Joe McGrath (Canadian football)

McGrath was coached by his father at Vanier Collegiate Institute in Moose Jaw and was considered an all-star in both football and basketball and the number two Canadian high school lineman at graduation.^[1]

McGrath played college football from 1999 through 2003 for the Miami Hurricanes, three years as a regular at left guard. He won a national championship with the Hurricanes in 2001.^[1]

McGrath was drafted second overall in the 2003 CFL draft by the Calgary Stampeders but was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a free agent on July 7, 2004. He appeared in 15 games at left tackle in the 2004 CFL season, all 18 regular-season games plus the playoffs and the victory in the 93rd Grey Cup in the 2005 CFL season, and started all 18 regular-season games in the 2006 CFL season. He was nominated by the Eskimos for the CFL's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award in 2006.^[1]

On February 16, 2009, McGrath became a free agent and was reportedly signed the same day by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.^[2]

McGrath requested a trade back to Edmonton, and his request was granted on June 11, 2009.^[3] He was released on August 11, 2010.

On August 19, 2010, the BC Lions added the recently released McGrath to the offensive line.^[4] He was released during the following off-season on May 24, 2011.^[5]

On October 18, 2011, McGrath was signed to the practice roster of the Calgary Stampeders.^[6]