Tommy McDonald played collegially at Oklahoma from 1954 to ’56 as a halfback.
Over his time there he ran for 1683 yards on 249 carries scoring 27 times, as well as catching 20 passes for 414 yards and 6 TDs.
3rd round pick of the 1957 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Played 7 seasons for the Eagles, leading the NFL in TDs in both ’58 (9) and ’61 (13).
In 1958 he caught 29 passes for 603 yards and a 91 yard long.
From 1958-1962 caught double digit TDs in every season, with 13 in both 1960 and ’61.
Broke the 1,000 yard barrier 3 times in his career: 1961 (1144), 1962 (1146) and later after he joined the Rams in 1965 (1036).
After being traded for three players, played the ’64 season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Traded to the Rams in exchange for a kicker in 1965, playing there through ’66.
Then in ’67 was traded to the Falcons and then signed with the Browns in ’68 before closing out his career.
Played WR, FL, and RHB over 12 seasons.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1958-’62, ’65
Pro Football Hall of Fame 1998
National High School Hall of Fame
Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
Philadelphia Hall of Fame
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame
New Mexico Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
1956 Maxwell Award
Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team
NOTES:
At the time of his retirement in ’69 McDonald was the last player to play without a facemask. He became an ambassador to the sport and of the Philadelphia Eagles- which makes this card seem all the more odd since he only played two seasons with the Rams. After his passing he was diagnosed with CTE.
EPITAPH:
9/24/2018- Tommy McDonald passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 84.
Matt Coburn initially signed with Louisville in 2015, but close to signing day, was told the school ‘had no room for him’,
Signed with Wake Forest the following year ran for 2,528 yards, finishing 6th in school history.
Undrafted in 2019, signed with the Los Angeles Rams but didn’t make the squad.
Joined the XFL in 2020 seeing little action with the New York Guardians in two contests before the league folded due to COVID.
Played in The Spring League that year for the TSL Blues.
Signed with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021 but didn’t make the squad.
Played for the USFL Philadelphia Stars in 2022.
Ran 102 times for 457 yards and 8 TDs, and caught 18 passes for 150 yards and a TD for the Stars in 4 starts (10 games).
After short stints with the Jaguars and again with the Stars in ’23, was selected by the Michigan Panthers during the UFL dispersal draft.
Led the Panthers with 90 carries for 401 yards and 4 TDs in 8 games.
Injuries derailed most of his 2025 campaign, as he saw action in only 3 games, rushing 22 times for 101 yards and a 23 yard TD.
ACCOLADES:
USFL Sportsman of the Year 2022
NOTES:
The photo on this UFL 2025 card is fantastic. I really like the clear expression on his face along with the juxtaposition of his figure against the yellow background.
TRADE DETAILS:
I traded away a triple signature UFL card for EJ PERRY, HAKEEM BUTLER, CODY LATTIMER, DONALD PAYNE, and MATT COBURN II. (Later in the month I’d pull that same triple signature card again anyway.)
Stepped into the starting lineup in ’73, and led the conference in completion percentage (55.8), yards per attempt (7.7) and rating (130.6), completing 116 of 208 passes for 1603 yards and 13 TDs.
Signed with the Southern California Sun of the WFL in 1975.
Completed 98 of 163 passes for 1404 yards and 11 TDs.
Was the league’s leading passer before heading off to Oxford.
After WFL folded he joined the Rams- who drafted Haden in the 7th round of the 1975 NFL Draft.
Completed 60 of 105 passes for 896 yards and 8 TDs after being pressed into action as the 3rd string QB during the second week of the season.
In ’77 completed 122 of 216 passes for 1551 yards and 11 TDs to 6 picks while guiding the team to 8 wins and 2 losses.
1978 would be Pat’s best overall season of his career, with him setting personal marks for attempts (444), completions (229), yards (2,995), TDs (13), and rushing with 33 carries for 206 yards.
He’d be supplanted in the lineup due to injury in 1979 as Vince Ferragamo led the Rams to the Super Bowl.
Injuries again derailed Haden’s 1980 and ’81 campaigns.
Went immediately into broadcasting providing color for CBS, NBC, Arena Football, Westwood One, and Notre Dame.
Athletic Director at USC from 2010-’16.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 1977
NOTES:
Pat has been involved at numerous levels in charitable giving and organizations.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
