As a senior, he started all 12 games at left guard for the 1971 Michigan team that compiled an 11-1 record, scored 421 points,[6] and broke Michigan's all-time record with 3,977 net rushing yards (331 rushing yards per game).[4] McKenzie was a consensus first-team player on the 1971 College Football All-America Team.[7]
Professional football
McKenzie was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round (27th overall pick) of the 1972 NFL draft.[1] He played 11 years for the Bills from 1972 to 1982.[1] He was selected as a first-team All-NFL player in 1973 (Associated Press and Pro Football Writers) and 1974 (Pro Football Writers).[1] He and Joe DeLamielleure were O. J. Simpson's pulling guards on his frequent sweep runs that made him the first 2,000-yard rusher during the 1973 NFL season.[8][9] He was often referred to by Simpson as his "main man" and was the leader of the team's "Electric Company" which "turned on the Juice".
McKenzie also played for the Seattle Seahawks (1983-1984).[1] In his 13-year NFL career, he appeared in 171 games, 169 as a starter.[1]
Later years and honors
After retiring from football, McKenzie established Reggie McKenzie Industrial Materials, an industrial products company based in Livonia, Michigan. He is also the founder of the Reggie McKenzie Foundation, an organization that helps Detroit youth with athletics and academics.[10]
^"1970 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
^ ab"Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2015.(to retrieve information for a particular season, go to "Games & Totals by Season" and select the year for which statistics are to be retrieved)