Jim McMahon

James Robert McMahon Jr. (born August 21, 1959) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, most notably with the Chicago Bears.

McMahon played college football for the BYU Cougars, winning the Davey O'Brien Award and the Sammy Baugh Trophy as a senior.

McMahon played high school football his freshman and sophomore years at Andrew Hill High School, then moved with his family in the summer of 1975 to Roy, Utah, where he played his junior and senior years at Roy High School and graduated in 1977.

McMahon enrolled at Brigham Young University (BYU) and played college football for the Cougars.

He was their punter during his freshman season.

He also played baseball, but he played enough at quarterback to throw his first-ever collegiate touchdown pass against UTEP.

He continued as the Cougars' punter as the 1978 season began, but when Marc Wilson was injured in the third game of the season (against Colorado State), McMahon became the starting quarterback.

McMahon led BYU to victory against Colorado State, accounting for 112 passing yards, 80 rushing yards, and two touchdowns.

He was named Chevrolet Player of the Game and Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Player of the Week for his performance.

McMahon and Wilson shared quarterback duties for the rest of the season; McMahon played well enough to earn All-WAC honors and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America.

The best game of his sophomore year was against Wyoming: he passed for 317 yards and rushed for 49 more yards, earning another WAC Player of the Week award.

McMahon suffered a knee injury towards the end of the 1978 season and BYU coaches chose to redshirt him in 1979.

McMahon watched from the sidelines as Wilson set nine NCAA records, tied two others, and became the first BYU player to earn consensus first-team All-American honors; he finished third in Heisman Trophy balloting.

With Wilson graduated and in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, McMahon beat out Royce Bybee to claim the starting quarterback position in 1980.

BYU lost the opener 25–21 against New Mexico, but then won eleven straight to claim the WAC championship.

McMahon set 32 NCAA records, including single-season records for yards of total offense (4,627), passing yards (4,571), touchdown passes (47), and passing efficiency (176.9).

His best game was against Utah State; he completed 21 of 33 passes for 485 yards and six touchdowns, and added two rushing touchdowns.

That performance earned him Sports Illustrated's National Player of the Week award.

McMahon's season statistics might have been even better, but he spent significant time on the sidelines because the Cougars won many games by wide margins.

Although he started all 12 regular-season games, he only finished three of them.

BYU led the nation in passing offense, total offense, and scoring offense during the regular season.

McMahon earned numerous awards for his individual accomplishments, being named WAC Player of the Year, unanimous First-team All-WAC, Utah Sportsman of the Year, and Deseret News Athlete of the Year.

He was named to four All-America teams and finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.

In the Holiday Bowl, the Cougars faced an SMU team led by star running backs Craig James and Eric Dickerson, and the Mustangs built a 45–25 lead over BYU with just four minutes left in the game.

As Cougar fans headed for the exits, McMahon screamed that the game was not over yet.

He promptly guided BYU's offense to three quick touchdowns, including a 41-yard Hail Mary pass to Clay Brown to win the game as time expired.

It is regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in college football history; BYU fans refer to it as the "Miracle Bowl".

He was selected by the Bears fifth overall in the 1982 NFL Draft.

McMahon achieved his greatest professional success with the 1985 Bears team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XX.

He also received Pro Bowl honors during the season.

However, upon suffering a shoulder injury the following season, McMahon struggled with injuries throughout the rest of his career.

After his seven years in Chicago, McMahon played for the San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers.

He spent his final seasons in a backup role, including on the Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI.

McMahon was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

McMahon was born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

He was raised Catholic.

He moved with his family to San Jose, California, when he was three.

Growing up, McMahon played all sports in his neighborhood, encouraged by his parents.

"We told him to believe he was the best," his mother said.

"If he didn't, nobody else would."