Timothy "T. J." McDonald, Jr. (born January 26, 1991) is an American former professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
player who was a
safety
Safety is the state of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk.
Meanings
The word 'safety' entered the English language in the 1 ...
in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
(NFL). He was selected by the
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams were a professional American football team of the National Football League (NFL). They played in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1995 through the 2015 season, before moving back to Los Angeles, California, where the team had played ...
in the third round of the
2013 NFL draft
The 2013 NFL draft was the 78th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft, which is officially called the "NFL Player Selection Meeting", was held at Radio City Music Hall in ...
. He played
college football
College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...
for the
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans (also Southern California Trojans) are the College athletics in the United States, intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. While the men's teams are nicknamed the ...
.
Early life
McDonald was born in
Fresno, California
Fresno (; ) is a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County, California, Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley (California), Central Valley region. It covers a ...
. He attended
Edison High School in Fresno, where he played high school football for the Edison Tigers. He was considered the second-best safety recruit in the nation by
Rivals.com and
Scout.com.
College career

McDonald enrolled at the
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (USC, SC, or Southern Cal) is a Private university, private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in ...
, where he played for the
USC Trojans football
The USC Trojans football program represents the University of Southern California in the sport of American football. The Trojans compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate ...
team from 2009 to 2012. As a freshman in 2009, McDonald was a backup safety and
special teamer, recording seven tackles in 13 games. In 2010, he took over as a starter and had a team leading 89 tackles, three
interception
In Ball game, ball-playing Competitive sport, competitive team sports, an interception or pick is a move by a player involving a pass of the ball—whether by foot or hand, depending on the rules of the sport—in which the ball is intended for ...
s and a
quarterback sack
In gridiron football, a sack occurs when the quarterback (or another offensive player acting as a passer) is tackle (football move), tackled behind the line of scrimmage before throwing a forward pass, when the quarterback is tackled behind the l ...
. He was a second-team All-
Pacific-10 Conference
The Pac-12 Conference is a collegiate List of NCAA conferences, athletic conference in the Western United States. It participates at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) NCAA Division I, Division I level for all sports, and its Co ...
selection. After a successful junior season in 2011, McDonald was highly decorated with awards. He was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and received first-team
All-American
The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed on outstanding athletes in the United States who are considered to be among the best athletes in their respective sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an Al ...
honors from ''
Pro Football Weekly
''Pro Football Weekly'' (sometimes shortened to ''PFW'') is an American sports magazine, founded in 1967, and website that covers the National Football League (NFL). It was owned by Pro Football Weekly LLC and headquartered in Riverwoods, Illin ...
'' and ''
The Sporting News
''The Sporting News'' is a website and former magazine publication owned by Sporting News Holdings, which is a U.S.-based sports media company formed in December 2020 by a private investor consortium. It was originally established in 1886 as a ...
''.
As a senior, he enjoyed the best season of his career in 2012, leading the team with 112 tackles, including 7.0 for loss, a sack, and two interceptions, and was named second-team All-Pac-12.
Professional career
St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams
2013
The
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams were a professional American football team of the National Football League (NFL). They played in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1995 through the 2015 season, before moving back to Los Angeles, California, where the team had played ...
selected McDonald in the third round (71st overall) of the
2013 NFL draft
The 2013 NFL draft was the 78th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft, which is officially called the "NFL Player Selection Meeting", was held at Radio City Music Hall in ...
. He was the sixth safety selected in 2013.
On June 14, 2013, the Rams signed McDonald to a four-year,
$3.79 million contract that includes a
signing bonus
A signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee (including a professional sports person) by a company as an incentive to join that company. They are often given as a way of making a compensation package more attractive ...
of $679,740.
McDonald entered training camp slated as the starting free safety. Head coach
Jeff Fisher named him the starting free safety to start the regular season, alongside strong safety
Darian Stewart.
He made his professional regular season debut in the
St. Louis Rams' season-opener against the
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The ...
and recorded five combined tackles and a pass deflection in their 27–24 victory.
On September 26, 2013, McDonald recorded three combined tackles before exiting the Rams' 35–11 loss to the
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners and nicknamed the Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member ...
after slightly fracturing his right leg. On September 27, 2013, the St. Louis Rams placed McDonald on injured reserve with a designation to return list. The injury sidelined him for six games (Weeks 5–10) and he would return to practice on November 21, 2013. He returned in Week 12 and made six combined tackles during a 42–22 win against the
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They are one of two remaining ...
. In Week 14, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles in the Rams' 30–10 loss at the
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The ...
.
On December 15, 2013, McDonald recorded five combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception during a 27–16 victory at the
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...
in Week 15.
He made his first career interception off a pass by
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees (; born January 15, 1979) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. A member of the New Orleans Saints for most of his career, Brees is sec ...
that was originally intended for tight end
Jimmy Graham
Jimmy Graham (born November 24, 1986) is an American professional American football, football tight end. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. Graham has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, G ...
on the Saints' first offensive play of the game. The following week, McDonald recorded six solo tackles and made his first career sack on quarterback
Mike Glennon
Michael Joseph Glennon (born December 12, 1989) is an American former professional American football, football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack football, NC State Wolfpack ...
during a 23–13 win against the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC S ...
in Week 16. McDonald finished his rookie season in with 53 combined tackles (45 solo), four pass deflections, a sack, and an interception in ten games and ten starts.
2014
McDonald entered training camp slated as the starting strong safety after Darian Stewart departed during
free agency. Defensive coordinator
Gregg Williams opted to move him to strong safety as McDonald was better suited for the position over
Rodney McLeod. Head coach Jeff Fisher officially named McLeod and McDonald the starting safeties to begin the season.
