Ex-49ers Standout Ray McDonald — and His Dogs — Are in Legal Trouble Again
Ray McDonald, the oft-troubled former NFL defensive linemen, is in the news again. His dogs, who are no stranger to controversy, joined him.
McDonald, who partnered with All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis on the San Francisco 49ers defenses that reached three NFC championship games in the 2010s, is facing a lawsuit in Delray Beach, Fla.
Legal issues are nothing new for McDonald, whose career ended prematurely after various off-field problems.
Ray McDonald played eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers
Born in Pahokee, Fla., Ray McDonald stayed in the Sunshine State and played collegiately at the University of Florida.
McDonald earned first-team All-SEC honors as a redshirt junior in 2006, the same year Florida won the national championship.
The San Francisco 49ers, in the same draft they added future star linebacker Patrick Willis, added McDonald with the 97th overall selection. McDonald mostly came off the bench in his first few years, although he had a sack and 27 tackles in 15 games (nine starts) in 2008.
As with quarterback Alex Smith on offense, everything changed for McDonald when Jim Harbaugh took over in 2011.
McDonald joined the starting lineup at defensive end and immediately posted 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and six tackles for loss.
From 2011-13, the three years San Francisco made the NFC championship game, McDonald recorded 86 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and 11.5 sacks.
McDonald added four sacks and two tackles for loss in eight playoff games.
McDonald’s career ended over various legal issues
Ray McDonald was in the midst of another strong season in 2014. McDonald already had tied his career-high in tackles (39) through 14 games and added three sacks and four tackles for loss.
San Jose Police (Calif.) named McDonald as a suspect in a sexual assault case in December 2014.
Police had already been called to McDonald’s house twice that year and even arrested him that August on suspicion of domestic violence.
No formal charges were filed and McDonald kept his job with the 49ers.
The 49ers immediately released the starting defensive end after the December 2014 incident.
That wasn’t the end for McDonald’s career, though. The Chicago Bears signed him in March 2015 but cut him two months later after he was arrested on charges for domestic violence and child endangerment.
According to The Mercury News, the charges were dismissed against McDonald in April 2017 when the alleged victim refused to testify.
McDonald never played again.
Ray McDonald — and his dogs — are in trouble again
Over five years since Ray McDonald last wore an NFL practice uniform, he’s in the news for the wrong reasons.
The Palm Beach Post (Fla.) reported McDonald is facing a lawsuit, “alleging his two 115-pound Corso dogs terrorized a number of residents at the Foxe Chase development.”
The lawsuit alleges McDonald’s dogs attacked his neighbors and a property owners association board member.
Animal control officials in San Jose, Calif., previously labeled one of the dogs, Brutus, “as a “dangerous dog” in May 2015.
The Post reported the POA “had reservations about approving McDonald’s application to buy a home at Foxe Chase.”
When the threat of a lawsuit happened, McDonald bought the home.
According to Mizner Grande Realty, Foxe Chase — located in Delray Beach, Fla., an area roughly 60 miles north of Miami — is a “luxury home, estate community.”
The newspaper reported attorneys have not been able to find McDonald. Buccaneer Realty, McDonald’s real estate, is facing contempt of court charges “for refusing to provide information” to the attorneys.
McDonald’s father, former Florida Gators receiver Ray McDonald Sr., has also been subpoenaed.
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