Harold McLinton explained

Position:Linebacker
Number:53
Birth Date:July 1, 1947
Birth Place:Fort Valley, Georgia, U.S.
Death Place:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lbs:235
Draftyear:1969
Draftround:6
Draftpick:139
College:Southern
Teams:
Highlights:
  • 70 Greatest Redskins
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:127
Statlabel2:Interceptions
Statvalue2:4
Statlabel3:Touchdowns
Statvalue3:1
Pfr:McLiHa20

Harold Lucious McLinton (July 1, 1947 – October 31, 1980) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) from 1969 to 1978. He played college football for the Southern Jaguars.

McLinton was selected by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. He spent his entire 10-year career with the Redskins, playing in 127 games. He was a key contributor on the 1972 NFC championship team. He finished his career with four interceptions and one touchdown.

McLinton died on October 31, 1980, at the age of 33 from complications resulting from massive injuries sustained after being struck by a passing vehicle on Interstate 295 in southeast Washington after stopping to help a stranger change a flat tire.[1] He was a 1966 graduate of Harper High School in Atlanta, GA and went on to attend Southern on a football scholarship. He graduated May 1969 with a bachelor's degree in Marketing & Management.

Notes and References

  1. News: Inner drive to excel puts Terps' McLinton on road to frustration . Baltimore Sun . December 10, 1992 .