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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Randy McMillan, the 12th overall pick of the 1981 NFL Draft who enjoyed a six-year career in the Colts' backfield, died Wednesday. He was 67.
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McMillan was tabbed with the Baltimore Colts' first pick in the 1981 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh and immediately installed as the first-string running back. In his debut game against the New England Patriots, McMillan put on one of the most memorable performances of his career.
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Playing at Schaefer Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, McMillan torched the Pats for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in a 29-28 Baltimore victory. That performance earned McMillan the NFL Offensive Player of the Week Award from the Professional Football Writers of America.
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McMillan's 146 rushing yards are the second-most ever by a Colts player in his NFL debut. Only Marshall Faulk scored more rushing touchdowns (three in 1994) among Colts players players in their NFL debut.
However, McMillan would not rush for 100 yards in a game for another two years. He finished his rookie season with 597 yards on the ground and another 466 receiving, totaling four touchdowns. He did not gain any votes for the 1981 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, which went to New Orleans Saints running back George Rogers.
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From 1981-86, McMillan played 88 games for the Colts, making the move with the franchise from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984, and started all but one. Over the Colts' first three years in Indianapolis, McMillan led the team in rushing yards each year — with 705, 858 and 609, respectively.
In the spring of 1987, McMillan sustained a significant leg injury when he was struck by a car, ultimately leading to his retirement at age 28. He finished his career with 3,876 yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground, as well as 1,356 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions.
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Before he teamed up with future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino at Pitt, McMillan was a junior college star at Harford (Maryland) College. He led the nation in scoring and rushing in 1978, helping the Owls secure an undefeated season. He was named to the 1978 All-American Team.
McMillan was later inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame, as well as the Harford Sports Hall of Fame.
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