View source for Ron McDole

{{Short description|American football player (born 1939)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox gridiron football biography
| name          = Ron McDole
| image         = Roland McDole 1961.jpg
| caption       = McDole in 1961
| number        = 66, 84, 72, 79
| position      = {{hlist|[[Defensive end]]|[[Defensive tackle]]|}}
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1939|9|9|mf=y}}
| birth_place   = [[Chester, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date    =
| death_place   =
| height_ft     = 6
| height_in     = 4
| weight_lb     = 265
| high_school   = [[DeVilbiss High School (Toledo, Ohio)|DeVilbiss]] {{nowrap|([[Toledo, Ohio]])}}
| college       = [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]]
| draftyear     = 1961
| draftround    = 4
| draftpick     = 50
| afldraftyear  = 1961
| afldraftround = 4
| afldraftpick  = 27
| pastteams     =
* [[St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)|St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|1961}})
* [[Houston Oilers]] ([[1962 American Football League season|1962]])
* [[Minnesota Vikings]] (1963)*
* [[Buffalo Bills]] ([[1963 American Football League season|1963]]–{{NFL Year|1970}})
* [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1971|1978}})
| highlights    =
* 2× [[American Football League|AFL]] champion ([[1964 American Football League Championship Game|1964]], [[1965 American Football League Championship Game|1965]])
* 5× First-team [[All-AFL]] (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969)
* [[American Football League All-Time Team|All-Time All-AFL Second Team]]
* [[Washington Commanders#90 Greatest|90 Greatest Commanders]]
* Second-team All-[[Big Eight Conference|Big Eight]] ([[1960 All-Big Eight Conference football team|1960]])
'''NFL record'''
* Most safeties in a season (2, tied)
| statleague    = NFL/AFL
| statlabel1    = [[Fumble]] recoveries
| statvalue1    = 14
| statlabel2    = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue2    = 12
| statlabel3    = [[Touchdown]]s
| statvalue3    = 2
| statlabel4    = [[Quarterback sack|Sack]]s
| statvalue4    = 77.5
| pfr           = McDoRo00
}}

'''Roland Owen (Ron) McDole''' (born September 9, 1939) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[defensive end]] in the [[American Football League]] (AFL) and [[National Football League]] (NFL).  He played [[college football]] for the [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska Cornhuskers]].

==Early life==
McDole was born in [[Chester, Ohio]] on September 9, 1939, to Burt and Ruth McDole. He played [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]], [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|tackle]] and defensive end at [[DeVilbiss High School (Toledo, Ohio)|DeVilbiss High School]] in [[Toledo, Ohio]]. He was also [[first baseman]] on the baseball team.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Rosa |first=Poch de la |date=2022-03-27 |title=The Life And Career Of Ron McDole (Complete Story) |url=https://www.profootballhistory.com/ron-mcdole/ |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro Football History |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Provost |first=Wally |date=September 4, 1960 |title=Iowa State Draws 'Most Wanted' Rating From Cornhusker Leader |work=Omaha World-Herald |pages=17}}</ref> 

McDole had an opportunity to play baseball in the [[Detroit Tigers]] system, but chose instead to accept a scholarship to attend the [[Nebraska Cornhuskers|University of Nebraska]], where he would play football from 1957 to 1960. He played offensive end, right tackle, and defensive tackle on the football team. He was 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), and started out at 192 pounds (87.1 kg), but eventually weighed 232 pounds (105.2 kg) at Nebraska.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" />  

As a sophomore he caught a game-winning touchdown pass, but was switched to offensive right tackle as a junior after gaining weight. He started every game as a junior, and became a co-captain as a senior with future NFL [[defensive back]] [[Pat Fischer]] (who would become his teammate in St. Louis and Washington). Future [[Minnesota Vikings|Minnesota Viking]] [[Center (gridiron football)|center]] [[Mick Tingelhoff]] was another teammate at Nebraska. During his junior and senior years, McDole played 1,074 out of a possible 1,200 minutes of game time.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" /> 

McDole played in the [[Senior Bowl]], the [[Blue–Gray Football Classic|Blue-Gray game]], and the [[Coaches All-America Game]].<ref name=":1" />

