Raleigh McKenzie attended Austin-East High School in Knoxville, where he played both linebacker and offensive line from 1977-80. McKenzie was named the 11th-best recruit in Tennessee by the Knoxville News Sentinel following his senior year.
McKenzie signed scholarship papers and played for the University of Tennessee from 1981 to 1984. He played linebacker as a freshman but switched to center during his sophomore season. He played alongside All-America Bill Mayo and future NFL lineman Bruce Wilkerson. McKenzie anchored a line that helped running back Johnnie Jones (a fellow 2018 Inductee) set school records for rushing in 1984. McKenzie’s position coach was future Vol head coach, Athletic Director and 2010 Inductee, Phillip Fulmer. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and played in the collegiate post-season Japan Bowl in 1985. In September 2011, McKenzie was honored as UT‘s “Legends of the Game” and the night before had his jersey retired by Austin-East High School.
McKenzie played guard for the Washington Redskins from 1985 to 1994. Nicknamed “Rallo,” he played primarily as a reserve during his first season before becoming a vital starter. He started in each game after that at any of the five positions on the offensive line, but his specialty was center. McKenzie soon became an integral part of the ‘Hogs O-line. He played on two Super Bowl Champion teams in 1987 and 1991. He was named to the All-NFL Team in 1991. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, and Green Bay Packers. With the average career in the NFL being a little over three years McKenzie had an amazing career totaling 16 years and 227 games; of which, 184 were as a starter before retiring in 2001.
McKenzie joined the Redskins for training camp in 2001 assisting the personnel department. He also ran the summer football camp. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Education from Marymount University, McKenzie was an assistant football coach and teacher at Herndon High School in Virginia, before joining his brother in Oakland. He is now a college scout for the Oakland Raiders.
Raleigh and his wife, Martha, are the parents of three children Rachel, Raleigh Jr. and Malcolm. They have one grandson, Elijah.