In Week 5, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (ten solo) and broke up a pass during a 34–28 loss at the
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The team plays its ...
.
On December 7, 2014, McDonald made four tackles and intercepted a pass by
Robert Griffin III in the Rams' 24–0 victory at the
Washington Redskins
The Washington Commanders are a professional American football team based in the Washington metropolitan area. The Commanders compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East ...
in Week 14.
In Week 16, he tied his season-high of 11 combined tackles (nine solo) and sacked quarterback
Eli Manning
Elisha Nelson Manning (born January 3, 1981) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons with the New York Giants. A member of the Manning family, he is the youngest ...
during a 37–27 loss to the
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...
.
He finished his second season with a career-high 105 combined tackles (84 solo), six pass deflections, two sacks, and an interception in 16 games and 16 starts.
2015
McDonald and McLeod entered training camp slated as the starting safeties. Head coach Jeff Fisher officially named them the starting duo to begin the season.
On September 27, 2015, McDonald collected a season-high eight combined tackles in the Rams' 12–6 loss to the
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...
in Week 3. The following week, he recorded six combined tackles and a sack during a 24–22 win at the
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The ...
in Week 4. He was inactive during the Rams' Week 9 loss at the
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. The Vikings compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. Founded in 1960 as ...
after injuring his foot the previous week. On December 9, 2015, the St. Louis Rams placed McDonald on
injured reserve
The injured reserve list ( IR list) is a designation used in North American professional sports leagues for athletes who suffer injuries and become unable to play. The exact name of the list varies by league; it is known as "injured reserve" in ...
due to a shoulder injury that would require surgery. Head coach Jeff Fisher stated McDonald had been dealing with the injury throughout the entire season and was placed on injured reserve for his best interest of his sustained health for the future. He finished the season with 63 combined tackles (39 solo), a pass deflection, and a sack in 11 games and 11 starts.
2016
The Rams moved back to
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
in 2016 after 21 seasons in
St. Louis
St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...
. Head coach Jeff Fisher retained McDonald as the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, along with free safety
Maurice Alexander.
In Week 3, McDonald recorded three solo tackles and sacked quarterback
Jameis Winston during a 37–32 victory at the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC S ...
.
The following week, he made one tackle, two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by
Carson Palmer during a 17–13 victory at the
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The ...
in Week 4.
On November 27, 2016, McDonald recorded a season-high seven solo tackles during a 49–21 loss at the
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...
in Week 12.
On December 12, 2016, Los Angeles Rams' general manager
Les Snead fired head coach
Jeff Fisher and named special teams coordinator
John Fassel the interim head coach for the last three games of the regular season. The Rams stood at 4–9 at the time and suffered a 42–14 home loss to the
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The Falcons were founded o ...
the previous day. On January 1, 2017, he made five combined tackles, broke up a pass, and made an interception during the Rams' 44–6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17.
He finished his last season with the Rams with 64 combined tackles (50 solo), six pass deflections, a career-high two interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.
He earned the 58th highest overall grade from
Pro Football Focus, among the 89 qualifying safeties.
On March 29, 2017, it was reported that McDonald received an eight-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The suspension was in relation to his arrest the previous year (see personal life). He also attended a meeting with the Miami Dolphins on the same day he received his suspension.
Miami Dolphins
2017
On March 31, 2017, the
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...
signed McDonald to a one-year, $1.34 million contract.
During training camp, McDonald competed against
Nate Allen to be the starting free safety. Head coach
Adam Gase named McDonald the starting free safety for the regular season, along with strong safety
Reshad Jones. Nate Allen was named his replacement while he served his eight-game suspension.
On September 2, 2017, the Dolphins signed McDonald to a four-year, $24 million contract extension with $10 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4.76 million.
In Week 10, he made his regular season debut as a member of the Dolphins and collected a season-high nine combined tackles in their 45–21 loss at the
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The t ...
. On December 3, 2017, McDonald recorded three combined tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception in the Dolphins' 35–9 victory against the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...
in Week 13. He finished the season with 45 combined tackles (31 solo), three pass deflections, and an interception in eight games and eight starts.
Pro Football Focus gave McDonald an overall grade of 74.3, ranking him 59th among all qualifying safeties in 2017.
2018
In 2018, McDonald started 14 games, recording 86 tackles, five passes defensed, and a career-high three interceptions.
On August 25, 2019, McDonald was released by the Dolphins.
NFL career statistics
Personal life
McDonald's father,
Tim, also attended USC and played 13 years in the NFL.
His brother,
Tevin, briefly played for the
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders were a professional American football team based in Oakland, California, from its founding in 1960 to 1981, and again from 1995 to 2019 before Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas, relocating to the Las Vegas metropolitan ...
in 2015.
On May 10, 2016, McDonald was arrested for DUI, and was charged on September 15, 2016. In January 2017, he pleaded guilty for his DUI along with possession of drugs. In the aftermath, McDonald was fined $390, received 36 months of probation, and was ordered to undergo 200 hours of community service in addition to attending a three-month alcohol program along with 18 narcotic anonymous classes. On March 29, 2017, while a free agent, McDonald was suspended for the first eight games of the 2017 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy, regarding his previous DUI charge.
References
External links
USC Trojans bio*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcdonald, T. J.
1991 births
Living people
Players of American football from Fresno, California
American football safeties
USC Trojans football players
St. Louis Rams players
Los Angeles Rams players
Miami Dolphins players