Clinton McDonald is a leader on and off the field. As an 8-year veteran tackle, McDonald is a consistent force on the defensive line. Off the field, McDonald also serves as a force in the community while advocating for military members and their families.
On Monday evening, the 2017 Salute to Service nominee hosted Operation Fatherhood, welcoming more than 50 military fathers and their children to One Buccaneer Place. The private clinic allowed one-on-one downtime for fathers to connect with their children, through fun trivia and interactive drills.
Operation Fatherhood was the brain child of McDonald and Director of Player Engagement, Duke Preston. Joined by two team clinical psychologists, the group of fathers candidly shared the experiences of fatherhood using the team motto, C.O.M.P.E.T.E. as a tool. The discussion finished with a powerful exercise between father and child speaking to each other with words of affirmation.
Military dads and their children joined Clinton McDonald on Monday evening for football and family time.
"I was convicted in my own household as a young man and husband and I know these service men go through the same thing." McDonald shared when discussing time spent on the road during the season. "They give to our nation in a major way and we want to share an acronym that we use on the field, C.O.M.P.E.T.E. for time with their family."
Son of an Air Force engineer and Vietnam veteran, McDonald credits his father and disciplined background for shaping him as a man and husband. During the discussion, one kid asked McDonald what he did with his Super Bowl ring (earned during his time with Seattle Seahawks). McDonald's answer, his father. "He earned it".
