Terry McCann was a two-time NCAA champion at the University of Iowa and placed third once, with an overall college record of 36-3-1. He won three AAU national titles and was 6-0-1 against the touring Russians. He won the gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games at 125.5 pounds. He had an estimated overall record of 87-4-1.

McCann helped found a new national governing body for the sport, the United States Wrestling Federation (now called USA Wrestling) and is credited with the United States' increasing involvement in the international wrestling scene. He spent four years as president of USA Wrestling and six years on the board of FILA (the FILA Bureau), the international governing body of wrestling. In addition, he served for many years in various capacities on the United States Olympic Committee.

McCann died on June 7, 2006 due to asbestos related cancer.