R.I.P. John Mackey

[jeffx]

The man who revolutionized the tight end position died at age 69 from frontotemporal dementia.

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Too many hits ?

BTW Im convinced that every probowl caliber tight end since mackey has been dubbed "revolutionary" at some point.

[Senser81]

BTW Im convinced that every probowl caliber tight end since mackey has been dubbed "revolutionary" at some point.

This is true. I do think Mackey was "revolutionary", though. He is still one of the only TEs in NFL history to lead a Super Bowl team in receptions. Ron Kramer was the first true TE, but I think the early 60's guys like Ditka, Jackie Smith, and John Mackey showed that the TE could be a big part of a team's passing offense. Mackey was the biggest TE of his era, and he was also one of the fastest. He showed that you can put a great, large athlete at TE and still utilize him.