Career
He was born and died in Chicago, Illinois. In 1912 he was disqualified in the 200-meter breaststroke event as well as in the 400-meter breaststroke competition. Eight years later he was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 200-meter breaststroke event as well as in the semi-finals of the 400-meter breaststroke competition.
At the 1920 Games he was also part of the American water polo team which finished fourth in the Olympic tournament.
He played in two matches. McDermott was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1969.