The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Thomas Franklin McDonald was born on Thursday, July 26, 1934. Tommy was a former wide receiver in the NFL and on the 1960 Eagles team. McDonald grew up in New Mexico like his former Eagles team mate, Broadcast Pioneers member Tom Brookshier. However, they lived 275 apart, McDonald in the north and Brookie in the southern part of the state.

McDonald attended Roy High School and then moved to Albuquerque where he graduated from Highland High. He was a running back at the University of Oklahoma. He won the Maxwell Award in 1956 and was an All-American in both 1955 and 1956.

Tommy was a third round draft pick in 1957 and selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. He had a twelve year career in pro ball and helped led the Eagles to its 1960 championship. He was selected for six Pro Bowls and led the league in touchdown receptions twice, 1958 and again in 1960. He also played with the Los Angeles Rams, the Cleveland Browns, the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons.

McDonald retired in 1968 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. McDonald also had a broadcasting career where he shared a talk show with Broadcast Pioneers member Tom Lamaine.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com