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October 25, 2018Many Oklahoma football fans are too young to remember Tommy McDonald, but his exploits on and off the field are truly remarkable. He was only 5’8” and about 175 pounds and, even by NFL standards of the 50s and 60s, was considered way too small. However, he said “No one could measure my heart and God gave me a large one.”
He was part of the longest winning streak in college football history with 47 straight victories and he is one of the few college football players to never lose a game. He is member of many halls of fame and went on to play in the NFL.
When McDonald married Patricia, his wife of 55 years, he became a member of Mother Divine Providence Church in King of Prussia, Penn. (near Philadelphia). His life came together in the form of family, community, Church and parish activities. Patricia and Tommy McDonald raised their two daughters and two sons in this same parish for 55 years. Just as he never liked to miss a football game due to injury, his family never missed Sunday Mass.
According to their son, Chris McDonald, “What made Dad unique is he published his name and address in the local phone book and people were always coming to the door and calling. Dad never forgot his fans. He would go to the hospital to visit people he didn’t know. The Mother Divine Providence Parish School would call him for ‘show and tell’ days and he would end up spending the whole day there with the kids.”
He added, “He always had two messages when speaking to groups, no matter the denomination. 1. Keep God in your life. 2. Be strong with the big guy upstairs and Dad would point upward.”
McDonald’s wife Patricia passed away earlier this year and he passed away on Sept. 24 from complications due to dementia.
Pro Football Hall of Fame president and chief executive C. David Baker said in a statement. "He was charismatic, passionate and had fun. He was such a character. Heaven is a happier place today.”
Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.