Oklahoma State University Athletics
Andrew McGee: A Story of Football and Faith
September 15, 2010 | Cowboy Football
Sept. 15, 2010
By Stefan Nolet
OSU Media Relations
The 2010 version of the Oklahoma State defense features a number of new players and guys who haven't been regular starters throughout their careers.
Other than Ugo Chinasa, Orie Lemon and Markelle Martin, the Cowboys don't have any players with any extended starting experience. There are a handful who do have playing experience, like Justin Gent, Johnny Thomas and Shane Jarka, and they will be called upon to be leaders for a relatively young defensive squad.
Every bit of experience helps, and the Cowboys are fortunate to have one more player who can offer some leadership: senior cornerback Andrew McGee.
McGee has one career start under his belt, last season against Grambling State, but he was a constant contributor throughout the season. He finished the year with 32 tackles, which was eighth on the team, and also recorded a sack, an interception and six pass breakups.
After the Cowboys' 2009 Bedlam loss, however, it looked like McGee's days of playing football were over.
While attempting to tackle OU's Ryan Broyles on a punt return, McGee hit his head on Broyles' knee, causing two vertebrae in his neck to crack. The impact knocked McGee unconscious and gave him a concussion as well, so he said he has no recollection of the play happening. Even parts of the game prior to the blow are fuzzy to him.
When McGee went down with an injury and didn't get back up, cornerbacks coach Jason Jones, McGee's position coach, began to worry.
"Any time a player gets injured and the trainers have to go out there on the field, your stomach drops and you get nervous because you don't want anything to happen to them," Jones said. "It was a really stressful moment for the team, not just me, but for everybody."
McGee said he has gone back and watched the play to see what happens, but viewing the hit is something he tries to avoid.
"I went back and saw the play," McGee said. "I can't remember it at all so that's the only memory I have of it. It just looks so bad; I don't like to watch it."
After the game, McGee's condition continued to worsen. He didn't find out until the next day that his neck had been broken.
"Immediately, I thought I was gonna be paralyzed or in a wheel chair," McGee said. "That's normally what anybody would think if they had a broken neck, but I just felt blessed that I was still walking around."
McGee originally thought he wouldn't be playing football anymore. So did Jones, who was prepared to go into the 2010 season without his only senior at cornerback.
But McGee has a strong love of football and said he felt it would be an injustice to God if he didn't make the most of his second opportunity.
"I thought football was done," McGee said. "But I was just fortunate to have another chance to come back out here so I just glorify God with it."
That's exactly the type of person McGee is: he lives his life for God. He is active in the community and has been nominated for the 2010 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, the highest community service award given in college football.
He is involved with FCA and his church, and he regularly volunteers at the YMCA and juvenile centers. He is the epitome of a class act, and Jones knows it is a luxury to coach a player who stays out of trouble and continually does the right thing.
Jones also said spiritual life is one of the main reasons why McGee decided to play football again.
"As far as off-the-field, he's an outstanding young man," Jones said. "He's really involved in the community. He has a passion and a calling to help others.
"He wants to be a minister, and he uses football as a platform to minister to people.'
McGee credits his strong faith as the biggest reason why he was able to overcome such a terrible injury.
"That's the only way I got through it," McGee said. "I was raised in the church, and I have a lot of trust in God. But even though I have that, immediately I was worried about the injury.
"God just showed me that if I trust him through it all, He'll bring me out of it."
Armed with his strong faith, a little determination and a newfound passion for football, McGee began rehabbing his neck injury to return to playing shape. After the bones healed, even becoming stronger than before, McGee began a regimen of neck excercises to strengthen the neck muscles, complemented with the occasional massage to relieve stiffness.
Entering the 2010 season, McGee was one of only two OSU corners with any game experience, the other being sophomore Brodrick Brown, so Jones and the freshman corners are looking to McGee as a leader; a challenge he is more than ready for.
First, he had to get over any hesitation he might have about tackling, which he said went away after his first practice with contact. Next, he had to accept the fact that he is taking over for Perrish Cox, who is now with the Denver Broncos.
"We all know Perrish was a heck of an athlete, but I'm just gonna play my role," McGee said. "I have a different style than Perrish, but I'm just gonna do what I can every rep, I'm gonna give all I can.
"As far as a leader, I have to be that guy. I'm the only senior in the secondary, so I have to step up and be an example to the other guys."
McGee's experience, his good nature and, of course, his motivational story will be fuel for the Cowboy defense which McGee thinks will "shock the nation this year."
