Keith McDonald (American football) explained

Keith McDonald
Number:81, 89
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:November 7, 1963
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:9
Weight Lb:170
High School:Phineas Banning
College:San Jose State
Undraftedyear:1985
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Receptions
Statvalue1:16
Statlabel2:Receiving yards
Statvalue2:194
Statlabel3:Touchdowns
Statvalue3:1
Pfr:McDoKe00

Rodney Keith McDonald (born November 7, 1963) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Houston Oilers and the Detroit Lions.[1] He played college football for San Jose State. McDonald made his NFL debut in 1987 when the NFPLA went on strike.[2]

Early life and education

McDonald was born on November 7, 1963. He played high school football at Phineas Banning High School in Los Angeles, California. In high school, McDonald's play was described as "explosive",[3] making the Second-Team All-Harbor in his senior year.[4]

McDonald attended Santa Monica College where he stayed for two years before transferring to San Jose State.[5] [6] In his two seasons with the Spartans, McDonald put up 898 yards on 80 receptions and four touchdowns.[7]

College statistics

SeasonTeamGPReceiving
Rec Yds Avg TD
1983San Jose State1150 536 10.7 2
1984San Jose State1130 362 12.1 2
Total 2280 898 11.2 4

Professional career

After his 1984 season, McDonald signed with the USFL's Denver Gold but ultimately did not make the final roster.[8] Before the 1985 NFL season, McDonald was signed to the Dallas Cowboys and reported to training camp, but was waived shortly after.[9] McDonald would sign to the Los Angeles Rams a year later, but was also waived in training camp.[10]

In 1987, due to the NFPLA strike, McDonald signed to the Houston Oilers as a replacement player. McDonald played his first NFL game against the Denver Broncos where he caught two passes for 31 yards. His first receiving touchdown came in his second game against the Cleveland Browns, where he took his only reception of the game 15 yards for the score. After the strike concluded, McDonald was waived from the team.[11] Before the 1988 season, the Oilers re-signed McDonald but released him two months later.[12] [13] He would also briefly sign with the BC Lions.[14] [15]

McDonald signed to the Lions and played in their preseason games during the 1989 season, but was waived shortly before the beginning of the regular season.[16] [17] He was signed back to the active roster on October 11, 1989.[18] He would play six regular season games for the Lions, catching for 194 yards on 16 receptions. He would be placed on injured reserve following a Week 12 game, ending his season.[19]

McDonald would sign to the Los Angeles Raiders, but was waived.[20] He would also sign with the San Diego Chargers but he would be injured in training camp.[21]

Career statistics

SeasonTeamGPGSReceiving
Rec Yds Avg TD
1987Houston Oilers304 56 14.0 1
1989Detroit Lions6312 138 11.5 0
Total 9316 194 12.1 1

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Keith McDonald Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College. . September 7, 2023.
  2. News: STRIKE. September 26, 1987. Times Tribune. September 7, 2023.
  3. News: Banning faces challenge. December 12, 1980. News Pilot.
  4. News: All-Harbor League.
  5. News: CORSAIRS: Ranks Thinned by Graduation. September 6, 1981. The Los Angeles Times.
  6. News: Spartans, grid excellence go hand in hand. August 27, 1983. The Fresno Bee.
  7. Web site: Keith McDonald College Stats. sports-reference.com. September 13, 2023.
  8. News: Transactions. Chicago Tribune. January 9, 1985.
  9. News: Deadline nearing for Dorsett. Fort Worth Star Telegram. July 27, 1985.
  10. News: Rams notes. The San Bernardino County Sun. July 26, 1986.
  11. News: Transactions. October 29, 1987. The Miami Herald.
  12. News: Oilers cut vet Cooks, TCU rookie Spradlin. August 24, 1988. The Galveston Daily News.
  13. News: Football. June 10, 1988. El Paso Times.
  14. News: Football Canadian League. November 26, 1988. Times Colonist.
  15. News: GRID BITS. September 21, 1988. The Vancouver Sun.
  16. News: Mandley: An unwanted Lion?. August 9, 1989. Lansing State Journal.
  17. News: Lions No. 1 closer. September 7, 1989. Petoskey News Review.
  18. News: Transactions. October 12, 1989. Detroit Free Press.
  19. News: NFL moves. November 21, 1989. The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  20. News: Lyle. August 29, 1990. Simi Valley Star.
  21. News: CHARGERS NOTES. July 21, 1991. North County Times.