In 2022, he was inducted into Nebraska's Football Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nebraska Football Hall of Fame |url=https://huskers.com/nebraska-football-hall-of-fame |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=University of Nebraska - Official Athletics Website |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Professional football career ==
In 1961, McDole was drafted in the fourth round by the St. Louis Cardinals in the [[1961 NFL draft|NFL draft]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=1961 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1961/draft.htm |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> and also in the fourth round of the [[1961 American Football League draft|AFL draft]] by the Denver Broncos of the new American Football League.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1961 AFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1961_AFL/draft.htm |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He was also drafted by the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] of the [[Canadian Football League]].<ref name=":5" /> McDole chose the Cardinals and played one year on both the offensive and defensive lines, but was released.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=O'Conner |first=Adrian J. |date=2018-09-18 |title=Football great McDole: 'You just had to hustle' |url=https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/football-great-mcdole-you-just-had-to-hustle/article_d5b494d4-cf8c-5f2e-8c78-4dd0b3db2f98.html |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=The Winchester Star |language=en}}</ref>

Cardinals head coach [[Pop Ivy|Frank "Pop" Ivy]] left the Cardinals to coach the AFL [[Houston Oilers]] in 1962, and traded for the rights to McDole with Denver. <ref name=":0" />  He played defensive end and offensive tackle for the Oilers.<ref name=":5" /> McDole, however, only played four games as the result of either a head injury or migraine seizures. He did not play for Houston again. The Minnesota Vikings brought him in, but were concerned about his medical condition and he did not play there either, having received a letter (like every other team) from the Oilers about McDole's medical condition.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> During the time period he was not playing, he obtained his [[Bachelor's degree]] in [[industrial arts]] from Nebraska.<ref name=":5" />

=== Buffalo Bills ===
[[Lou Saban]] coach of the AFL's [[Buffalo Bills]] wanted McDole to play for the Bills, and after McDole passed medical tests, owner [[Ralph Wilson]] agreed to sign him for the Bills. McDole never missed another game in his career.<ref name=":0" /> McDole has said his greatest inspiration came from Saban and Wilson "who 'gave me a chance after other teams counted me out'…"<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=80 Greatest Redskins, Washington Commanders |url=https://www.commanders.com/team/history/80-greatest-redskins-old |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=www.commanders.com |language=en-US}}</ref> 

McDole played in 12 games for the Bills in 1963, but did not start any. In 1964 he became the Bills starting left defensive end and held that position for the Bills from 1964 to 1970.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Ron McDole Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McDoRo00.htm |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Bills finished tied with the [[History of the New England Patriots|Boston Patriots]] for the AFL's Eastern Division title in 1963, losing the playoff game to the Patriots 26 to 8.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1963 AFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1963_AFL/index.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>  They would win the division for the next three years,<ref name=":1" /> together with two [[American Football League]] championships, in 1964 and in 1965.<ref name=":1" />  McDole and his defensive linemates (left tackle [[Jim Dunaway]], right tackle [[Tom Sestak]], and right end [[Tom Day (American football)|Tom Day]]) held the opposition without a rushing [[touchdown]] in 17 straight games over the 1964–1965 seasons.<ref name=":1" />  The Bills lost the [[1966 American Football League Championship Game|1966 AFL championship game]] to the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], who went on to play in the first [[Super Bowl I|Super Bowl]].<ref name=":0" /> McDole was the defensive team captain during those years, and an [[American Football League All-Star game|AFL All-Star]] in 1965 and 1967.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Ron McDole - Football 1960 |url=https://huskers.com/sports/football/roster/player/ron-mcdole |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=University of Nebraska - Official Athletics Website |language=en-US}}</ref> 

The [[Associated Press]] (AP) named McDole first-team [[American Football League All-League Team|All-AFL]] in 1966 and second-team in 1967 and 1968;<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=1966 AFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1966_AFL/allpro.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=1967 AFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1967_AFL/allpro.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=1968 AFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1968_AFL/allpro.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> [[United Press International]] (UPI) named McDole first-team All-AFL in 1965 and second-team in 1966 and 1967;<ref>{{Cite web |title=1965 AFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1965_AFL/allpro.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /> the [[Newspaper Enterprise Association]] (NEA) named him first-team AFL All-Pro in 1967, 1968, and 1969 and second-team in 1966;<ref>{{Cite web |title=1969 AFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1969_AFL/allpro.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":11" /> and he was selected to the [[American Football League All-Time Team|All-Time All-AFL]] 1960s second team.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFL Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams - 1960s |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/afl_hof_all_decade_1960.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> 

He was a roommate of quarterback and future U.S. Congressman and presidential candidate [[Jack Kemp]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Redskins Legacy: Ron McDole On The Bills |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/redskins-legacy-ron-mcdole-on-the-bills-7845844 |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=www.commanders.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1985, McDole was named to the Bills Silver Anniversary Team.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=April 27, 1984: Bills announce Silver Anniversary team |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/april-27-1984-bills-announce-silver-anniversary-team-12920132#:~:text=The%20players%20selected%20were:%20QB%20Jack%20Kemp%20(pictured),,Ron%20McDole,%20LB%20John%20Tracey,%20LB%20Jim%20Haslet |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=www.buffalobills.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Washington Redskins ===
He was traded to Washington on May 11, 1971, becoming part of group of older players who came to be known as the Over-the-Hill Gang, including his old Nebraska teammate Pat Fischer.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> From 1971 through 1978, McDole was a key defensive player at left defensive end for Washington, under head coach [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]] from 1971 to 1977,<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Allen Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/AlleGe0.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> and, in his final year, under head coach [[Jack Pardee]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jack Pardee Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/PardJa0.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He had 9.5 sacks in 1976, a career high, and six in 1977, but would have none in 1978.<ref name=":2" /> 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. 

