Jacksonville State University Athletics

  Keith McKeller, a Fairfield native, was a two-sport standout with the Gamecocks, but he did it in an unconventional way.  A highly respected tight end in high school, McKeller signed a basketball scholarship with Jacksonville State.  During his four-year career, the 6-4, 220-pound McKeller led the Gulf conference honors four consecutive years. In addition to being named the “Most Valuable Player” in the 1984-85 GSC Tournament, he helped the Gamecocks to a 31-1 record that same year, including a 31-game winning streak, and the NCAA Division II National Championship.  He concluded his basketball career as JSU’s second all-time leading rebounded with 1,209 and fourth leading scorer with 1,495 points.  In 1986, he walked on with the Gamecock football team, having not played a down of football since his high school days.  He immediately became the starting tight end, and led Jacksonville State in pass receiving that year, hauling in 26 passes for 449 yards and three touchdowns.  McKeller impressed the Buffalo Bills enough that they took him in the ninth round of the 1987 National League draft.  After two years on the inactive roster, McKeller became a solid fixture in the Bills offense. In addition to hauling in 121 passes for 1,383 yards and 10 touchdowns during his NFL career, he was the starting tight end in four consecutive Super Bowls (1990, 91’, ’92 and ’93).  Injuries forced an early retirement in 1993, but McKeller still ranks third on the Bills’ all-time list for receptions by a tight end with 121.