Fear “The Beard”: Who is Sean McGrath?
By Nick Floyd
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
When Anthony Fasano and Travis Kelce went down with injuries, the Kansas City Chiefs were looking thin at the tight end position. That’s putting it lightly.
Chicago native Sean McGrath, a 6-5 247 pound former Henderson State “Reddie” is quickly becoming a fan favorite around Arrowhead. His most notable feature is a Duck Dynasty style beard, complete with a shaved head that gives him his unique look; especially with the beard protruding around the chin strap of his helmet. But looks aside, this Chiefs’ tight end is becoming a good target for quarterback Alex Smith.
His college career began with Eastern Illinois University where, in 2008, he caught 28 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns. He then transferred to Henderson State University where he finished 2011 with 55 receptions for 656 yards and three touchdowns. McGrath was injured in 2012, and as a result went undrafted. He ended up on the Seattle Seahawks practice squad during the 2012 season; where he was active for only two games and did not record any stats. After some on-again, off-again signings with the Seahawks, he was eventually released and claimed off waivers by the Chiefs on September 1st.
On September 29th against the New York Giants, McGrath was the leading receiver on the day with 65 yards and his first career touchdown.
“I found myself sitting open right in the back of the end zone there and as Coach (Andy) Reid would say, (Alex) dotted me with the ball,” McGrath said, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. “I saw it come in and all I was thinking was just catch it, catch it, catch it.”
For Chiefs Kingdom, “The Beard” is proving himself on the field by making key plays and extending drives. As the two starting tight ends continue to try to get back on the field, we can be sure that McGrath will be a steady target. Smith, from his time in San Francisco, loves throwing to tight ends, and considering McGrath has caught 11 of the 13 total passes thrown his way for 126 yards and a score this season, you can be sure Smith will be looking for the “Beard” down the field.
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