Don McNeal facts for kids

Donald "Don" McNeal (born May 6, 1958) is a former American football player. He was a talented cornerback for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1980s. McNeal was known for his speed and tough play on the field.

Early Life and College Football

Don McNeal grew up in Atmore, Alabama. He was a star football player at Escambia County High School, graduating in 1976. After high school, he played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He played under the famous coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.

McNeal was part of two national championship teams at Alabama. These teams won in 1978 and 1979. He was even named "Captain of the Team" in 1979. Later, in 1992, he was chosen for the University of Alabama's "All-Centennial Team." This shows how important he was to the team's history.

The Famous Sugar Bowl Play

One of McNeal's most memorable plays happened in the 1979 Sugar Bowl. Alabama was playing against Penn State. In the final part of the game, Alabama was ahead 14–7. Penn State had the ball very close to Alabama's goal line.

On one play, Penn State's quarterback threw the ball to a receiver. It looked like the receiver would score a touchdown. But McNeal ran incredibly fast to catch up. He pushed the receiver out of bounds just one yard from the goal line! McNeal was even knocked out for a moment during this amazing effort. Because of his play, Alabama stopped Penn State and won the game.

Professional Football Career

The Miami Dolphins picked Don McNeal in the 1980 NFL draft. He played his entire professional career with the Dolphins. He was a key part of their defense for ten seasons.

McNeal played in two major championship games with the Dolphins. These were Super Bowl XVII in 1983 and Super Bowl XIX in 1985. He retired from football after the 1989 season.

Super Bowl XVII Moment

Don McNeal was also involved in a very famous play during Super Bowl XVII. This happened late in the game. The Washington Redskins were playing against the Dolphins.

On a crucial play, Redskins running back John Riggins ran for a 43-yard touchdown. This play helped the Redskins win the game. McNeal was trying to tackle Riggins, but Riggins was very strong. He broke free from McNeal's grasp and scored. This run became one of the most famous plays in NFL history. It is even called the Redskins' "Greatest Moment of all time" by their fans.

Life After Football

After retiring from professional football, Don McNeal became very active in his community. He works with groups that help young people and adults. He uses his experiences to guide others.

McNeal serves in many roles. He is a counselor, teacher, and coach. He also works as a lay pastor and is a frequent public speaker. He is a pastor at New Testament Baptist Church in South Florida. He also speaks for an organization called Power Talent. His life story is shared in his book, Home Team Advantage.

In 2008, Don McNeal was honored for his achievements. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. This is a special award for athletes from Alabama.

See also

• 1980 NFL draft
• Dade Christian School