Kim McQuilken

Kim McQuilken (born February 26, 1951) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins and the United States Football League (USFL) with the Washington Federals. He played college football for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. His business career includes over 20 years as a football color commentator on radio and TV and two decades as a senior sales and marketing executive with Ted Turner's Turner Broadcasting System.

In 1971, McQuilken's sophomore season the team posted its first winning record in over a decade going 8-3 and setting numerous offensive records. McQuilken passed for over 2,000 yards in ‘71 setting new Lehigh records for yardage, attempts, and completions. By the middle of his junior year (1972) McQuilken would own every Lehigh game, season, and career passing record. In his 1973 senior season, Lehigh went 7-3-1 and won the Lambert Cup.

McQuilken was named third-team All-American by the AP in 1972 and would be a consensus 1st-Team All-American in his senior year (1973) including the AP and Kodak Coaches All-American teams. He was also named the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association (ECAC) player of the year in 1973 as well as The New York Times 1st team All-East QB (across all division levels). He was recognized as team MVP in 1973 and Lehigh University awarded McQuilken the Undergraduate Merit Award in 1974 for bringing recognition to the University. McQuilken graduated with career stats of 516 completions, 6,996 yards, and 37 touchdowns in his three years of eligibility all Lehigh records at the time. McQuilken was chosen to play in the North–South Shrine Game held annually on Christmas night in the Orange Bowl. He was also on invitation lists to the Coaches’ All-America Bowl in Lubbock, Texas, and the East-West Shrine game in San Francisco. While playing in the North–South game, McQuilken tore his MCL and declined the remaining Bowl invitations. In 1995, McQuilken was inducted into the Roger Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame.

Professional career McQuilken was selected in the third round (69th pick) of the 1974 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He was the third quarterback chosen in the 1974 draft. He was also drafted in the second round by the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League. McQuilken ultimately signed a three-year contract with the Falcons. He was initially slotted behind starting Quarterback Bob Lee and former Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan with former Quarterback and Hall of Famer Norm Van Brocklin as head coach. The team got off to a 2–6 start in the 1974 season and the coach was terminated mid-season. DC Marion Campbell was named interim coach and began to work McQuilken into the rotation.

McQuilken played in five games in the 1974 season (his rookie season ) including the final two as starter. With the season-ending 3–11 record, none of the Falcons QBs experienced much success. McQuilken posted no TDs vs 9 interceptions while starter Bob Lee would end the season with 3 TD passes and 14 interceptions. Pat Sullivan would add 3 TDs and 8 interceptions.