Canton native McGee uses brilliant idea in search of NFL chance
Freddie McGee III is pictured outside Detroit Lions headquarters Monday morning, holding a sign that sums up his quest to get a shot at the NFL.
With a brilliant stroke of marketing, Canton native and Salem alum Freddie McGee III was proactive Monday morning in his quest to land an opportunity to land a job as a defensive back in the NFL.
A former star DB at Eastern Michigan University, McGee, with a pair of tied-together cleats hanging from his neck, stood outside the Detroit Lions headquarters in Allen Park Monday with a hand-painted sign that read: THIS IS GRIT. NO AGENT. 14 INT (interceptions), 23 PBU (pass break-ups) DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year) in AFL (Arena Football League). NEED 1 SHOT.
While the bold ploy may not earn the talented Canton native a job in the NFL, it created a buzz across social media, stretching to ESPN, which thought McGee’s sign was so imaginative, it featured him on ESPN.com.
No agent, loads of talent
“God put it on my heart,” McGee told ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “I’ve had this goal since I was 5.”
McGee definitely has the resume to at least get a sgit in the NFL as a free agent. He led the AFL in pass break-ups (22) and interceptions (11) in 2024 and was a highly-decorated player for EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton.
Veteran of overcoming obstacles
Although just 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds — not ideal size for the NFL — McGee has blazing speed and elite instincts.
He’s not a stranger to succeeding despite long odds. At EMU, he went from a walk-on to a starting scholarship player.
McGee was a teammate of current Detroit Lion undrafted linebacker Trevor Nowaske at Salem High School.
Best of luck to Freddie in his quest to reach the NFL, which if he succeeds, may make him the star of a Disney biopic.
