2012-GameRelease-Divisional

Gameday Story: Everyone Loves Ray
By Taylor Price, 49ers.com
Player Feature Story
The San Francisco 49ers have one of, if not the, best rush defenses in the NFL. Filled with multiple All-
Pro and Pro Bowl players, it’s hard for all 11 deserving players to get recognition.
One of the most unheralded defenders is defensive tackle Ray McDonald, a hard-working lineman who’s
earned the respect of his teammates and coaches with his consistent approach.
McDonald continues to be at the forefront of San Francisco’s tough defense and maintains his role as one
of the locker room’s favorite players. This week’s Gameday Magazine cover story touched on McDonald’s
respect amongst his peers in their words only.
Find out why everyone loves Ray McDonald.
Everyone Loves Ray
[Just not the opposition.]
By Taylor Price, 49ers.com
This isn’t a story for stats or analysis – it’s a collection of real-life words about a dominant San Francisco
49ers defender. The anecdotes, descriptions and opinions come directly from the people who know Ray
McDonald best, his teammates and coaches. That’s it. Pure and simple.
San Francisco’s 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive tackle continues to endear himself to those who know him
well. McDonald does it all while distancing himself from those who have the unenviable assignment of
blocking one of the strongest players in the National Football League. McDonald’s come a long way when
you consider that the 49ers third-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft entered the league with health
questions. But what many viewed as a concern, McDonald has used as fuel. The defensive tackle has
missed two games in five seasons; all while becoming one of the most underrated players in the game
today.
The people who spend the most time with McDonald know that and so do the people who break down his
game tape. That’s why they wrote this story. In it, teammates and the San Francisco defender himself,
discuss everything on McDonald’s rise from a National Championship experience at the University of
Florida, to him overcoming major knee injuries (both in college and his rookie season), to evaluating his
exceptional game tape, to mastering the no-sack dance, to his diverse musical interests and lastly, a
breakdown on the mutual respect that’s prevalent in the 49ers locker room.
Everyone loves Ray (McDonald). Here are the reasons why, from the people who know him best.
“Everyone Loves Ray”
STARRING:
RM: 49ers Defensive Tackle – Ray McDonald.
CO-STARRING:
VF: Defensive Coordinator – Vic Fangio.
JT: Defensive Line Coach – Jim Tomsula.
JS: All-Pro Defensive Tackle – Justin Smith.
DG: Pro Bowl Safety & 2007Draft Class Member – Dashon Goldson.
TB: Starting Cornerback & 2007 Draft Class Member –Tarell Brown.
PH: Outside Linebacker & Six-Year Teammate –Parys Haralson.
RJF: Defensive Tackle & Understudy – Ricky Jean Francois.