oldschooler Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 [size="5"][b]Where are they now? Eastside's Ricardo McDonald [/b][/size]Tuesday, March 8, 2011 BY KEITH IDEC The Record STAFF WRITER Ricardo McDonald is in the minority among former professional football players. While many of them suffer from debilitating physical ailments, financial difficulties and marital problems that often lead to divorce in their post-NFL lives, McDonald is in good physical condition, is a happily married father of four and is part-owner of a thriving truck stop 90 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, where the ex-Eastside star was a collegiate standout for the Panthers. Whenever possible, McDonald encourages NFL players to begin preparing for their lives after football. "It's important for these guys to know that you're not only living for today, but for tomorrow," McDonald, 41, said. "Not just financially, but from a physical and emotional standpoint. Guys get cut or released at some point. No one plays forever. Why wait until it ends? Why not just prepare and have an exit strategy?" McDonald, selected in the fourth round of the 1992 NFL draft by Cincinnati, was a starting linebacker for the Bengals for six seasons and started two more seasons for the Bears. The [color="#1f3b8c"]Paterson[/color] native has since put his economics degree to good use as an executive in the pharmaceutical industry, and followed the financial advice of his agent and others once his career ended in 2000. It hurts him, however, when tragedies like Dave Duerson's suicide occur. McDonald met Duerson many times at Bears' alumni events. He and Duerson had a pleasant conversation at a bar in Hawaii last year, and Duerson didn't indicate in any way that he was depressed. Duerson's death last month was among many heartbreaks that have made McDonald not only appreciate what he has, but drive him to help fellow former NFL players as much as possible. "One thing that I've been a huge advocate for is a transition program for guys who leave the NFL," said McDonald, a motivational speaker who works with students, corporate employees and prison inmates near Richmond, Texas, the Houston suburb where he has lived since 2002. "A lot of guys have a hard time dealing with the fact that football is over. I would love to create some sort of transition house to get these men decompressed and give all athletes what I call a burial. They have to move on with their lives and start their second careers." McDonald will keep a close eye on the labor battle between NFL owners and players. More than anything, McDonald hopes the owners offer better medical coverage for retired players. "This is not some third-world country," McDonald said. "Once you play your last down in the league, the NFL couldn't care less about you. But these are former professional athletes who were idolized and did great things. At what particular point does these guys' value erode to the point that no one cares what happens to them?" His hometown is on McDonald's mind, too. He and his twin brother, former Kennedy star and NFL linebacker Devon McDonald, were among the best high school football players in North Jersey during the 1980s. They also experienced personal tragedy that made them want to provide positive examples to [color="#1f3b8c"]Paterson[/color]'s youth. Their brother, Maurice McDonald Sr., was murdered April 1, 1991, in Philadelphia. The shooting of the former Eastside football player left the rest of the McDonald family to care for his then-infant son, Maurice Jr., a former [color="#1f3b8c"]Paterson[/color] Catholic standout who made the dean's list at the University of Maine. He'll be a junior wide receiver next season. Ricardo McDonald remains in close contact with the nephew he has advised. He also is in the process of beginning a mentoring program in [color="#1f3b8c"]Paterson[/color], where he was recognized by the Paterson Great Falls Rotary Club at a dinner last year for his contributions to the community. "If someone would've talked to [Maurice Sr.] about the choices he was making in his life, maybe things would've turned out different," McDonald said. "One of my main goals is to come back [to [color="#1f3b8c"]Paterson[/color]] this year and a make an impact." E-mail: idec@northjersey.com [url="http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/football/117566623_Second_life_after_NFL.html"]http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/football/117566623_Second_life_after_NFL.html[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texbengal Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Rico was a pretty good ballplayer... better than his twin. Good to see that he's had a good career after football. Paterson's a tough town... didn't know he was from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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