Players

The Chargers’ left tackle, Marcus McNeill was the team’s Lineman of the Year in 2009 and he’s a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He protects the blind side of quarterback Philip Rivers and the two share a unique Southern bond in that Rivers grew up in Athens, Alabama and McNeill went to college in Auburn, Alabama. McNeill is popular inside the locker room where his smile and sense of humor helps to keep things light.

McNeill opted to hold out at the start of the 2010 season after being tendered as a restricted free agent. Though he could’ve extended his holdout until the end of October and still receive credit for an accrued season, McNeill reported to the team Sept. 25. He missed three games but returned to the starting lineup on Oct. 17 in St. Louis, just days after he and the Chargers agreed to terms on a longterm contract through 2015.

Though it took a bit to get his game legs back, McNeill was named a second-alternate for the Pro Bowl after starting the last 11 games of 2010 and unofficially surrendering just two sacks on the season. He was also on the field for three of the team’s top rushing performances of the year, including a 207-yard effort in the Chargers’ 31-0 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in mid-December.

The Chargers selected McNeill in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft and the choice paid immediate dividends. McNeill helped the Bolts rush for a team-record 2,578 yards in ’06, and according to the coaches’ grading system, he allowed only two sacks in close to 500 pass plays. McNeill earned All-Pro and All-Rookie honors, and became just the third rookie offensive lineman in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl.

After seeing two of his closest friends pass when they were young, McNeill has a soft spot in his heart for children. It prompted him to start “Mack’s Miracles,” a nonprofit foundation whose goal is to promote healthy lifestyles and fight childhood obesity. Since 2008 he’s hosted an annual football camp in Clarkston, Georgia, and donated $10,000 to his alma mater, Cedar Grove High School, to help with the purchase of new athletic equipment. When Marcus played at Cedar Grove, his father, James, was his coach. McNeill also pitched for Cedar Grove’s baseball team and had a fastball that registered in the mid-90s.

McNeill has a young son, Marcus II, and enjoys spending time with family. His father is now a teacher and coach at Cedar Grove Middle School and his mother, Leola, is a retired nurse and Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. McNeill’s hobbies include basketball, baseball, bowling and movies.

TRANSACTION HISTORY: Second-round choice (50), April 29, 2006...signed four-year contract, July 25...signed oneyear contract, Sept. 25, 2010...signed new five-year contract through 2015, Oct. 11.

2010: Pro Bowl second-alternate...did not report Weeks 1-2...Roster-Exempt Weeks 3-5...first start Oct. 17 at St. Louis...offensive line named Madden Most Valuable Protectors after season-high 207 yards rushing in 31-0 win vs. Kansas City Dec. 12.

2009: Pro Bowl third-alternate and Chargers Lineman of Year...Game Balls following PHI, KC and CIN games...DNA any sacks to highly-touted OLB DeMarcus Ware in Dec. 13 game at DAL.

2008: Pro Bowl third-alt…INA Wks 1-2 (neck)…returned to starting lineup Wk 3 vs. NYJ….in late 4Q comeback Dec. 14 at KC, OL allowed Philip Rivers time to complete 19 of 25 for 199 yards with two TDs as team rallied from 21-10 deficit for 22-21 win…OL protected for Rivers to throw career-high four TDs in 41-24 win at TB Dec. 21…line blocked for team-record 289 yards in AFC West clinching win over DEN Dec. 28…OL keyed 167-yards rushing in Jan. 5 Wild Card Playoff win vs. IND, including 22-yard GW TD run in OT.

2007: Pro Bowl second-alt...tabbed to play for BAL’s Jonathan Ogden…Oct. 7 at DEN, OL cleared way for 214 yards rushing and 206 Oct. 14 vs. OAK…191 rush yards behind OL in 24-10 win at KC Dec. 2 with TD runs of 31 and 28 to break 10-10 tie at half… blocked for 274 rush yards vs. DET Dec. 16, then second-most in team history…OL DNA any sacks in Jan. 13 Divisional Playoff win at IND and blocked for GW TD on 4Q one-yard QB sneak.

2006: Pro Bowl first-alt...added for CIN’s Willie Anderson…USA Today Sports Weekly All-Pro... All-Rookie by PFW and PFWA…USA Today All-Joe…Chargers co-Lineman of Year…NFL Offensive ROM in September…OL DNA any sacks and cleared way for 241 yards rushing and three TDs vs. TEN Sept. 17…150 yards rushing Wk 3 vs. BAL, which ranked first in NFL vs. run  (34.3 ypg) coming in…OL set tone for 216-yard rush vs. STL Oct. 29…co-Chargers Alumni POW with OL after 35-27 comeback win at DEN Nov. 19…line anchored 265 rush yards in 20-9 win over KC Dec. 17…blocked for 148 rush yards in Divisional Playoffs vs. NE…Pro Bowl starting RT.

COLLEGE: All-America as senior…first-team All-SEC as junior and senior…between 2002 and 2006 Capital One Bowl, 43 consecutive games without allowing sack…SEC Lineman of Week following ’04 game against Kentucky and Auburn POG following Citadel contest…2002 SEC All-Freshman…played at Auburn from 2002-05…adult education major.

PERSONAL: Born in Chicago, Illinois…All-America at Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Georgia… selected to play in Georgia-Florida All-Star Game… lettered in baseball, basketball and track…second in state in shot put.