John McClamrock

Who was John McClamrock?

John McClamrock was a Dallas high school American football player who received media attention and sympathy from many Americans after an accident that left him with near-total paralysis in 1973.

McClamrock, a resident of Preston Hollow, attended Hillcrest High School. On October 17, 1973, an accident during an American football game led to a severe injury in which he was paralyzed from the neck down. Hundreds of Hillcrest students visited him at Presbyterian Hospital following his injury. Various Dallas-area schools held benefit games in honor of McClamrock. Local newspapers covered McClamrock's story. The owner of the area Bonanza Steakhouse chain held a "Johnny McClamrock Day" in which 10% of sales were given to a medical fund. Hillcrest High School held numerous benefit events in his honor. McClamrock received get well cards from people across the United States. President Richard Nixon sent McClamrock a condolence letter. For the rest of his life, McClamrock's mother, Ann Logan "Pretty Annie" McClamrock, cared for him. McClamrock, with assistance from family members and tutors, graduated from high school in 1975.