Wane Keith McGarity (born September 30, 1976) is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Texas.
Early years
McGarity attended Tom C. Clark High School. As a junior, he was the starter at running back, registering 890 rushing yards before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. As a senior, he rushed for 1,606 yards and 22 touchdowns on 233 carries.
He was a three-time district champion in the 100 metres, qualifying twice for the state finals.
College career
McGarity accepted a football scholarship from the University of Texas. In 1994, he was declared a medical redshirt, after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
As a freshman, he appeared in every game as a backup running back. As a sophomore, he was converted into a wide receiver, posting 18 receptions for 318 yards (17.7 average) and 4 touchdowns.
As a junior, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, during the third game of the season against Rice University. He opened the year by tallying 5 receptions for 105 yards against Rutgers University. He finished with 10 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown.
McGarity blossomed as a fifth-year senior, compiling 58 receptions (school record) for 1,087 yards (school record) with an 18.7 average (school record) and 9 receiving touchdowns (second in school history), including making the longest reception (97 yards) in school history against the University of Oklahoma. He recorded the most touchdown receptions in one game in school history, having 4 against Texas Tech.
He totaled 95 receptions (sixth in school history), 1,687 receiving yards (third in school history), 14 touchdowns (third in school history) and most 100-yard receiving games in one season (7 in 1998).
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
McGarity was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (118th pick overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared only in 5 games because of injuries and being declared inactive. Following Michael Irvin's career-ending neck injury against the Philadelphia Eagles, McGarity had his first professional receptions in the fifth game against the New York Giants, making 3 catches for 36 yards, before dislocating his right shoulder. He would miss the next 4 contests. He made his first career start in the twelfth game against the New England Patriots in place of an injured Ernie Mills, making him the first rookie to start at wide receiver for the Cowboys since Kevin Williams in 1993. McGarity had 3 receptions for 31 yards against the Patriots. He fractured his right ring finger in practice and was placed on the injured reserve list on December 10, missing the last 4 games.