Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. For twelve seasons (1957 to 1968), he played at the wide-receiver position in the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns. Born Thomas Franklin McDonald. he made his initial mark on the football field during his years at Highland High School in New Mexico. He continued on the collegiate level at the University of Oklahoma, where he became a star halfback and scoring machine under legendary coach Bud Wilkinson. He achieved All-American honors twice, as he displayed his enjoyment for the game with a combination of sure-handedness and speed. Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 3rd round of the 1957 NFL Draft, he totaled 152 career regular season games. McDonald experienced a world championship when the Eagles captured the NFL Title in 1960. He scored a crucial touchdown during that game against the Green Bay Packers at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. During the course of his career, he earned Pro-Bowl honors six-times and at the time of his retirement, he was second on the all-time touchdown catches list with 84. After retiring from football, he became an accomplished painter. He was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and was named to the Philadelphia Eagles Roll of Honor in 1988. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. McDonald was the subject of a play "Tommy and Me" penned by Hall of Fame sports journalist Ray Didinger which recounted their close friendship. McDonald died of complications from dementia.
Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. For twelve seasons (1957 to 1968), he played at the wide-receiver position in the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns. Born Thomas Franklin McDonald. he made his initial mark on the football field during his years at Highland High School in New Mexico. He continued on the collegiate level at the University of Oklahoma, where he became a star halfback and scoring machine under legendary coach Bud Wilkinson. He achieved All-American honors twice, as he displayed his enjoyment for the game with a combination of sure-handedness and speed. Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 3rd round of the 1957 NFL Draft, he totaled 152 career regular season games. McDonald experienced a world championship when the Eagles captured the NFL Title in 1960. He scored a crucial touchdown during that game against the Green Bay Packers at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. During the course of his career, he earned Pro-Bowl honors six-times and at the time of his retirement, he was second on the all-time touchdown catches list with 84. After retiring from football, he became an accomplished painter. He was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and was named to the Philadelphia Eagles Roll of Honor in 1988. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. McDonald was the subject of a play "Tommy and Me" penned by Hall of Fame sports journalist Ray Didinger which recounted their close friendship. McDonald died of complications from dementia.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Advertisement
