John Mackey Passes at age 69

Pro football tight end Hall of Famer John Mackey passed yesterday July 6, 2011.  Mackey played collegiate ball for Syracuse University and was drafted into the NFL in 1963 going 19th in the second round.   Throughout his 10 seasons in the National Football League, Mackey played for the Baltimore Colts (1963-1971) and the San Diego Chargers (1972).  During his years in the league Mackey caught 331 passes for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns and changing the views of the tight end position in football. With his impact to the tight end position in football he was the 2nd player elected to the Hall of Fame as a tight end, behind Mike Ditka (1st tight end elected to Hall of Fame).  John Mackey was the former president of the NFL Player Association and will always be remembered as maybe the greatest tight end to play the game of football.

"John Mackey was like a running back playing the tight end position...  Mackey is truly one of the greatest tight ends to play the game of football." ~Mike Ditka