[1][2] 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).

[1] McDole and his defensive linemates (left tackle Jim Dunaway, right tackle Tom Sestak, and right end Tom Day) held the opposition without a rushing touchdown in 17 straight games over the 1964–1965 seasons.

[1] The Bills lost the 1966 AFL championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs, who went on to play in the first Super Bowl.

[1][17] 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.

[8] 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.

[21][20] McDole held his own against the opposing right offensive tackle, Rayfield Wright, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame;[citation needed] and he recovered a fumble.

[21] 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.

[2] Teammate Sonny Jurgensen gave him the nickname "The Dancing Bear" after showing off his moves at a Georgetown nightspot.

[25] In 2018, McDole authored a book, The Dancing Bear: My Eighteen Years in the Trenches of the AFL and NFL.

He had originally learned carpentry while a house flipping intern in college, which was another business he was involved in after his football career ended.