength in the off-season, really bought into the off-season program, worked his tail off and it's showing up now. He's going out and he's running more physical, he's more deliberate and accurate with his cuts, seeing the daylight and getting North and South, which you have to do in this league…" During a game against the San Francisco 49ers on October 10, McCoy broke a rib and continued to play through the injury, rushing for 92 yards and catching five passes for 47 yards, and helping lead his team to a Week 5 victory. McCoy failed to break the 100-rushing yard barrier again until Sunday November 21 playing the New York Giants. Both the Eagles and Giants headed into this Sunday night contest at Lincoln Financial Field with a 6-3 win-loss record. McCoy ran for 111 yards and scored a touchdown, and caught five passes for 29 yards in the 27-17 win in Week 11. After only receiving 22 carries in the next two games combined, McCoy ran for 149 yards on 16 carries, for an average of 9.3 yards per carry (YPC) against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. Overall, in the 2010 season, McCoy finished with 1,080 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 592 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. The Eagles finished the season 10-6 and won the NFC East Division. In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, the Eagles faced the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field in a rematch of the season opener. They lost to the Green Bay Packers 21-16 after failing to score a touchdown in the first half. ESPN Stats and Information did a special feature on ESPN where they handed out "Next Level Awards" to recognize outstanding play in the 2010 season. McCoy won an award in the "Locked and Loaded" category, which recognized the "best RB facing a loaded box". This is what was said about McCoy, "LeSean McCoy, literally, ran away with this award thanks to some hard-nosed running - an aspect of his game that often is overlooked". …"Fourteen running backs had at least 30 attempts against a loaded box this season.

The 2011 season started off with McCoy scoring four touchdowns and rushing for 345 yards in his first three games. the Dallas Cowboys on October 30, McCoy scored two touchdowns and rushed for 184 yards; the Eagles won 34-7. McCoy had a rough second half compared to the first. He rushed for over 100 yards twice in the next eight games. He failed to reach the 50-yard mark three times. McCoy saw inconsistency in the run game, some games getting the ball 15 or fewer times. McCoy missed the Eagles final game with a sprained ankle. When McCoy rushed for over 100 yards, the Eagles were 5-1. His 17 rushing touchdowns tied him for third all-time in rushing touchdowns in a single season by a running back aged 23 or younger. The only two running backs ahead of him are Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson and Emmitt Smith. McCoy finished the 2011 season as the league's fourth leading rusher, after sitting out the last game with an ankle injury. During the December 18, 2011, game against the New York Jets, McCoy broke the Eagles' single season touchdown and rushing touchdown records previously set by Steve Van Buren in 1945. As of December 2013, McCoy holds the records with 17 rushing and 20 total touchdowns. He was also voted into the Pro Bowl for his season's performance. McCoy won the FedEx Ground Player of the Year Award, and was also voted Associated Press All-Pro First Team running back. McCoy was the third-youngest player in franchise history to be named as a First Team All-Pro. McCoy finished the 2011 season with 1,309 rushing yards, including six games of over 100 rushing yards. In 15 games played, he recorded a rushing touchdown in 12 of them, and scored a touchdown in 13 out 15. On May 17, 2012, it was announced that McCoy had signed a five-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles.

On September 9, 2012, the Philadelphia Eagles traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to face the Cleveland Browns. McCoy rushed for 110 yards on 20 carries for an average of 5.5 yards per carry in the season opener. He out-rushed the whole Browns team 110-99 and the Eagles won 17-16. Coming back home to Philadelphia, McCoy scored his first touchdown of the young season, a one-yard run in the first quarter. The Eagles went on to defeat the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 24-23. In Week 4 against NFC East foe New York Giants, McCoy broke the 100-rushing yard barrier for the second time in four games with 123 yards on the ground. In the next five games, McCoy rushed for 321 yards for an average of 64.2 rushing yards per game. All five of those games were losses for the Eagles. On November 18, 2012, playing against the Washington Redskins, McCoy ran for 82 yards and had 20 receiving yards, but suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter of the game. He was injured with less than two minutes remaining in the game. McCoy did not return until December 23 in the second divisional game against the Washington Redskins. In his last two games he had 23 carries for 90 yards. He was used more in the passing offense though, catching 14 passes for a total of 138 receiving yards. He ended up missing four games on the year, playing in a total of 12.

