When Willis McGahee puts on his new Baltimore Ravens jersey in September, he?ll do what comes naturally to him: run with the football.
But the running back, acquired last week in a trade with the Buffalo Bills for three draft picks, will also be looking to escape from his past. While the former University of Miami star earned accolades in Buffalo, he also gained critics. Even at last week?s news conference announcing his arrival in Baltimore, McGahee was dogged by questions that he clearly wanted to avoid.
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Before the trade, in an interview with Penthouse Magazine, he insinuated that the Bills should relocate to Toronto.
“That would be a good situation. Toronto is a beautiful place,” McGahee told the magazine. “But if they?re going to put a team there, they should just bring the Buffalo Bills to Toronto. Case closed.”
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Needless to say, a media firestorm ensued in Buffalo.
“The Toronto remark was taken out of hand,” McGahee said last week. “They asked me what I thought about the team being moved to Toronto. I said, ?Toronto is a nice place. I wouldn?t mind playing there.?”
McGahee also took criticism for his knowledge of the plays in Buffalo, his work ethic and three paternity lawsuits.
“As far as the paternity suits, if you look at it, I?m not on any child support,” McGahee said. “My kids are taken care of. I?m not worried about that.”
In another interview two years ago, the soon-to-be fifth-year back, who has averaged 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns the past three years, also claimed: “I?m the best [running] back. Case closed.”
Having replaced Jamal Lewis (1,132 yards in 2006) with McGahee (990 yards in 2006) for next season, the Ravens believe they have found a breakaway back. McGahee said he?s still the best.
“My situation wasn?t that great in Buffalo. I thank God for getting the 990, to tell you the truth,” McGahee said, laughing. “If you look at it, I missed two games and was facing nine guys in the box a lot. If you get to a better team with receivers, a quarterback, a line helping out, it?s going to be hard to stop everybody.”