The Redskins won the NFC championship game in the [[1972–73 NFL playoffs]] against the [[Dallas Cowboys]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=January 1, 1973 |title=Fans Are Emotional |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/01/archives/cowboys-lose-263-as-kilmer-taylor-click-fans-are-emotional-51yard.html |work=New York Times}}</ref> They limited the Cowboys to 3 points, 96 rushing yards on 21 carries, and, despite Hall of Fame player [[Roger Staubach]] as their quarterback, to 73 net passing yards. Staubach was under a heavy pass rush all game, and was sacked three times.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - December 31st, 1972 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212310was.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> McDole held his own against the opposing right offensive tackle, [[Rayfield Wright]], a member of the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]];{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} and he recovered a fumble.<ref name=":8" /> However, the team lost [[Super Bowl VII]] to the [[Miami Dolphins]], though the defense gave up just 253 total net yards and allowed only 14 points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl VII - Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins - January 14th, 1973 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197301140mia.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

On Washington's 70th anniversary in the NFL, McDole was named among the team's 80 greatest players.<ref name=":6" /> 

=== Career ===
McDole has the most interceptions ever by a lineman, with 12, including one for a touchdown. He also had 14 fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown) and three safeties.<ref name=":1" />  He had 77.5 sacks, including 9.5 when he was 37 years old in his sixteenth season.<ref name=":4" /> As of 2024, he is also ranked tied for 84th on the all-time list of games played in the NFL (when including kickers).<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Games Career Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/g_career.htm |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He played in 240 games, with 208 starts. As of 2022, only three defensive ends had more games and only six more starts.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Gosselin |first=Rick |date=2022-12-19 |title=State Your Case: Ron McDole |url=https://rickgosselin.com/state-your-case-ron-mcdole/ |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Rick Gosselin |language=en-US}}</ref> He identified Hall of Fame tackles [[Ron Mix]] and Rayfield Wright as the top offensive tackles he faced during his long career.<ref name=":5" />

==Personal==
Teammate [[Sonny Jurgensen]] gave him the nickname "The Dancing Bear" after showing off his moves at a Georgetown nightspot.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Leonard |date=February 2, 2018 |title=They were the first Redskins to play in the Super Bowl. Decades later, they're paying the price. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/they-were-the-first-redskins-to-play-in-the-super-bowl-decades-later-theyre-paying-the-price/2018/02/02/05d967c0-ff88-11e7-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html |quote=That 'Dancing Bear' moniker was given to him one night by Sonny Jurgensen when the Hall of Fame quarterback saw McDole high-stepping on the dance floor of a Georgetown bar.}}</ref> In 2018, McDole authored a book, ''The Dancing Bear: My Eighteen Years in the Trenches of the AFL and NFL''.<ref name=":0" />

== Post football career ==
After retiring, McDole started a furniture company and later entered the [[millwork]] business. He also did remodeling work for real estate clients of Pat Fischer.<ref name=":5" /> His two furniture companies were Tammany Construction and Ron McDole Library Furniture, and built furniture for [[James Madison University]] and the [[Library of Congress]]. He had originally learned carpentry while a [[Flipping|house flipping]] intern in college, which was another business he was involved in after his football career ended.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whatever Happened To: Ron McDole |url=https://www.huskeralum.org/s/1620/magazine/interior.aspx?sid=1620&gid=1&pgid=1916 |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=www.huskeralum.org |language=en}}</ref> 

==See also==
* [[List of American Football League players]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{St. Louis Cardinals 1961 draft navbox}}
{{Broncos1961DraftPicks}}
{{1964 Buffalo Bills}}
{{1965 Buffalo Bills}}
{{AFL1960s}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McDole, Ron}}
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football defensive ends]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bills players]]
[[Category:Houston Oilers players]]
[[Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football players]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals (football) players]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]
[[Category:American Football League All-Star players]]
[[Category:American Football League All-Time Team]]
[[Category:People from Meigs County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Toledo, Ohio]]
[[Category:American Football League players]]