We are writing to share the sad news that legendary Dartmouth rugger and footballer, Don McKinnon '63, passed away last weekend after a long bout with cancer.
Mike Murphy '61, remembers Don as "...a great second row player...powerful in the scrum...ferocious in any line out...the best kind of teammate you could ask for." Mike also describes Don as "a happy, decent guy...always fun to be around "(and the owner of) "a great Boston Irish sense of humor."
His football teammate, Bill King '63, states, "We will always remember Don not only as a superb center and linebacker, but mostly as a friend and spiritual leader of our team."
After graduation from Dartmouth, Don was drafted in the tenth round by the AFL's Boston (now New England) Patriots and by the NFL's New York Giants in the eleventh round. He signed with the Patriots and played in seventeen games over the 1963 and 1964 seasons.
A memorial service will be held in May on Block Island where Don’s sister lives. We will provide further details once plans are finalized. Don will be deeply missed by his friends, family and teammates. As we prepare for the Las Vegas Sevens College Invitational which takes place in two weeks with two Big Green football players on the twelve man squad, it is fitting to remember perhaps the greatest two sport (rugby/football) athlete in Dartmouth history. We have included a photo of the undefeated 1961 Dartmouth Rugby Team. Don McKinnon is the tall, light-haired player standing in the back row, second from right.