Born in Flint, Michigan, he competed sporadically in track and field events at a young age before settling on long jump.

He began higher studies at Middle Tennessee State University and competed athletically for their Blue Raiders team.

[5] In terms of performance, McGhee entered the top ten jumpers nationally in the 1992 season with a jump of 8.06 m (26 ft 5+1⁄4 in).

He qualified for the 1995 World Championships in Athletics long jump after Carl Lewis withdrew, but failed to record a valid mark there after suffering a groin strain.

He did not record a valid mark at the 1996 United States Olympic Trials and was tenth at the 1997 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

[9][10] This was the last time he broke eight meters at the competition, however, as he was fourth at the national championships in 1999 and 2002 and seventh at the 2000 United States Olympic Trials.