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Former LSU standout McDaniel dies of coronavirus

Field Level Media

March 28, 2020 at 9:36 pm.

Former LSU football player and track standout Orlando McDaniel died Friday night due to the coronavirus. He was 59.

LSU track coach Dennis Shaver told media outlets on Saturday that McDaniel fell ill after returning from a trip to the Washington D.C. area. McDaniel lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and coached track and field athletes.

“He was such a tremendous athlete in both sports, but the love he had for track and field was really special,” Shaver said. “We’re fortunate that people like him get involved with our youth.

“He was one of the most important people in our sport. He had to persuade youth to spend their summers doing something productive. Orlando had essentially dedicated his life to it. They’d come to summer meets and have two busloads full of people. It was a real impressive group of people. He’s sorely going to be missed.”

McDaniel caught 41 passes for 719 yards and two touchdowns as an LSU senior in 1981 and was a second-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos. He played in three games in 1982 but didn’t catch a pass.

In track and field, McDaniel won the SEC title in the 110-meter hurdles in 1980 and finished second at the NCAA championships. He was a two-time All-American in the 110 hurdles (1980-81) and also earned All-American status in the 60-yard hurdles in 1980.

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