He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft.
Malone grew up in Eloy, Arizona and attended Santa Cruz Valley Union High School.
He played college football at Arizona State and was selected in the second round (47th overall) of the 1974 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins.
In his Miami career, Malone carried the ball 503 times totaling 2,129 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.
Playing for the injured Mercury Morris, Malone ran for 83 yards on 14 carries, including a 23-yard touchdown run with 2:08 remaining that appeared to give Miami the win.