Cade McNown was born in Portland, Oregon on January 12th, 1977. While a teenager living in Hollister, California, Cade moved to West Linn, Oregon where he excelled on the football field as free safety and quarterback for West Linn High School. As a senior, he led his team to the state semifinals and was recruited by UCLA.
As a top high school prospect who ran a pro-style offense, McNown became UCLA’s starting quarterback just four games into his freshman year of college. Although his collegiate career was shaky that first year, he learned quickly and would become not only one of the most successful quarterbacks in UCLA history, but also one of the most successful in PAC-10 conference history. During his four years at UCLA (he rejected eligibility of the NFL draft following his junior year, despite the high probability of becoming an early pick) Cade amassed record-number yards and pass completions.
As a junior, he led his team to a 10-2 record, ten consecutive victories, a rank of fifth in the country, a share of the conference championship, and an appearance in the Cotton Bowl. As a senior, Cade again led the Bruins to ten consecutive wins, earning UCLA the conference championship and an appearance in the Rose Bowl. Cade was recipient of many awards following his senior season, including PAC-10 Offensive Player of The Year and the Johnny Unitas Award for top senior quarterback in the country.
He broke the PAC-10 conference’s all time record for total offense, and was inducted into UCLA’s Hall of Fame in 2009.
Chosen 12th overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1999 NFL draft, Cade McNown‘s professional football career was ultimately brief yet well-traveled. Drafted as Eric Kramer’s replacement, he assumed the backup role until starter Shane Mathews suffered an injury to his hamstring early in the season. Cade struggled as a starter, though he broke the Bears’ rookie record for passes and completions. During his second season, he injured his shoulder, and his total statistics for two seasons in Chicago were 3,111 yards passing, 16 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. He would remain in the NFL for two more seasons. In 2001 he was traded to the Miami Dolphins, followed by a trade to the San Francisco 49ers in 2002, and then released by the 49ers in 2003.
Since retirement from professional football, Cade has taken an interest in speaking out against the dangers of steroid and pain killer use and abuse by professional athletes, specifically among football players. He is also a member of Pros For Africa, a nonprofit organization concerned with providing poverty-stricken children in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan with clothes, food, shelter and medical supplies. In 2008, he was also named senior vice president of a real estate investment firm in southern California.