Arizona Wildcats: Top 30 athletes in school history
Former Arizona Wildcats football player Chris McAlister will always be remembered for his kick and punt returns and turning them into points.
Chris McAlister, originally from Pasadena, California, played defensive back for the Arizona Wildcats from 1996-1998. In 1996, he transferred to the University of Arizona from Mt. San Antonio College. During his time at Arizona, he returned 42 punts for 1,095 yards, averaging 25.5 yards per return. He was also unanimously voted Consensus All-American in 1998, he was also elected to the first-team All-Pac-10 selection for three straight seasons.
As the nation’s top player in the kick returning game, McAlister was awarded the Mosi Tatupu Special Teams Player of the Year Award in 1998. One thing unique about his college career was that he was the first in Arizona history and only the seventh player in college football history, to return a kickoff, punt, and interception for touchdowns in the same season.
McAlister was drafted No. 10 in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He played for the Ravens for ten seasons before playing his final season with the New Orleans Saints. McAlister was invited to the Pro Bowl three times.
He recorded a key interception helping the Ravens win the 2000 Superbowl (XXXV) by beating the New York Giants, 34-7. While playing with the Ravens, he set a new record for the longest play; he had run back a missed field goal 107 yards for a touchdown.
McAlister ran into financial troubles, and in 2011 was living with his parents to make ends meet, he retired from the NFL in 2009.
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