John Mackey

John Mackey (born September 24, 1941, New York City, New York) is a former American Football tight end who played for the Baltimore Colts (1963-1971) and the San Diego Chargers (1972). He played collegiately at Syracuse University.

Career statistics

In 1963, Mackey joined the Colts and by 1966, had revolutionized the position of tight end in the NFL. That season, of the nine touchdowns he compiled, six were scores of more than 50 yards, and he served as one of Johnny Unitas' primary receivers. Twice Mackey compiled season averages of more than 20 yards a catch, and his 10-year career average of 15.8 is considered remarkable for a tight end.

Mackey also displayed impressive speed for a tight end. During one season, the Colts decided to use him as a kick returner. He returned 9 kickoffs for 271 yards, an impressive 30.1 yards per return.

Although injuries forced him into early retirement, Mackey proved to be an exremely durable player, missing only one game in his 10-season career.

Super Bowl V

In Super Bowl V played January 17, 1971, Mackey was a principal in one the most famous plays in NFL championship history, catching a pass from quarterback Johnny Unitas after the ball first bounced off the hands of receiver Eddie Hinton and then grazed the fingertips of Cowboys All-Pro defensive back Mel Renfro. The ball caromed further downfield into the waiting arms of Mackey, who ran untouched for a (then) Super Bowl-record 75-yard touchdown reception. Baltimore won the game, 16-13, on Jim O'Brien's 32-yard field goal with five seconds left.

Honors

In 1992, Mackey became the second pure tight end to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mike Ditka of the Bears had been the first one four years earlier. It has been speculated that Mackey's actions as a high-ranking member of the players' union may have led to the delay in his election. In 1999, he was ranked number 48 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranking tight end.

In 2000, the Nassau County Sports Commission created the John Mackey Award which annually honors the top Division 1-FBS collegiate Tight End. He was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame that same year.

On September 15, 2007, Syracuse University retired #88 in Mackey's honor.

On an October 2008 airing of the NFL Network's 'Top 10 Tight Ends' Mackey was the named the #1 tight end by virtually every football figure commenting on the show.

Post-football career health problems

Mackey suffers from frontotemporal dementia, which makes him particularly protective of personal possessions and suspicious of anyone who tries to control his actions. This led to a highly publicized incident in 2005, when airport security screeners asked Mackey to remove one of his rings and he flew into a rage. Mackey was handcuffed, detained and later hospitalized as a result of the incident. During the 2006 NFL season, Mackey was reported by family members to be confused and angered when seeing Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who wears the same #88 jersey that Mackey used to wear.^[1]

At age 65 Mackey's dementia forced him to live in a full-time assisted living facility. NFL Players Association initially refused to pay a disability income due to there not being a proven link between brain injury and playing football. The league and the NFL Players' Association have responded with the "88 plan" – named after Mackey's number. It provides $88,000-a-year for nursing home care and up to $50,000 annually for adult day care. ^{[2] [3]}

References

1. ^ Baltimore Sun
2. ^ CBS News
3. ^ NPR Sports

External links

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
• Most updated Baltimore Colts site
• John Mackey football cards