McCoy took the field for Monday Night Football on September 9, 2013, and rushed for 184 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown in a victory over the Washington Redskins. His performance was good enough to earn him FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors. McCoy was only handed the ball 11 times in Week 2, resulting in 53 yards. However, he contributed as a wide receiver and caught five passes for 114 yards in the 33-30 loss to the San Diego Chargers. 114 yards currently stands as McCoy's top receiving yards in a game. In the following game, the Eagles faced former head coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, on Thursday Night Football. McCoy rushed for 158 yards on 20 attempts, for 7.9 yards per carry. Though the Eagles lost this game and fell to 1-2, McCoy surpassed 150 yards from scrimmage in each of his first three games of the season. Over the course of the next six games, McCoy saw somewhat limited action with varied results. He received more than 20 carries once in a game and broke 100 yards rushing only once. The Eagles dropped back to back games to divisional foes but defeated the Oakland Raiders on November 3, to bring their record to 4-5. McCoy rushed for 155 yards against the Green Bay Packers. On December 8, 2013, Philadelphia had their first major snowfall of the year, with over 8.5 inches of snow falling. With snow covering the entire field, and with it falling the entire first half, offense was hard to come by. The halftime score was 8-0 in favor of the Detroit Lions. Several minutes into the second half the Lions scored their second touchdown of the game, and subsequently took the lead 14-0. The second half was a breakout half for McCoy, who finished the game with 217 rushing yards on 29 carries. In Week 15, the Eagles traveled to Minnesota. McCoy only had eight rushing attempts, as the Eagles elected to pass for much of the game. He did have 68 receiving yards, which put him over the 100 yards from scrimmage mark. The Eagles fell to the Vikings by a score of 48-30. In Week 16 facing the Chicago Bears, McCoy rushed for 133 yards and scored two touchdowns. This moved him up to second on the Philadelphia Eagles… His 2013 season was one for the books, he led the league in rushing and was awarded the NFC Offensive Player of the Year. McCoy went on to become the all-time leading rusher for the Eagles after the 2014 season.

Buffalo Bills (2015-2018)

In the 2015 offseason, McCoy was traded to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso. After the trade, he signed a new five-year contract worth $40 million. McCoy made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three years in Buffalo, helping the team snap a 17-year playoff drought, and became one of a few select NFL running backs to surpass 10,000 career rushing yards. McCoy joined the Buffalo Bills in 2015, where he was voted to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2015-17. McCoy helped the Bills snap a 17-year playoff drought and became one of a few NFL running backs to surpass 10,000 career rushing yards.

Kansas City Chiefs (2019) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020)

After playing four seasons with the Bills, he was released prior to the 2019 season. After a run with the Buffalo Bills, LeSean landed in Kansas City where he made an immediate impact on the high- powered offense finishing his season with 5 touchdowns. Next, LeSean didn't stop there, he took his talents to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he earned himself another Super Bowl Title.

Retirement as an Eagle

In 2021, LeSean signed a one day contract with the Eagles where he decided to officially retire as a Philadelphia Eagle.

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Beyond the Field

LeSean may be retired from the NFL but that isn't stopping him from working. Since 2010, LeSean has been advancing numerous programs that have a significant impact on communities, addressing various needs and empowering individuals. Shades of Greatness aims to improve youth and familial outcomes related to educational, financial and health literacies in underserved communities. At Crazy Work Construction, we believe in the power of transformation through construction. We are more than just a construction company; we are a dedicated force for positive change in communities. Their mission is to restore, rebuild, and revitalize neighborhoods while simultaneously promoting the redistribution of wealth through job creation. LeSean started a full service real estate development company. This management and investment group specializes in identifying prime real estate opportunities throughout the United States. These opportunities include performing and non-performing multi-family rentals, affordable senior living, and mix-use properties in addition to ground-up development projects. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania the company's strength lies in its unique ability to quickly identify, underwrite, and execute the development of specialized real estate opportunities for both institutional and private investors. Current projects include JMB Gardens, a 41-unit workforce housing project located in Harrisburg, PA. This project will provide affordable housing and support services to community residents.

Media Career

Before making his broadcasting debut with FOX Sports in September 2022, LeSean "Shady" McCoy was a second-round draft pick out of Pittsburgh, enjoying a 12-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles (2009-14), Buffalo Bills (2015-18), Kansas City Chiefs (2019), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020). LeSean McCoy was the co-host for FS1’s daily studio show, THE FACILITY, which aired weekdays at 10:00 AM ET. The two-time Super Bowl Champion and six-time Pro Bowler hosted alongside co-hosts Emmanuel Acho, James Jones and Chase Daniel, discussing the top sports topics of the day.

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