The end to his suspension makes McClain an NFL free agent. McClain was a football and basketball star for Decatur High School before earning the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award while playing for the undefeated Alabama team that won the BCS national-championship team for the 2009 season. McClain was the eighth player selected in the 2010 NFL Draft, going to the Oakland Raiders. McClain made the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team, but he played his final game for the Raiders on Nov. 25, 2012.
In five NFL seasons, McClain played in 65 regular-season and two playoff games, with 63 starts. He recorded 407 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and four interceptions in regular-season action. “I’m still me in every way,” McClain said. “… I’m ready for the NFL now. Like riding a bike. Football is life. I love the game.’’
