Tim McDonald was an All-American at USC, where he continued the tradition of excellent Safeties the Trojans produced.  The St. Louis Cardinals used their Second Round Pick in 1987 to get him, and it was as a Cardinal where he spent the first half of his career.

McDonald only played three Games as a rookie, but as the team relocated to Phoenix, he earned the starting Strong Safety job, which he held for five years.  Leading the NFL in Forced Fumbles (4) in 1988, McDonald went to his first Pro Bowl, accruing career-highs in Tackles (155) and Interceptions (7).  Opponents knew to stay away from McDonald afterward, thus reducing his tackling metrics, but he still made two more Pro Bowls (1991 & 1992) while running the secondary.

McDonald signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 1993, where he won a Super Bowl and went to three more Pro Bowls.  He had half of his 40 Interceptions with the Cards.