Longtime St. Louis Football Cardinals star Ernie McMillan passed away last night at the age of 86.
The Cardinals selected McMillan in the 13th round of the 1961 NFL Draft. The Chicago native played tight end at the University of Illinois before becoming an offensive lineman in the NFL.
It didn’t take long for McMillan to master the offensive tackle position. He played in four Pro Bowls and was twice selected as second-team All-Pro. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1972 and won the Chuck Drulis Award in 1973.
McMillan was a team captain and inspiration to his Cardinal teammates.
“Ernie McMillan is a professional football player’s football player,” teammate Jackie Smith once said.
Throughout his playing career, McMillan enjoyed working with youth programs and was honored many times for his community service. He often spoke at local churches, schools and organizations such as the YMCA. He also published Proud Magazine, which was designed to give the black community in St. Louis a voice and a focus.
After retiring from football, McMillan served as offensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers and later the Cardinals where he worked under his former coach Jim Hanifan.
Athletes are no strangers in the McMillan family. Both of his brothers played basketball. Shellie played in the NBA for five seasons and his younger brother Floyd played minor league ball. His son, Erik, played for the New York Jets, and his nephew, Howard Richards, played for the Dallas Cowboys
McMillan played 14 seasons with the Cardinals and one with the Green Bay Packers before retiring after the 1975 season.
Learn more about Ernie McMillan below:
THE BIG RED ZONE 
Thanks for advising, Bob. You did a great job on this. Even as a kid in the 1960s, I viewed Ernie McMillan as a tower of strength, a consummate professional and a smart, classy player. To me, he ranks with the greatest of all NFL offensive linemen.
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Thanks, Mark. His teammates loved him. When a young Dan Dierdorf struggled at left tackle, Ernie volunteered to change positions so Dan could play right tackle which he was more familiar with. That’s the kind of person he was. Team leader and leader in the community.
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Sorry to hear about the passing away of Ernie McMillan. A class act and without a doubt one of the greatest to play for the Big Red. 162 consecutive games played through good times and bad times. Too bad he couldn’t see any action in that playoff game against Minnesota. You also have to admire and appreciate how off the field he was a great mentor, role model and someone who gave something back to society.
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He was well respected on and off the field. Thanks for your comment.
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He’s was a great player, person, advice, Father. He should be called one of the great NFL H.O.F. players. let’s vote him in.
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Agree! Ernie and his fellow linemate Ken Gray never received much consideration from the HOF committees, and it’s a shame.
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1000% agreed
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