Tommy McDonald Philadelphia Eagles & Los Angeles Rams & Atlanta Falcons & Cleveland Browns & Dallas Cowboys

"I think catching passes is judgment, mostly. I’ve got good vision; good peripheral vision. I think sometimes I can see things the defensive back doesn’t see. I watch for him to make his move—you’ve got to study the guys in this league—and if he’s a fraction late compensating for mine, then I’ve got him beat."

Wide receiver Tommy McDonald was a third-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957. An All-America choice at Oklahoma, he won the Maxwell Award in 1956 as college football’s player of the year. During his three years of varsity play at Oklahoma, the Sooners never lost a game.

A six-time Pro Bowl selection (1959-1963 and 1966), McDonald played seven seasons with the Eagles (1957-1963), one with the Dallas Cowboys (1964), two with the Los Angeles Rams (1965-1966), and one each with the Atlanta Falcons (1967) and the Cleveland Browns (1968).

Although he was just 5-9 and 176 pounds, McDonald was extremely durable and missed only three games in his first 11 seasons. He had elusive speed and used his running skills brilliantly after making his catches, finishing his career with an average of 17 yards per catch and 84 touchdowns.

A sure-handed receiver, McDonald had few peers when it came to putting the ball in the end zone. In the years 1958-62, he had 56 touchdown receptions in 63 games, including a 35-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Norm Van Brocklin in the 1960 NFL Championship Game in which the Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers 17-13.

His career ratio of touchdowns-to-receptions is an impressive 1 in 5.9. He also caught at least one pass in 93 consecutive games. Used primarily as a kickoff and punt-return specialist during his rookie season, McDonald ranked sixth all-time in receptions (495), fourth in yards receiving (8,410) and second in touchdown catches (84) when he retired following the 1968 season.

McDonald, who was born in Roy, New Mexico, had an outstanding season in 1961. Not only did he lead the NFL in reception yardage (1,144) and in touchdowns (13), but in a game against the New York Giants he caught seven passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns, which is still an Eagles’ single-game best.

Tommy McDonald's Stats

Tommy McDonald's Championship Games

Championship Games

1960 NFL – Philadelphia Eagles 17, Green Bay Packers 13
McDonald started at right halfback for the Eagles. He caught three passes for a game-high 90 yards and one touchdown. His score, a 35-yard pass play from Norm Van Brocklin in the second quarter, was the Eagles first touchdown of the day.

1968 NFL – Baltimore Colts 34, Cleveland Browns 0
McDonald played for the Browns but did not start. He had no catches.

Tommy McDonald's Career Highlights

All-League Teams

All-NFL: 1960 (NEA)

All-NFL Second Team: 1959 (AP, UPI) • 1960 (UPI) • 1962 (AP, NEA)

All-Eastern Conference: 1959 (SN) • 1960 (SN)

Pro Bowls

(6) – 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1966

In the NFL Record Book

(At time of his retirement following 1968 season)

• [2nd] Most Touchdowns Receiving, Career – 84
• [3rd] Most Consecutive Games with a Reception – 93 (1957-1964)
• [3rd] Most Yards Receiving, Career – 8,410

Team Records

Eagles' records held by McDonald
(Records through the 1963 season, McDonald's last season with Philadelphia)

• [1st] Most Touchdowns Receiving, Season – 13 (1960, 1961)
• [1st] Most Receptions, Season – 64 (1961)
• [1st] Most Yards Receiving, Game – 237 (vs. New York Giants, Dec. 10, 1961)
• [1st] Most Yards Receiving, Season – 1,146 (1962)
• [1st] Longest Punt Return – 81 yards (vs. New York Giants, Oct. 4, 1959)
• [Tied for 1st] Most TDs, Game – 4 (vs. New York Giants, Oct. 4, 1959 - 3 rec., 1 punt return)
• [Tied for 2nd] Most Receptions, Game – 11 (vs. St. Louis Cardinals, Oct. 15, 1961)

Rams' records held by McDonald
(Records through the 1966 season, McDonald's last season with Los Angeles)

• [Tied 3rd] Most Touchdown Receptions, Season – 9 (1965)
• [4th] Most Receptions, Season – 67 (1965)

Falcons' records held by McDonald
(Records through the 1967 season, McDonald's last season with Atlanta)

• [1st] Most Touchdown Receptions, Season – 4 (1967)
• [Tied 1st] Most Touchdowns, Game – 2 (vs. Minnesota Vikings, Oct. 29, 1967)
• [Tied 1st] Most Consecutive Games with a Reception – 12 (1967)
• [2nd] Longest Pass Reception – 75 yards (vs. Baltimore Colts, Nov. 12, 1967)

Note: McDonald did not set any team records as a member of the Cowboys or Browns.

Tommy McDonald's Career Capsule

Full Name: Thomas Franklin McDonald

Birthdate: July 26, 1934

Birthplace: Roy, New Mexico

High School: Roy (NM), Highland (Albuquerque, NM)

Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: January 24, 1998

Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: August 1, 1998

Presenter: Ray Didinger, Philadelphia sportswriter

Other Members of Class of 1998: Paul Krause, Anthony Muñoz, Mike Singletary, Dwight Stephenson

Pro Career: 12 seasons, 152 games

Drafted: 3rd round (31st overall) by Philadelphia Eagles

Uniform Number: 25, (29, 8)

 

Tommy McDonald Enshrinement speech