Ernie McMillan

Ernest Charles McMillan (February 21, 1938 – November 25, 2024) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl four times. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Early life McMillan was born on February 21, 1938, in Chicago Heights or Evanston, Illinois. His family's surname was McMillon but it was recorded inadvertently with an "a" on his birth certificate and never corrected.

He grew up in Chicago and attended DuSable High School, where he excelled in both football and basketball. The 1953–1954 basketball team has been called one of the finest ever in the Chicago Public League, pioneering basketball styles, establishing the place of Chicago in Illinois basketball, and breaking racial barriers. His brother Shellie McMillon, who went on to play in the NBA, was also on that DuSable team. He also played on defense. His teammates included future NFL players Bill Brown and Ed O'Bradovich.

Professional football career McMillan was selected in the 13th round of the 1961 NFL draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. When he reported to training camp, he had bulked up to 283 pounds; losing 20 pounds in camp. The Cardinals converted him to the offensive tackle position at right tackle, and he started six games his rookie season. He became a full-time starter at offensive tackle in his second season, and would go on to start 162 straight games for the Cardinals, until suffering a knee injury during a 1973 game. Overcoming inexperience, he became one of the NFL's best pass blockers. McMillan did not miss a game due to injury in his first 12 years with the Cardinals. In 1974, he agreed to switch to left tackle to accommodate future hall of famer Dan Dierdorf playing right tackle. His 162 consecutive starts are a team record for a position player (as of 2024).

He played in four Pro Bowls (1965, 1967, 1969–1970), and was twice selected second-team All Pro by the Associated Press (1966-67). United Press International selected him second-team All Pro in 1966 and 1968 and first team All-Conference in 1970 and 1971. The Newspaper Enterprise Association selected him first-team All Pro in 1967, and second-team in 1965, 1968, and 1970.

After suffering a nerve injury in 1974, McMillan was waived before the start of the 1975 season. He was President of Proud magazine, focusing on the meaningful growth and presence of African American role and culture in St. Louis. He was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.