Remembering the Great Tommy McDonald

NORMAN ? Tommy McDonald, one of the greats of Oklahoma's incredible football run through the mid-1950's has passed away at the age of 84.

McDonald was a mainstay halfback for Bud Wilkinson's teams that reeled off an NCAA record 47 consecutive victories and won national titles in 1955 and 1956.? He was an All-American in both of those championship campaigns.

During the 1955 season, the two time all-conference selection became the first OU player to score a touchdown in every game of a season.

The Albuquerque, N.M., native received a number of awards during his career, including the 1956 Maxwell Memorial Award and The Sporting News Award. Both are given to the player of the year. ?

McDonald was third in the 1956 Heisman voting, a year in which two Sooners may have taken votes from each other.? Offensive lineman Jerry Tubbs finished fourth in the balloting that year.? Notre Dame's Paul Hornung won the honor despite the Irish's 40-0 loss to OU in South Bend.

At 5-9, 178 pounds, McDonald was still known for his toughness.? He finished his OU career with 233 rushes for 1,568 yards, an average of 6.7 yards per carry, and 27 touchdowns.? He also completed 28 of 44 passes for 284 yards.

McDonald was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1985.

He was drafted by Philadelphia during the third round in 1957 and played receiver for the Eagles. He was inducted into the National Football League Hall of Fame in 1998.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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