Ron McDole

Ron McDole

McDole in 1961
No. 66, 84, 72, 79
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1939-09-09)September 9, 1939 Chester, Ohio,U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school:	DeVilbiss(Toledo, Ohio)
College:	Nebraska
NFL draft:	1961/ Round: 4 / Pick: 50
AFL draft:	1961/ Round: 4 / Pick: 27
Career history
St. Louis Cardinals(1961) Houston Oilers(1962) Buffalo Bills(1963–1970) Washington Redskins(1971–1978)
Career highlights and awards
2×AFL champion(1964, 1965) 5× First-teamAll-AFL(1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969) All-Time All-AFL Second Team 70 Greatest Redskins Second-team All-Big Eight(1960) NFL record Most safeties in a season (2, tied)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 240 Interceptions: 12 Touchdowns: 2
Player stats atPFR

Roland Owen McDole(born September 9, 1939) is an American former professionalfootballplayer who was adefensive endin theAmerican Football League(AFL) andNational Football League(NFL). He playedcollege footballfor theNebraska Cornhuskers.

Early life

McDole graduated fromDeVilbiss High SchoolinToledo, Ohioin 1957.

Buffalo Bills

McDole played at left defensive end for theBuffalo Billsof theAmerican Football Leaguefrom 1963 to 1970 after spending the 1962 season with the AFL'sHouston Oilers,anchoring the left side of the Bills' great defensive line.

The Bills finished tied with theBoston Patriotsfor the AFL's Eastern Division title in 1963, losing the playoff game to the Pats. They would win the division for the next three years, together with twoAmerican Football Leaguechampionships, in 1964 and in 1965. McDole and his defensive linemates (left tackleJim Dunaway,right tackleTom Sestak,and right endTom Day) held the opposition without a rushingtouchdownin 17 straight games over the 1964–1965 seasons. McDole was the defensive team captain during those years, anAFL All-Starin 1965 and 1967. He was selected to theAll-Time All-AFLsecond team.

Washington Redskins

From 1971 through 1978, McDole was a key defensive player at left defensive end for the NFLWashington Redskins,under head coachGeorge Allenfrom 1971 to 1977, and, in his final year, under head coachJack Pardee.By that time, he was quite slow, not a big threat as a pass-rusher, but very stout against the run, rarely out of position, and quick to seize opportunities for turnovers. In 1972, the Redskins won the NFC championship game of the1972–73 NFL playoffsagainst theDallas Cowboys,when they limited the Cowboys to 3 points, 96 rushing yards on 21 carries, and, despiteRoger Staubachas their quarterback, to 73 net passing yards, as McDole held his own against the opposing right offensive tackle,Rayfield Wright,a member of thePro Football Hall of Fame.However, the team lostSuper Bowl VIIto theMiami Dolphins,though the defense gave up just 253 total net yards and allowed only 14 points.

Career

McDole has the most interceptions ever by a lineman, with 12.He is also ranked #44 on the all-time list of games played in the NFL.

Personal

TeammateSonny Jurgensengave him the nickname "The Dancing Bear" after showing off his moves at a Georgetown nightspot.

See also

• List of American Football League players