Historic
Roster
Lester McClain
- Position:
- Wingback
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-3 / 197
- Hometown:
- Antioch, Tenn.
CAREER TOTALS
- Receptions: 70
- Receiving Yards: 1,003
- Receiving TDs: 10
- Carries: 30
- Rushing Yards: 123
- Rushing TDs: 2
- Kickoff Returns: 8
- Kickoff Return Yards: 168
While Lester McClain's accomplishments on the field were enough to etch his name in the record books, his true legacy expands to this day and for generations to come. The Antioch, Tennessee, native was the first Black student-athlete at the University of Tennessee, playing varsity football from 1968-70. In 1968, he became the first Black SEC player to score a touchdown when he hauled in his first of two scoring receptions during UT's 24-7 win at Georgia Tech on Oct. 12. The foundation laid by McClain paved the way for other Black athletes at UT, including Condredge Holloway, who was the first Black starting quarterback in the SEC, and Tee Martin, who led the Vols to their 1998 championship and became the first Black quarterback in the SEC to win a national title. McClain's on-field contributions included catching 70 passes for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed 30 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns and returned eight kickoffs for 168 yards. McClain was selected by the Chicago Bears in the ninth round in the 1971 NFL Draft. On Sept. 2, 2021, McClain was among four Black Tennessee football trailblazers who were honored with statues of their likeness dedicated outside of Gate 21 at Neyland Stadium.
1970 - SENIOR
- Helped lead the Vols to an 11-1 record and Sugar Bowl title as a senior.
- Finished the season with 24 receptions for 341 yards and one touchdown.
- Rushed the ball five times for 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
- Also served as the team's leading returner on kickoffs, bringing eight kicks back for 168 yards (21.0 avg).
- Caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Scott in UT's win over UCLA (12/5/1970).
- Posted his second rushing touchdown of the season with an 11-yard scramble against Army (10/31/1970).
- Scooped up a fumble and took it 39 yards to the house for a touchdown against SMU in the season-opener (9/19/1970).
1969 - JUNIOR
- Helped the Vols to an SEC Championship as the starting wingback.
- Caught 17 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns.
- Rushed the ball twice for 12 yards.
- Grabbed a 23-yard touchdown to help the Vols clinch the SEC Championship with a win against Vanderbilt (11/29/1969).
- Recorded his second touchdown of the season on an eight-yard pass from Bobby Scott to beat Georgia Tech (10/11/1969).
- Set the then-program record for longest play with an 82-yard touchdown reception against Memphis (10/4/1969), a mark that still ranks inside the top 10 in UT history; he finished the game with a career-best 121 yards receiving.
1968 - SOPHOMORE
- Led the Vols in receiving touchdowns with six scoring grabs on the year while ranking second in second in catches (29) and third in receiving yards (329).
- Was the team's third-leading scorer for the year with 36 points.
- Had three rushes for 18 yards.
- Hauled in two receiving touchdowns in Tennessee's 24-7 win against Kentucky (11/23/1968).
- Posted his second two-touchdown game of the season against Ole Miss (11/16/1968), scoring on passes of 37 and three yards in the 31-0 victory.
- Made history as the first Black SEC player to score a touchdown when he hauled in his first of two scoring receptions during UT's 24-7 win at Georgia Tech (10/12/1968).
- Named the UPI Southern Offensive Player of the Week after his breakout performance against Georgia Tech, scoring on passing plays of 24 and 12 yards--the first touchdowns of his career.
1967 - FRESHMAN
- Due to NCAA rules, freshmen were ineligible to compete in varsity football until 1972.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Graduated from Antioch High School in Antioch, Tennessee
- Credits UT alum Dr. Bill Garrett with playing a key role in him receiving an opportunity to receive a scholarship to the University of Tennessee
PERSONAL
- Born on Sept. 17, 1949
- Completed his UT degree in Business in 1993
