NJTank Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Just heard on Mike and Mike, legendary TE John Mackey has died. Besides being one of the first Tigth Ends in Hall of Fame, he was a pioneer for the NFLPA. www.sportsecyclopedia.com For the best in sports history go to the Sports E-Cyclopedia at http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopard88 Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Dislike.He was certainly a pioneer . . . both at the TE position and with the NFLPA. His condition in his later years was very sad to see. Most Liked Content of the Day -- February 15, 2017, August 21, 2017, August 22, 2017 ///// Proud Winner of the CCSLC Post of the Day Award -- April 8, 2008 Originator of the Upside Down Sarcasm Smilie -- November 1, 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmoehrin Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Saw them rerun a segment on Sportscenter they did back a few years back. His mind was totally gone. They were saying he would forget things he did 10 minutes ago on a regular basis. Had no memory of his HOF speech, seem to barely even know that he was in the HOF. Don't think it was long after that either were he was forced to live out the rest of his life in a nursing home. His wife was saying how happy she was with him, but I don't care who you are, how much you love the person, or how much patience you have, its gotta wear on you after awhile. They don't know what they are doing wrong and you can't explain it to them. Anyone who's had to deal with something like that can attest to how frustrating that can be.About the only good thing to come out of it was that his condition helped the union and the league notice and give attention to the long term effects football can have on your brain and has and will help people including Mackey get the medical care they need(ed) long after their playing days are over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winghaz Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 I'm one of the few in here who remembers watching him play for the Colts. He was as good a tight end as there ever was. John Mackey made Johnny Unitas look even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbreadmann Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Why couldn't it have been John Lackey?*hides* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTank Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 John Mackey was key in getting retired players some benefits from the league, its a shame how he deteriorated late in life. The interview they showed on ESPN a few years ago was sad how he would keep forgetting what he said only a few minutes earlier. www.sportsecyclopedia.com For the best in sports history go to the Sports E-Cyclopedia at http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drakonius26 Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Yeah, they ran that segment on ESPN yesterday about how John Mackey's mind was gone, but it seemed his body was still intact. It's rather a shame and hopefully the Ravens/Colts will do a classy tribute in his honor this coming season. Rest In Peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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