Mike McGlynn went 2-2 in his Backyard Brawl appearances at Pitt, but he certainly went out on a high note.
McGlynn, who starred as a Pitt offensive lineman from 2004-07 before being selected in the 2008 NFL Draft, was a workhorse at Pitt. He played in every game in his career, starting every one after earning a starting spot early in his freshman season. But it’s that last game, a 13-9 win against West Virginia that will always stand out.
Now he’s back in Pittsburgh, serving as captain in the 107th Backyard Brawl. Pat Narduzzi announced McGlynn’s captainship Friday night and outlined his credentials:
- 4-year letterman
- two Bowl game appearances (Continental Tire, Fiesta)
- 2-time Ed Conway Award winner
- Senior Bowl participant
- 4th round selection in 2008 NFL Draft
- eight seasons in NFL
McGlynn was an Iron Man at Pitt, and after being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008, he went on to play eight seasons in the NFL.
After tearing his hamstring in the 2008 Playoffs, he missed every game during the 2009 season. But he returned to start 14 games in 2010. He would go on to start for the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs, too. He served as a reserve guard for the New Orleans Saints in 2015. He played 83 games in all, making 61 starts.
McGlynn serves as the head coach at Lake Minneola High School in Florida and has been an active alumni, staying involved with the football program.
McGlynn is the third honorary captain this season, joining former offensive lineman Jason Pinkston and former long snapper Cal Adomitis.
The Backyard Brawl is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, with ESPN2 broadcasting the matchup for those who will not be in attendance. It’s a sellout crowd and 70,623 fans would set a new sporting attendance record in Pittsburgh.
