USD Football 1995

- ATTHEIRBEST

THE NATIONAL GUARD SALUTES FOOTBALL'S ALL-AMERICANS

devastating blocker. Durable. Spectacular. Tough. These words and phrases can all be used to describe Minnesota Vikings guard Randall McDaniel and his play on the football field. Generous. Giving. Caring. Selfless. These can all be used to describe McDaniel off the field. McDaniel, 30, is a rare athlete. He has combined speed, quickness and power to reach an amazing six consecutive Pro Bowls and earn six straight All-Pro nods. Entering the 1995 season, he had a streak of 90 consecutive regular-season starts, a club record for guards. He is also a rare person. He combines that sparkling athle tic talent with a will- ingness to help today's young and give back to the community. McDaniel uses his role as a spo rts celebrity to urge children to stay in school. McDaniel himself knows the importance ofeducation-he earned a degree in phys- ical education from Arizona State, com- bining studies with an All-America colle- giate career. He is an original member ofthe Vikings' School is Cool team, which makes a series ofappearances at Minnesota schools to advo- cate the importance of learning and encourage students. Befitting an offensive lineman who knows that teamwork on the line is vital to springing a halfback on a long run o r protecting the passer, McDaniel recently opened a retreat for disenfranchised youth itywork, McDaniel gets the satisfac- tion of knowing he's helped o th- ers. For his work on the footba ll called Adventure US near St. Louis that fi e ld , McDaniel stresses teamwork in problem solving and also offers educational programs. YWCATransitional Housing Program in St. Paul. They have coordinated visits with many Vikings and also throw a Christmas party at the Vikings' camp each holiday sea- son. McDaniel likes to relax on the golf course, and he gets ample oppor- tunity to do so, playing in several charity tourna- ments each year, including one that benefits the Doc- tor's Hospital Re ha bilitatio n Center in Colum- bus, Ohio, Multi- ple Sclerosis and Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. He also sponsors a read- ing program in his native Phoenix. For all his char-

Throughout his eight-year career in the NFL, the 6-3, 274-pound McDaniel has been a terror to opposingdefenses. He's quite the opposite in the community.

annually earns a truckload of awards- including mention onjustabout everyone's All-Pro teams-for a busting-at-the-seams trophy case.

McDaniel and his wife, Marianne, also work with homeless children from the

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