His father also worked side jobs and managed to pay for Phil and his sister, Debbie, to attend private schools.
He played both defensive back and wide receiver, earning local honors, but in his senior year in 1975 he still weighed only 140 pounds.
[1] McConkey had completed his mandatory five years in the U.S. Navy as an officer and helicopter pilot when he decided to try to play professional football at age 27.
The first person he approached was Steve Belichick, Navy's backfield coach and scout, who timed him at a speedy 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
[3] In his six NFL seasons, McConkey was used as a reserve receiver, and frequently returned punts and kickoffs on special teams.
In the fourth quarter, McConkey caught a six-yard touchdown reception after the pass bounced off the fingertips of tight end Mark Bavaro.
In 1990, McConkey ran for the United States House of Representatives for the 12th Congressional District of New Jersey, encompassing parts of Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset, Morris and Warren counties.
In the Republican primary, McConkey was defeated by Dick Zimmer, who won the recently vacated seat in the November General election.