McDonald was a halfback and quarterback for the Ohio State University football team from 1935 to 1937.

The holder, Mike Kabealo, grabbed the ball, pitched it back to McDonald.

McDonald was also a three-year starter as a guard on the Ohio State basketball team from 1936 to 1938.

McDonald was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the second pick in the 1938 NFL draft, but never played for that team.

[1][2] He played two seasons with the Detroit Lions, picking up a career total of 80 yards.