Dan McMillan Cal Wonder Team Legend

June 29, 1898 - From parts unknown - Dan McMillan, who played in 1917 and 1919 for Southern California and then the 1920 and 1921 seasons for the University of California at tackle, was born.

The FootballFoundation.org says that after McMillan had just completed two outstanding seasons at Southern Cal, World War I called him to serve his country as a pilot. While in flight school near Berkeley, McMillan met several of the California players and was impressed enough to transfer to Cal. The fabled "Wonder Teams" of coach Andy Smith had been gifted with the All-America talents that helped the Bears to dominance in the West, running a 50-game unbeaten streak until 1925. In 1920, the Golden Bears out-scored nine opponents, 510-14, and then blanked Ohio State in the Rose Bowl 28-0.

McMillan helped Cal to another unbeaten season and Rose Bowl appearance in 1921, gaining consensus All-America honors after another outstanding year of performances on the field.  Dan McMillan’s collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame after his induction in 1971.

The image is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of the 1920 Wonder team, which shows the 1920 University of California, Berkeley Golden Bears football team, aka The Wonder Team. From left to right: Brick Muller, Bob Berkey, Duke Morrison, Charley Erb, Pesky Sprott, Crip Toomey, Dan McMillan, Stan Barnes, Lee Cranmer, George "Fat" Latham, and Cort Majors

For more on Dan McMillan, the Cal Wonder teams, and Andy Smith, check out our book When Greasy Met the Wonder Coach