Fred McAfee is a former American football player who played as a running back and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on June 18, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Mississippi College, where he played college football.
McAfee began his professional career in 1991 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints. He spent his first two seasons with the Saints, primarily as a kick returner and backup running back. In 1993, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals but was released before the start of the regular season.
McAfee then signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he spent the next six seasons. He was primarily used as a kick returner and special teams player, but also saw some action as a running back. He had his best season in 1995 when he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and was named to the Pro Bowl.
In 1999, McAfee signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played for two seasons. He was primarily used as a special teams player and backup running back. In 2001, he signed with the New Orleans Saints, where he spent the next four seasons. He was primarily used as a special teams player and backup running back, but also saw some action as a fullback.
McAfee retired from the NFL after the 2006 season. Over the course of his career, he played in 197 games and rushed for 1,685 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also returned 4,895 kickoffs for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He was known for his speed and agility as a kick returner and his toughness as a special teams player.
After retiring from the NFL, McAfee worked as a scout for the New Orleans Saints and later as a coach for the team. He also worked as a broadcaster for the Saints and as a motivational speaker. In 2019, he was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
Overall, Fred McAfee had a successful career in the NFL as a kick returner and special teams player. He was known for his speed, agility, and toughness, and was a valuable asset to the teams he played for.
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