Did Booger McFarland Play in the NFL? Revisiting the 2-Time Super Bowl Champion’s Pro and College Football Career

Booger McFarland is well-known as a pundit on numerous sports activities speak reveals. Nonetheless, earlier than embarking on a broadcasting profession, he had one other job. One fundamental reality about Booger McFarland is that “Booger” will not be his actual title. His actual title is Anthony Darelle McFarland. Right here’s a take a look at the defensive lineman’s faculty and soccer profession.

Booger McFarland Starred for LSU Tigers

Suiting up at nostril guard, McFarland was a four-year starter at Louisiana State College the place he served as defensive co-captain throughout his senior season. In line with the Tigers website, the 6-foot-1, 290-pounder completed No. 6 on LSU’s all-time sack record with 17 quarterback takedowns.

McFarland gained many awards throughout his faculty profession, together with accolades for 1995 SEC Freshman Co-Defensive Participant of the 12 months, 1996 Peach Bowl SEC Defensive MVP, 1996 Second-Crew All-SEC, and 1998 First-Crew All-American and First-Crew All-SEC.

In 1995, LSU used him at fullback in short-yardage conditions, and he caught a landing move in opposition to Florida. McFarland didn’t have a redshirt season, both, proving that he didn’t want any time to heat as much as the faculty degree. He was prepared on Day 1.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Drafted LSU Star

McFarland was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 15 general within the 1999 NFL Draft and went on to play eight seasons there. He would rack up 22.5 sacks and 257 complete tackles (49 for loss) in 109 video games, together with a short stint in Indianapolis.

Throughout his first season with Tampa Bay, McFarland noticed motion in 14 video games whereas choosing up a sack in a part-time position. The Buccaneers transitioned McFarland to a starter in 2000 and watched him shine with a career-high 6.5 sacks in 16 video games. He additionally totaled 50 complete tackles, tying his career-best numbers in that statistic.

McFarland remained a productive participant for the franchise till the 2006 season when Tampa Bay despatched him packing to the Indianapolis Colts. He recorded 2.5 sacks in 11 video games in what can be his remaining NFL season, enjoying alongside Peyton Manning.

“My first day in the locker room he played a joke on me,” McFarland said about Manning. “He got the pen, and he goes, ‘Hey, I need you to sign this ball.’ And it’s one of those pens that when you press it down it shocks you.”

These two cast a quick friendship after that. McFarland retired with two Tremendous Bowl championships, one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 (he didn’t play in that sport) and one other one with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. The latter noticed him accumulate two sacks over 4 playoff video games, culminating within the elevating of the Lombardi Trophy.