BALTIMORE, MD (AP) -- SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Orange football family has lost one of its most beloved figures. Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey died on Wednesday. He was 69 years-old and had battled dementia for several years.
Often credited with redefining the position, Mackey was one of the first great receiving tight ends. Playing in an era when most tight ends were viewed as additional offensive tackles, Mackey's breakaway speed and soft hands made him a top target in the passing game.
"The Syracuse football family lost a very special person last night when John Mackey passed away after a long illness," Orange head coach #Doug Marrone# said. "Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to his family and especially to his wife, Sylvia."
"John Mackey's passing is extremely difficult news for all of us," added SU Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross. "John was a true hero, an icon, and a leader in the world. Our hearts go out to his lovely wife, Sylvia, and his family. His impact on Syracuse will never be forgotten as his legacy will last forever. We salute and celebrate John's amazing life, as he has touched us all. God bless John Mackey."
Mackey played three seasons for the Orange (1960-62) and caught 27 passes for 481 yards and six touchdowns. As a junior, he totaled 15 receptions for a then school-record 321 yards and was a key contributor in Syracuse's 1961 Liberty Bowl triumph, catching four passes in a 15-14 victory against Miami.
Following his collegiate career, Mackey was selected by the Baltimore Colts with the 19th pick in the 1963 NFL Draft. He spent nine years with the Colts before finishing his career with the San Diego Chargers in 1972.
In 10 NFL seasons, Mackey caught 331 passes for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and played in two Super Bowls with Baltimore, winning one in 1971. Mackey caught at least 40 passes for four consecutive years from 1965 to 1968. His best professional campaign was the 1966 season when he made 50 receptions and established career highs for receiving yards (829) and touchdowns (9).
Mackey was rewarded for his outstanding career in 1992 when he became the second tight end to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mackey remained a leader in professional football after his playing days, serving as president of the NFL Players Association where he took up the fight for improved free agency rights for players.
"John was the perfect role model for Syracuse football student-athletes," Marrone said. "He was a larger-than-life man and he influenced so many people. Many consider him the greatest tight end in NFL history and he was a pioneer in the development in the NFL Players Association."
In retirement, Mackey suffered from dementia and the cost of his care was much higher than his monthly pension. The NFL and players' union recognized his struggle and created the "88 Plan" -- named for Mackey's jersey number -- to help defray the cost of care for retired players living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Mackey made several trips to the Carrier Dome for Orange home games over the years, but those appearances became less frequent as his condition worsened. One of his last visits was on Sept. 15, 2007 when Syracuse University retired his No. 88 jersey in a halftime ceremony against Illinois.
College football still recognizes the contributions Mackey made to the game. Every year since 2001, the Nassau County Sports Commission has presented the John Mackey Award to the nation's most outstanding tight end.
**Courtesy SU Athletics**
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John Mackey, the rugged Hall of Fame tight end and union president who later fought for stronger health benefits of retired players and struggled with dementia, has died. He was 69.
Mackey's wife notified the team about her husband's death, Baltimore Ravens spokesman Chad Steele said Thursday. No official cause was given.
Mackey played for the Baltimore Colts from 1963-71, and helped the team beat the Dallas Cowboys in the 1971 Super Bowl by catching a pass from Johnny Unitas after it deflected off two other players for a 75-yard touchdown.
He also played for the San Diego Chargers in 1972, and finished his 10-year career with 331 catches for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Mackey's efforts after his playing days were just as important as his performance on the field. An NFL labor agreement ratified in 2006 includes the "88 Plan," named for Mackey's number, 88. It provides up to $88,000 a year for nursing care or day care for ex-players with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or $50,000 for home care.
"John Mackey is still our leader. As the president of the NFLPA, he led the fight for fairness with a brilliance and with ferocious drive," union executive director DeMaurice Smith said. "His passion continues to define our organization and inspire our players. His unwavering loyalty to our mission and his exemplary courage will never be forgotten."
The health care of former players has become a prominent issue in the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. An NFL lockout has been going on since March.
"John Mackey was one of the great leaders in NFL history, on and off the field," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "He was a Hall of Fame player who redefined the tight end position. He was a courageous advocate for his fellow NFL players as head of the NFL Players Association. He worked closely with our office on many issues through the years, including serving as the first president of the NFL Youth Football Fund. He never stopped fighting the good fight."
Mackey was drafted in 1963 out of Syracuse - by the NFL's Baltimore Colts in the second round, and the AFL's New York Jets in the fifth round.
He wound up playing for the Colts just as the passing game was taking on a major role in pro football. His size, speed and ability to catch the ball while also blocking in the running game made him the prototype for future generations of tight ends.
"John revolutionized the tight end position during his Hall of Fame career, and he laid the foundation on and off the field for modern NFL players," Ravens general manager and fellow Hall of Fame tight end said.
He caught 35 passes for 726 yards as a rookie in 1963, when he was selected to the first of five Pro Bowls. He also was voted first-team All-Pro by The Associated Press in 1966, '67 and '68.
Mackey helped the Colts beat the Dallas Cowboys in the '71 Super Bowl. His touchdown on a 75-yard pass play helped set the stage for a 16-13 win on Jim O'Brien's 32-yard field goal in the closing seconds.
After he retired, Mackey joined Mike Ditka as the first tight ends selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The John Mackey Award was established to honor the nation's top college football tight end, and Syracuse retired his number in 2007.
"John was the perfect role model for Syracuse football student-athletes," Syracuse coach and former NFL player Doug Marrone said. "He was a larger-than-life man and he influenced so many people. Many consider him the greatest tight end in NFL history and he was a pioneer in the development in the NFL Players Association."
Mackey has become closely associated with the plight of many former players who helped build the NFL in the era before million-dollar contracts, safer equipment and better health care.
He suffered from frontotemporal dementia in later years that is believed to have been caused by the contact associated with playing football. Four years ago, the dementia forced Mackey into living in an assisted-living facility.
The costs associated with his care, which far outpaced Mackey's pension, led to the "88 Plan" for retired players. Now, former players are pushing for better pension plans and health benefits from the league.
"John Mackey has inspired me and will continue to inspire our players," Smith posted on Twitter. "He will be missed but never forgotten."
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