John Mackey (American football)

Infobox NFLretired


name=John Mackey
|caption=
position=Tight End
number=88
birthdate=birth date and age|1941|9|24
New York City, New York
debutyear=1963
finalyear=1972
draftyear=1963
draftround=2
draftpick=19
college=Syracuse
teams=
* Baltimore Colts (1963-1971)
* San Diego Chargers (1972)
stat1label=Receptions
stat1value=331
stat2label=Receiving Yards
stat2value=5,236
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=38
nfl=MAC524568
highlights=
* 5x Pro Bowl selection (1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968)
* 3x All-Pro selection (1966, 1967, 1968)
* NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
HOF=138
CollegeHOF=

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 starred collegiately at Syracuse University.

Career statistics

In 1963, Mackey joined 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.

uper 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. The Colts 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-A 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.

Post-football career 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. [ [http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.steele29jan29,0,5792473.column?track=rss Baltimore Sun] ]

References

External links

*"Pro Football Hall of Fame:" [http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=138 Member profile]
* [http://www.baltimorecoltsmania.com Most updated Baltimore Colts site]
* [http://www.footballcardgallery.com/player/John+Mackey/ John Mackey football cards]