Lindsy McLean
Encyclopedia
J. Lindsy McLean was an athletic trainer for college and professional American football
teams for nearly 50 years.
McLean began his career as a student athletic trainer at Vanderbilt University
in 1956. In 1963, he was the head athletic trainer and director of physical therapy at the University of California
. He was the head athletic trainer at the University of Michigan
for eleven years from 1968 to 1978.
In 1979, he moved to professional sports and became the head athletic trainer for the San Francisco 49ers
, a position he held for 24 years. He retired at the conclusion of the 2003 NFL season
. In 1988, he was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers' Association
Hall of Fame.
In February 2004, ESPN The Magazine
published a feature story on McLean in which he acknowledged that he was gay and discussed his experiences in the world of football. He said that many players and team officials were aware of his homosexuality during his years with the 49ers. He detailed incidences of harassment from players as well, including one player who repeatedly grabbed him and performed simulated sex while other players watched.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
teams for nearly 50 years.
McLean began his career as a student athletic trainer at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in 1956. In 1963, he was the head athletic trainer and director of physical therapy at the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
. He was the head athletic trainer at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
for eleven years from 1968 to 1978.
In 1979, he moved to professional sports and became the head athletic trainer for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, a position he held for 24 years. He retired at the conclusion of the 2003 NFL season
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
. In 1988, he was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers' Association
National Athletic Trainers' Association
The National Athletic Trainers' Association is a professional membership association serving certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession in the United States...
Hall of Fame.
In February 2004, ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine is a bi-weekly sports magazine published by the ESPN sports network in Bristol, Connecticut in the United States. The first issue was published on March 11, 1998....
published a feature story on McLean in which he acknowledged that he was gay and discussed his experiences in the world of football. He said that many players and team officials were aware of his homosexuality during his years with the 49ers. He detailed incidences of harassment from players as well, including one player who repeatedly grabbed him and performed simulated sex while other players watched.
Further reading
- New York Times: "49ers Decide to Add Diversity to Training Camp," July 8, 2004, accessed January 25, 2010