John Mackey (American football)
John Mackey (born September 24, 1941, New York, 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 at Syracuse University, where his nephew Jerry Mackey is currently a linebacker. In 1963, he joined The Baltimore Colts and by 1966 had revolutionized the position of Tight End in the NFL. That season, of the 9 touchdowns he compiled, 6 were scores of over 50 yards, and her served as one of Johnny Unitas' Prime receivers. Twice he compiled season averages of more than 20 yards per catch and his 10-year career average of 15.8 was remarkable for a tight end.
A five-time Pro Bowl choice and member of 2 Super Bowl teams (one winner), Mackey was voted the Tight End on the NFL's 50th Anniversary Team in 1969. In his 10 NFL seasons, he recorded 331 receptions for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns.
In Super Bowl V on january 17 1971, Mackey made one of 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 was tipped by defensive back Mel Renfro before falling into Mackey's arms. After the catch, he took the ball all the way to the end zone for a Super Bowl record 75-yard touchdown reception, and the Colts won the game 16-13.
In 1992, he became the second Pure Tight End to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Mike Ditka was the first one 4 years earlier.
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.
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External links
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
- Most updated Baltimore Colts site