Randall McDaniel, Member, Board of Directors

Randall McDaniel was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. The importance of education was a foundation in his life starting with a childhood that included one of his most precious records – he never missed a day of school from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The first in his family with an opportunity to attend college, Randall earned his BacheIor’s degree in PhysicaI Education from Arizona State University. At ASU, McDanieI was a four-year starter and born leader on the gridiron. He was named a First Team All American in 1986 and 1987. As a senior, he earned the Morris Trophy as the Pac 10’s best offensive lineman. He is a member of ASU’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Sun DeviI Ring of Honor and was inducted into the CoiIege Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft, McDaniel stepped into the starting iine-up in the second game of his rookie season. His instant impact with the team earned him All-Rookie honors.

One of the most decorated offensive linemen in NFL history, McDanieI established himseif as the standard by which other Iinemen of his era were judged. Missing oniy two games over his 14-year career earned him the reputation as an ironman. Selected to his first Pro Bowl in 1989, Randall made an NFL-record 12 consecutive trips to Hawaii representing the NFC as their starting Ieft guard. He earned AlI-Pro Honors nine times and was named the NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in three consecutive seasons. His ferocious pIay on the field and his gentle demeanor off of it made him a fan favorite and earned him the respect of both teammates and opponents over his 14-year Career. He is a member of the Vikings Ring of Honor and was enshrined into the Pro FootbaIl Hall of Fame in 2009. ln 2019, Randall was named to the NFL ’′AII-time’’ Top 100 Team.

Active in the community throughout his career, Randall’s efforts have always focused on educational initiatives for young people. For his phiianthropic endeavors, he was named the True Value/NFL ′′Man of the Year” in 1996 and earned the NFL Players Association’s ′′Unsung Hero’’ Award in 1997.

McDaniel spent his off-seasons voIunteering as an educational assistant in the RobbinsdaIe (MN) SchooI District. After retiring from the NFL in 2002, Randall spent more than fifteen years working as an Elementary SchooI Basic Skills lnstructor in Robbinsdale (MN) District 281. His goal is to be a ′′difference maker’’ for his students.

RandalI gives freely of his time and resources to a wide variety of worthy causes. He is an ambassador for the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers Program. He participates in the Taste of the NFL’s efforts to end hunger in America and volunteers with the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance. Randall also actively supports our military heroes through his work with Snowball Express, the Navy SEAL Museum and the Tee it Up for the Troops golf events.

Randall and his wife, Marianne, operate ′′Team McDaniel’’ which fosters the value of community service among its 100 middle-schooI student members. Founded in 2005, Team McDanieI students continue to live up to their motto – ′′Students working together to make a positive impact in our community’’ – collectiveIy, they volunteer over 150 hours eαch month during the school year.

In the fall of 2019, the McDaniels hosted the first annual Randall McDaniel Charity Golf Classic to benefit Open Arms Home for Children in South Africa – a place near and dear to their hearts. Currently, they’re working to establish a Foundation to house their many youth educationaI programs.

With his work in the classroom and in the community, Randall aims to share his belief in the power of education to change lives and fuel dreams – just as it did his own.