Tommy McDonald

Eagles Hall of Fame flanker who led NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns in 1961.

Thomas Franklin McDonald (July 26, 1934 – September 24, 2018) was an American professional football flanker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Rams, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Cleveland Browns. He played college football as a halfback for the Oklahoma Sooners. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.

Quick Facts

Position: Flanker
Born: 26 July 1934
Birthplace: Roy, New Mexico, U.S.
Died: 24 September 2018
Place of death: Audubon, Pennsylvania, U.S.
High school: Highland (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
College: Oklahoma (1954–1956)
Draft year: 1957

Lore & Background

McDonald was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1957 NFL draft. As a rookie, he was moved to wide receiver after he replaced an injured Bill Stribling in the ninth game of the season, making a 61-yard reception and a 25-yard receiving touchdown from quarterback Sonny Jurgensen. He was a part of the team that won the 1960 NFL Championship against Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers. In the contest, he had a 35-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Norm Van Brocklin. In 1961, he led the NFL in receiving yards (1,144) and touchdowns (13). Against the New York Giants, he had 7 receptions for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns, which still is a franchise single-game record. On March 20, 1964, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Sam Baker, John Meyers, and Lynn Hoyem.

Reader's Guide

McDonald was selected for six Pro Bowls, led the league in touchdown receptions twice (1958, 1961), and led the league in receiving yards once (1961). He finished his career with 495 receptions for 8,410 yards and 84 touchdowns, the second-highest total of touchdown receptions in NFL history at the time. He also rushed for 22 yards and gained 1,459 yards and a touchdown returning punts and kickoffs on special teams, giving him 9,891 career all-purpose yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

Did You Know?

He wrote an autobiography titled 'They Pay Me to Catch Footballs' published in 1962.
He owned Tommy McDonald Enterprises, a studio that did portrait paintings and plaques of athletes.
He is one of at least 345 NFL players to be diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Tommy McDonald?

He was a dynamic halfback for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1957 to 1963 known for his exceptional speed and agility. Fans remember him as one of the most exciting offensive players in franchise history during that era.

What were his major accolades?

During his career, he earned three Pro Bowl selections between 1958 and 1960 along with two First Team All-Pro honors. These awards highlight his status as one of the league's elite running backs during those seasons.