McGrath began his college football career at Eastern Illinois University, where he red-shirted in 2006, and played sparingly in 2007, accumulating no statistics as a tight end and special teams player. However, in 2008 he started at tight end and caught 28 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns. After being dismissed from the team for a violation of teams rules, he transferred to Henderson State where he played tight end. In 2010, his first season with the Reddies, he caught 55 passes for 656 yards and four touchdowns. However, he went undrafted following the 2011 season in which an injury limited him to just four catches for 49 yards in four games.
In April 2012, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.[1] On August 31, 2012, he was released.[2] On September 1, 2012, he was signed to the practice squad.[3] On September 27, he was released from the practice squad.[4] On October 2, 2012, he was re-signed to the practice squad.[5] On December 18, 2012, he was promoted to the active roster after the team released tight end Evan Moore.[6][7][8]
The Chiefs claimed McGrath off waivers on September 1, 2013.[9] With nagging injuries to Anthony Fasano and Travis Kelce, McGrath was pushed into a starting role. He responded well, catching six passes for sixty-two yards in his first three games. Then went on to face the New York Giants in Week 4 at home leaving with five catches for sixty-four yards and a touchdown on September 29, 2013.[10]
McGrath failed to report to training camp for the 2014 season, and was then subsequently place on the reserve/did not report list. On July 26, 2014, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid announced that McGrath planned to retire.[11]
McGrath came out of retirement and signed with the Indianapolis Colts in June 2015. On September 5, 2015, he was waived by the Colts.[12] After signing to the practice squad in October 2015, he was released on October 26.[13]
On November 10, 2015, McGrath was signed by the Chargers.[14] On November 21, 2015, he was waived.[15] On November 24, 2015, he was signed to the practice squad.[16] On December 28, 2015, McGrath was promoted to the 53-man roster.[17]
Media related to Sean McGrath (American football) at Wikimedia Commons
