Nicknamed "The Dancing Bear" for his deceptive agility and massive frame, Ron McDole joined the Buffalo Bills in 1963 after brief stints with St. Louis and Houston. Lined up at left defensive end, McDole became a fixture in Western New York, serving as a defensive team captain and combining relentless run defense with unbelievable ball skills for a lineman.

McDole combined strength, football instincts, and spatial awareness along the edge. Instead of relying solely on speed off the corner, he used precise hand placement to shed blocks, establish a strong edge against perimeter sweeps, and collapse passing pockets. His standout skill was his vision: McDole read quarterback eyes and screen passes better than most linemen of his era, often raising his hands to deflect throws or dropping into passing lanes to make turnovers.

McDole’s career in Buffalo started in 1963, where he played 12 games as a key rotational end during the team's run to the AFL Eastern Division title game. In 1964, he became a full-time starter at left defensive end, playing all 14 games and recording a safety as Buffalo won its first AFL Championship. The following year, in 1965, McDole was selected as an AFL All-Star, recovering five fumbles and leading a defense that repeated as AFL Champions. He continued his excellence with an AP First-Team All-AFL selection in 1966, starting every game and helping Buffalo advance to its third consecutive AFL title game.

McDole received his second AFL All-Star nomination in 1967. In 1968, he delivered an impressive season, with two intercepted passes for 47 yards and a fumble recovery. He continued to demonstrate durability in 1969, starting all 14 games and earning his fifth straight All-AFL honor. McDole concluded his notable career in Western New York by starting 13 games during the 1970 AFL-NFL merger season, bringing his total to 109 regular-season games with the Bills.

In May 1971, after completing eight seasons in Western New York, the Bills traded McDole to Washington in exchange for draft picks. In the capital, McDole rejuvenated his career as a seasoned leader for George Allen's "Over the Hill Gang," starting in Super Bowl VII and playing eight more seasons before retiring in 1978 at age 39 with a total of 240 career games.

In Buffalo, McDole had 34 sacks and six picks over 141 games.