FLOWERY BRANCH — Former Falcons center Todd McClure, who played 13 seasons with the team, will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in October.
McClure, who played at LSU, started 195 of 198 games over 13 seasons with the Falcons.
“It’s truly an honor,” McClure said. “It brought out a lot of emotions. Having (former Falcons offensive linemen) Tyson Clabo and Justin Blalock there, it was a great moment. It brought back a lot of emotion, a lot of blood, sweat and tears that was poured into this organization. For them to honor me and put me with the rest of those guys is huge. It’s truly an honor, and something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
McClure was drafted in the seventh round (237th overall) of the 1999 NFL draft. He missed his rookie season with a knee injury, but in 2000 he cracked the starting lineup.
“I wasn’t the most talented guy,” McClure said. “But I took pride in making the guys around me better. I feel like I was a great teammate. To hear that in that video really meant a lot to me.”
McClure, an Alex Gibbs disciple, won battle after battle to retain his job and stayed as the center through four coaching administrations, playing for coaches Dan Reeves, Jim Mora, Bobby Petrino and Mike Smith.
“I think it was a combination of things,” McClure said. “They got me cheap. My family was here, and I didn’t want to move. I had some other opportunities, but raising my family in one city was part of it.”
McClure knew how to relate to coaches.
“I tend to think I was a ‘yes guy,’” McClure said. “I was a coach’s son. My dad coached high school ball and college ball. I related well to coaches. So, no matter who came in, even if it was Bobby Petrino, I was going to try to do the right thing.
“I wasn’t going to buck the system. I bought in, I poured into every scheme. I poured into this franchise. I didn’t take it for granted what I did for a living. I got to play a child’s game, and I loved doing it. I did whatever was asked of me from every coach and new scheme that came in. It just worked out. I was fortunate and blessed.”
He was one of the more popular Falcons because of his gritty style of play and was nicknamed “Mud Duck.”
McClure reflected on some of the highlights of his career when he retired.
“For me, I guess my first big highlight was when we went up to Lambeau Field and we beat the Packers (in the 2002 season), when it had never been done before in the playoffs,” McClure said. “We went up there and beat them. That was pretty big and special.”
The Falcons went to the NFC Championship game in the 2004 season.
“Then the game against the St. Louis Rams that got us into the NFC Championship game with coach Mora,” McClure said. “We had a ton of yards rushing on the ground that game. That was pretty special.”
In 2010, McClure made his 129th consecutive start, breaking a club record held by linebacker Keith Brooking, who made 128 consecutive starts for the Falcons before moving on to Dallas after the 2008 season.
In 2012, McClure signed a modest one-year contract to continue playing for one last season. He started 17 of 18 games and helped the Falcons reach the NFC Championship game for the second time during his tenure.
“Beating Seattle to get to the NFC Championship game again and the fashion that it happened and the way we did it, has to be in the top highlights for me,” McClure said. “The feeling after that game was just unbelievable.”
McClure will be the 12th member of the Ring of Honor. He will be inducted in a halftime ceremony when the Falcons face the Panthers on Oct. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
McClure thought that he was summoned to the team facilities to discuss the 2012 team.
“I truly believe that’s one of the best teams that’s played for this franchise,” McClure said. “We were here to talk about being a part of it, then (radio broadcaster David) Archer goes into this big buildup and then he goes, ‘Let’s watch this film of (a) clip that we put together.’
“Then Warrick Dunn pops up and he breaks the news and welcomes me to the Ring of Honor. It was just well done, and I’m truly honored.”
The Bow Tie Chronicles
About the Author
