McDonough wore number 11 for all 10 years of the AFL's existence, through the NFL merger, retiring after the 1973 season.

Cal Lepore, the head linesman on Bob Frederic's crew, was named McDonough's successor as referee.

[4] McDonough was the first referee to call a roughing the passer penalty in a Super Bowl, flagging Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall on a third quarter hit against the Chiefs' Len Dawson.

On the next play, Otis Taylor took a short pass from Dawson down the right sideline to a 46-yard touchdown which cemented Kansas City's 23-7 victory.

[6] After retiring from the field, McDonough served as the head of officials for both years of the World Football League.