McGarity attended Tom C. Clark High School. He was the starter at running back as a junior, registering 890 rushing yards before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. As a senior, he rushed for 1,606 yards and 22 touchdowns on 233 carries. He was a three-time district champion in the 100 metres, qualifying twice for the state finals.
College career
McGarity accepted a football scholarship from the University of Texas. In 1994, he was declared a medical redshirt, after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. As a freshman, he appeared in every game as a backup running back. The next year, he was converted into a wide receiver, posting 18 receptions for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns. As a junior, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, during the third game of the season against Rice University. He opened the year by tallying 5 receptions for 105 yards against Rutgers University. McGarity blossomed as a fifth-year senior, compiling 58 receptions for 1,087 yards with an 18.7 average and 9 receiving touchdowns, including making the longest reception in school history against the University of Oklahoma. He finished his college career with 95 receptions, 1,687 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, most touchdown receptions in one game and most 100-yard receiving games in one season.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
McGarity was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared only in 5 games because of injuries and being declared inactive. He missed 4 contests after dislocating his right shoulder against the New York Giants in the fifth game of the season. He fractured his right ring finger in practice and was placed on the injured reserve list on December 10, missing the last 4 games. In, he was the NFC's third leading punt returner with an 11.8 yard average. He was one of only 2 players in the league to return 2 punts for touchdowns. He became the third player in NFL history to return a punt for a touchdown against the same opponent in different games during the same season. He also played as a slot wide receiver, tying for fourth on the team with 25 receptions for 250 yards. He was waived on October 3,.
On March 12,, he signed as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints. After appearing in 9 games, he wasn't re-signed at the end of the season.
Calgary Stampeders (CFL)
On September 25,, he was signed by the Calgary Stampeders. McGarity in was the West Division's top special teams player and was named to the CFL All-Star team. In he finished with 47 receptions for 599 yards and 3 touchdowns.
