Jim McMahon grateful to receive a Royal honor

"It was very nice, man," McMahon said following Friday morning's assembly. "It was quite a tribute, and I'm happy for my Dad. My Dad is so excited that all of this is going on, and now if I can get in the BYU Hall of Fame. I've still got to graduate to get in that one. … It's not that big of a deal to me, but it means a lot to Pop."

McMahon is just four classes short of earning his college degree, but he's having a tough time getting it done.

"I don't know if I'm ever going to get through this math class," he said. "I didn't like school when I was in school, and after 30 years I certainly don't like it now. … But hopefully, I'll get it done."

But the former Roy and BYU star couldn't help but reminisce about days gone by, doing so in his customary candid style.

"I had a scholarship to play basketball at Utah State, but how many 6-foot white boys are there in the NBA that can't dunk?" he asked. "And I missed playing baseball, that's all I ever wanted to do. That's why I went to BYU, to play baseball, but they wouldn't let me play after my freshman year because it conflicted with spring football.

"Actually, I always wanted to be a receiver, but I was too slow. And I would've loved to have played hockey. Hit a guy in the face with a stick and only get two minutes? I would've lived in the penalty box."

McMahon, who was injured in an automobile accident earlier this year in Lake Tahoe when his limo driver fell asleep at the wheel, spends his time playing a lot of golf and doing charitable causes such as the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude's Children's Hospital and a foundation he helped start for his youngest sister who passed away three years ago.

"I had a great career," he said. "I enjoyed playing wherever I went; I did things my way, which not many people can say they did, I retired at 37 years old and I've been living the American dream ever since.

"I put my kids through college, so I've done pretty well for a little skinny white boy from California and Roy."

But playing the game of football for so many years, and playing the hell-bent way he played it, served to beat up McMahon's body — and, due to concussions, his brain, too. He is part of a lawsuit aimed at the NFL for being irresponsible when it comes to players dealing with concussions and its subsequent health issues.

"I deal with it every day, trying to get out of bed," he said. "That's why I moved to Arizona. The warm, dry heat feels so much better on my body than the humidity. And I've had some symptoms with memory loss, there are some problems.

"The game takes its toll on you. But every guy would do it again. I'd do it again, knowing the risks. It's been a great life."

email: rhollis@desnews.com