Tim McDonald

Last updated

Tim McDonald
No. 46
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1965-01-06) January 6, 1965 (age 59)
Fresno, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:219 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school: Edison
(Fresno, California)
College: USC
NFL draft: 1987  / round: 2 / pick: 34
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:1,139
Interceptions:40
Interception yards:640
Forced fumbles:10
Fumble recoveries:16
Sacks:9.5
Defensive touchdowns:5
Player stats at PFR

Timothy McDonald (born January 6, 1965) is an American former football safety who played for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). McDonald played college football for the USC Trojans, and was honored as a two-time All-American and two-time team most valuable player (MVP). A second-round pick in the 1987 NFL draft, he played for the St. Louis / Phoenix Cardinals (1987–1992) and the San Francisco 49ers (1993–1999). Upon the conclusion of his playing career, McDonald entered coaching, most recently serving as the defensive backs coach for the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills.

Contents

Early life

McDonald was born in Fresno, California. He played high school football at Edison High School in Fresno. [1]

At Edison, McDonald was named a prep All-American, All-California, All-Northern California, all-metro and league MVP at both safety and quarterback. He completed 56.9 percent of his passes for 2,739 yards and 30 touchdowns, and also rushed for 400 yards and six touchdowns. McDonald was also credited with five INTs and 123 tackles on defense.

College career

He attended the University of Southern California (USC), and majored in business administration at what is now the Marshall School of Business. As a three-year starter, he accumulated 325 tackles and 11 interceptions. He was an All-American as a junior in 1985 and a consensus All-American as a senior in 1986, and followed a prominent list of All-American safeties who attended USC, such as Dennis Thurman, Ronnie Lott, Dennis Smith, Joey Browner, Charles Phillips, Artimus Parker, Mike Battle, and Mark Carrier. McDonald is one of only six safeties named on the Walter Camp All-Century Team [2] selected in 1999, celebrating the greatest college football players of the twentieth century. He was also a finalist as a senior for the Jim Thorpe Award and the Defensive Player of the Game in the 1987 East–West Shrine Game.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+1⁄2 in
(1.89 m)		207 lb
(94 kg)		32 in
(0.81 m)		8+3⁄4 in
(0.22 m)		4.72 s1.64 s2.73 s4.27 s33.0 in
(0.84 m)		10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		6 reps
All values from NFL Combine [3]

He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round (34th pick overall) of the 1987 NFL draft. [4] In his six seasons with the Cardinals, Tim McDonald started 5 seasons. In those 5 seasons, he accounted for 605 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 20 int, 6 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown. His best statistical season, and perhaps his finest season ever as a pro was in 1989 when he recorded a team-leading 155 tackles, 7 interceptions for 170 interception return yards,1 fumble recovery and an interception returned for a touchdown. He was named to 3 Pro Bowls and named All-Pro twice while with the Cardinals. He signed as a free agent by the San Francisco 49ers on April 7, 1993.

In 1993, McDonald would again perform at a high level being named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad. During that season, he donated $2,000 for every 49ers victory to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Bay Area, netting $22,000 for those organizations. In 1994, McDonald helped the 49ers win Super Bowl XXIX. That season, McDonald recorded 76 tackles, 2 INTs, 7 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 defensive touchdowns while being part of a San Francisco secondary that sent 3 players to the Pro Bowl, SS Tim McDonald, FS Merton Hanks, and NFL Defensive Player of the Year CB Deion Sanders. That season while teaming with free safety Merton Hanks, they would arguably become one of the best safety tandems in NFL history as they combined for 7 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro selections from 1994 to 1998 in 5 seasons respectively. McDonald continued his stellar play throughout his entire 49ers career until he retired after the 1999 season Being named to 3 Pro Bowls and named to 2nd team All-Pro twice. McDonald's finest statistical season as a 49er was in 1998 as he tallied 133 total tackles, 4 sacks, 4 INTs, 15 passes defensed, and 2 fumble recoveries.

Tim McDonald was known for being a great all-around safety and one of the better tacklers and hitters at strong safety during his playing career. After 191 games, he had tallied 40 career interceptions, 9.5 sacks, 16 recovered fumbles, and 4 touchdowns. [5] McDonald retired as a Super Bowl Champion and played in 6 Pro Bowls, three times with each team.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCombSoloAstSckIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFRYdsTD
1987 STL 307——0.0000.0000000
1988 PHX 1615115——2.02115.51104190
1989 PHX 1616155——0.0717024.35310110
1990 PHX 1616114——0.046315.83801100
1991 PHX 131396——0.05367.21300100
1992 PHX 1616107——0.523517.52001320
1993 SF 161591——0.03237.721001150
1994 SF 1616726750.027939.573111491
1995 SF 16167561140.041355222000
1996 SF 16169881171.02147.01400100
1997 SF 15156251110.033411.31700300
1998 SF 16167868104.04225.51800200
1999 SF 16166952172.02189.01801100
Career1911871,139380749.54064016.07341016761

Coaching career

McDonald coached youth football leading the Malloch Elementary football team to two undefeated seasons from 2001 to 2003. McDonald coached for his alma mater Edison High School in Fresno, where he coached his sons, Timothy McDonald Jr. and Tevin McDonald. McDonald left Edison High in the 2010 football season, but came back for 2011 and putting Edison back at the top. [6] McDonald left Edison High in 2012 and was signed as a secondary coach for Fresno State. [7] After one season at Fresno State Mcdonald was signed as a DB coach for the New York Jets under Rex Ryan. [8] He followed Ryan to the Buffalo Bills in 2015, where he served as defensive backs coach for two years.

