McDonald accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Ron Zook and coach Urban Meyer's Florida Gators football teams from 2003 to 2006. The Gators coaching staff decided to redshirt him as a true freshman in 2002, and he worked with the Gators scout team. McDonald was a team captain of the 2006 Gators squad that finished with a 13–1 record and defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 41–14 in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game to win the Gators' second national championship. Following the 2006 season, he was recognized as a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection.
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers selected McDonald in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. In 2011, he signed a 5-year, $20 million extension, with $7 million guaranteed. McDonald registered a career-high 5.5 sacks and 39 tackles during the 2011 regular season. On November 16, 2012, McDonald was fined $21,000 for a helmet-to-helmet against St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. At the end of the 2012 season, McDonald and the 49ers appeared in Super Bowl XLVII. In the game, he had one sack and three combined tackles as the 49ers fell to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 34–31. On December 17, 2014, news outlets reported that McDonald was being investigated for a possible sexual assault. That same day, the 49ers released McDonald. In 115 games with the 49ers, McDonald made 68 starts, and totaled 210 tackles, 19.5 sacks, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.
On March 24, 2015, McDonald signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears. On May 25, 2015, McDonald was released after being arrested on charges for domestic violence and child endangerment.
Personal life
McDonald's father, Ray McDonald, Sr., was a four-year letterman for the Florida Gators from 1982 to 1985 and was a standout wide receiver on the 1985 Gators team that finished 9–1–1.
Legal troubles
On May 25, 2014, police arrived at McDonald's residence in response to a 911 call. A police report from that night states that an engaged couple "were in an argument when the female subject became upset, grabbed a firearm registered to the male subject, and held it at her side. When the male subject informed the female subject that he was going to call 911, the female subject put the firearm away and fled without incident. The female subject did not make any threats or point the firearm at the male subject." Three months later on August 31, 2014, police were again called to McDonald's residence. According to an unnamed police source, McDonald's fiancée showed authorities bruises on her arm and neck that she sustained in an alleged altercation with McDonald. The San Josepolice department released a brief statement to the media shortly afterward saying that she did have visible injuries. McDonald was then arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. No formal charges were filed by the Santa Clara CountyDistrict Attorney for either incident. In December 2014, the San Francisco 49ers terminated McDonald just hours after he was named as a suspect in another sexual assault investigation. San Jose Police Sexual Assaults and Investigation Unit searched McDonald's home, as part of the investigation. He was formally indicted by a grand jury for sexual assault on August 27, 2015. Charged with rape by intoxication, McDonald was arrested and then released after posting $100,000 bail. On May 25, 2015, McDonald was arrested once again on suspicion of domestic violence and possible child endangerment. On May 27, 2015, McDonald was arrested again, just two days after the prior arrest, for violating a restraining order. In July, he was charged with domestic violence, felony false imprisonment, child endangerment, and violating a court order.
