Published: July 19, 2008 01:13 am            

Donaldson keeps family string alive

Ryan Donaldson comes from a family where football has been in their blood. And now the recent Covington-Douglas High graduate has joined a rather exclusive fraternity.

Donaldson will line up at cornerback for tonight’s Oklahoma 8-Man Coaches Association All-Star football game, which will be played on the campus Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami. He will be the fourth Donaldson to participate in the game.

Ryan joins his two older brothers, Reed and Rustin, and father, Tom, as all-star game participants.

“That’s pretty special to me, all four of us getting to play,” said Ryan, who is a member of the Green team for the 7 p.m. kickoff. “It’s an honor. Not everybody gets to do this. I feel pretty privileged to play in this game.”

Donaldson’s all-star selection came after he was two-year starter for the Wildcats. Last season, Donaldson threw for 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns as the team’s signal caller. As a safety, he tied for the team lead with nine interceptions and tallied 101 tackles.

Donaldson, who also played basketball and baseball for the Wildcats, said he has enjoyed having many of his former foes as teammates this week.

“They’re all great athletes,” he said. “It’s just an honor to be able to play with these guys.”

Donaldson said he and his teammates have enjoyed the week, which has included visits from a local fire department, a hypnotist and a bowling trip with the local Boys & Girls Club.

But Donaldson’s week has not entirely been pleasant.

Prior to leaving for Miami on Tuesday, Donaldson did something he had never done. He shaved his head.

Earlier in the week, he suffered a significant sunburn on his head. Donaldson said he has been putting ice on his head, hoping to keep the sunburn from swelling up.

Will Donaldson shave his head again?

“I doubt it,” he said with a laugh.

Today’s game will be the final time Donaldson will put on the pads. Next month, he will attend college at Rose State College on a Presidential Leadership scholarship.

“I enjoy the sport,” said Donaldson. “Most people’s careers end at the end of football season. It feels good to get one more chance.”

• Note: Longtime Pioneer High football coach and Executive Director of the Coaches Association Richard Grady was inducted into the Oklahoma 8-Man Coaches Association Hall of Fame during an awards banquet Friday night. Tulsa head coach Todd Graham was scheduled to be the guest speaker for the banquet.