The first honorary captain of the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ football season is one of the best defensive backs in program history.Â
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ announced on Thursday that Chris McAlister will be the honorary captain for the No. 21-ranked Wildcats' season opener against New Mexico on Saturday.
In three seasons at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ from 1996-98, McAlister carved out one of the best defensive careers in UA history. McAlister, a UA Sports Hall of Famer, was a three-time All-Pac-10 selection and All-American in '98. He helped ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to a Holiday Bowl to end the Wildcats' 12-1 season in 1998, the best season in program history. McAlister's 18 career interceptions at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ ranks third in program history behind Chuck Cecil (21) and Jackie Wallace (20).
McAlister became the 10th overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft and won one Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, which had one of the best defenses in NFL history. McAlister was an All-Pro selection in 2003. In 11 seasons as an NFL player, mostly with the Ravens, McAlister recorded 431 tackles, 137 pass deflections, 26 interceptions and seven touchdowns.Â
People are also reading…
No. 21 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ kicks off the 2024 season against New Mexico at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 10: Look out for these Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ players this high school football season
