ITTA BENA – Mississippi Valley State is sad to announce the death of David McDaniels, a former MVSU football standout receiver.
He died on Thursday, June 14. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, June 23, at noon at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church (6100 NW 24
th Ave.) in Miami, Fla.
McDaniels, a Miami native, was selected in the second round (45
th overall) of the NFL Draft in 1968 by the Dallas Cowboys after a successful career at MVSU.
In 1966, McDaniels broke an NAIA record in receiving yards averaged per game with 137.3. He finished the season with 65 catches for 1,236 yards and seven touchdowns. He broke the previous record of 129.2 set by Spencer Gordon in 1965.
Following his rookie season with the Cowboys, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for one of the most well-known NFL players in history, Mike Ditka. McDaniels also played for the Chicago Bears during his NFL career.
After an injury, McDaniels was sent to play with the Richmond Saints, a semi-professional team in Richmond, Virginia. Following his professional football career, he moved into the health education field for the next 15 years where he taught physical education in the Richmond Public School District and Prince George County Public Schools (Suitland, Md.). He later opened up a successful lawn and landscaping service and car wash.
“We are deeply saddened over the death of not only a great athlete, but a great man,” said MVSU interim director of athletics Donald Sims. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the McDaniels family.”