Personal life

McDonald and wife Alycia have two sons, Timothy Jr. (TJ) and Tevin, and one daughter Taryn. TJ played safety at his father's alma mater, USC, and was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft. He signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent in 2017. Tevin played 2 seasons with crosstown rival, UCLA. Tevin was dismissed from UCLA, Jim Mora citing his release as a violation of team rules and transferred to Eastern Washington University; he went undrafted in the 2015 draft and was signed by the Oakland Raiders as a free agent.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Woodson</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Roderick Kevin Woodson is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. Widely considered one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time, Woodson holds the NFL record for fumble recoveries (32) by a defensive player, and interceptions returned for touchdown (12). He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Lott</span> American football player (born 1959)

Ronald Mandel Lott is an American former professional football player. He was in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons from 1981 to 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeneas Williams</span> American football player (born 1968)

Aeneas Demetrius Williams is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the Southern Jaguars and was selected in the third round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Phoenix Cardinals, where he spent 10 seasons. During his final four seasons, he was a member of the St. Louis Rams. Williams received eight Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors, as well as being on the second NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Dawkins</span> American football player (born 1973)

Brian Patrick Dawkins Sr., nicknamed "Weapon X", is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 16 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. In his last three seasons, he played for the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Browner</span> American football player (born 1960)

Joey Matthew Browner is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings from 1983 to 1991 and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992. Browner played college football for the USC Trojans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Norton Jr.</span> American football player and coach (born 1966)

Kenneth Howard Norton Jr. is an American football coach and former player who is the linebackers coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft.

Michael Antonio Patterson is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football for the USC Trojans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Brown (safety)</span> American football player (born 1978)

Mike Brown is an American former professional football player who was a safety for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected with the eighth pick of the second round of the 2000 NFL draft out of the University of Nebraska by the Chicago Bears. Brown was ranked #49 in ESPN Chicago's "50 Greatest Bears" poll in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Parrish</span> American football player (born 1975)

Anthony W. Parrish is an American former professional football player who was a safety for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1998 NFL draft with the 35th overall pick. He was an Associated Press All-Pro in 2003, and is listed on the 49ers' All-2000s team. Parrish was also a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Las Vegas Locomotives.

Dennis Lee Thurman is an American football coach and former player. He is a former coach in the National Football League (NFL) for the Phoenix Cardinals, the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets, and in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) for the Memphis Express. He played as a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football for the USC Trojans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Horton</span> American football player and coach (born 1960)

Raymond Anthony Horton is an American football coach and former player. He played college football at Washington and was drafted in the second round of the 1983 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dashon Goldson</span> American football player (born 1984)

Dashon Hugh Goldson is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malcolm Smith (American football)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Malcolm Xavier Smith is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL draft. Smith was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLVIII after the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. McDonald</span> American football player (born 1991)

Timothy "T. J." McDonald, Jr. is a former American football safety. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football at USC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyrann Mathieu</span> American football player (born 1992)

Tyrann Devine Mathieu is an American professional football safety for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers. In college he developed a reputation for causing turnovers, setting a Southeastern Conference (SEC) record with 11 career forced fumbles and earning the nickname "the Honey Badger" after the mammal of the same name. In his sophomore season, he was recognized as a consensus All-American, won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in college football, and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Mathieu was dismissed from the LSU football program after that season due to a violation of team rules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legion of Boom (Seattle Seahawks)</span> Nickname for the early 2010s Seattle Seahawks defensive backfield

The Legion of Boom (LOB) was the Seattle Seahawks secondary in the 2010s. The original group that was nicknamed the Legion of Boom consisted of the starters in the Seahawks defensive backfield: Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner, Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Kendricks</span> American football player (born 1992)

Eric-Nathan Marvin Kendricks is an American professional football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. As a senior in 2014, he won the Butkus Award as the nation's top collegiate linebacker. Kendricks was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft and later played for the Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damontae Kazee</span> American football player (born 1993)

Damontae Tyron Kazee is an American professional football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at San Diego State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Warner (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Federico Anthony Warner is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talanoa Hufanga</span> American football player (born 2000)

Talanoa Hufanga is an American professional football safety for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC and was drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ Tim Mcdonald, database Football. Accessed November 15, 2007.
  2. ↑ All-Century Team | Walter Camp Football Foundation Archived 2012-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "Tim McDonald, Combine Results, SS - Southern California". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  4. ↑ "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  5. ↑ "NFL.com | Official Site of the National Football League". NFL.com. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ↑ "NFL's Jets add Fresno State assistant Tim McDonald to staff - Fresno State Bulldogs - fresnobee.com". Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.