Baltimore Loses Legend John Mackey

Legendary Baltimore Colts tight end John Mackey, whom many consider the best at his position to ever play in the NFL, passed away Wednesday night at the age of 69 after a 10-year battle with frontal temporal dementia.

Mackey changed the game both on and off the field, revolutionizing his position and, while serving as the president of the NFL Players Association, helped usher his fellow players into the modern era of free agency.

"He was a stud. He was the first big tight end. [Mike] Ditka was the first, but John Mackey was the one who had the speed to go along with the agility and balance," former Colts Pro Bowl running back Tom Matte told BaltimoreRavens.com. "He was such a tremendous leader, as you saw in the locker room and with the NFLPA. He was a great tight end, but a great friend too.

"John will be sorely missed."

"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," said Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome, a fellow Hall of Fame tight end.

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992, Mackey opened eyes as the first tight end to terrorize opponents as a legitimate weapon in the passing game. Standing at a burly 6-foot-2, Mackey was known for hauling in short passes and bursting downfield with smaller defenders bouncing off him.

As Mackey racked up 331 catches for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns during his 10-year career (including one season with the San Diego Chargers), other teams realized that the tight end was not just another blocker.

But Mackey also excelled there, landing crushing blocks for the likes of fellow Hall of Famer Lenny Moore during the Colts' stellar runs in the 1960s.

As further testament to his athletic ability, the Colts even used Mackey as a kickoff return specialist during his rookie season, where he averaged 30.1 yards on nine attempts.

"He had a powerful physique. He played at 212 [pounds], 215 at most, but the way he was put together, he had such tremendous power and strength," former Colts wideout and teammate Raymond Berry said on 105.7 The Fan Thursday morning. "He became a tremendous asset both in blocking and running with the football. He was an extremely effective blocker and contributed a huge amount to our running game.

"And when he caught a pass, he was so difficult to tackle. He had so much power in his legs that he made so many spectacular plays after the catch. He was the complete tight end."

A three-time All-NFL selection and five-time Pro Bowler, Mackey was actually voted as the top tight end in league history in an NFL Network poll.

The Syracuse University product was drafted by the Colts 19th overall in 1963 and he immediately made an impact by becoming the only rookie to make that year's Pro Bowl.

But perhaps his most-memorable play was a catch in the 1971 Super Bowl, when he snared a ball that was tipped twice and rumbled 75 yards for a touchdown, helping the Colts defeat the Dallas Cowboys 16-13.

"John picked that off and took off down the field," Matte recalled with a chuckle. "That put us in good shape to go ahead in that game. It really put our names in Super Bowl history during that season. John was a big part of that."

Upon his retirement, Mackey continued to make waves with the NFLPA. After the merger between the NFL and American Football League in 1970, Mackey organized a three-day strike to seek player pensions and benefits.

Then, in 1972, Mackey fought for and won the first iteration of free agency for players.

Today, during the NFL's current work-stoppage, his efforts were recognized by NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, who broke a longtime silence on Twitter.

"John Mackey is still a leader. As President of the NFLPA he led the fight for fairness with brilliance and ferocious drive," Smith tweeted. "John Mackey has inspired me and will continue to inspire our players and define our institution. He will be missed but never forgotten."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement regarding Mackey's legacy.

"John Mackey was one of the great leaders in NFL history, on and off the field," the statement read. "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. Our thoughts are with Sylvia and the Mackey family on the loss of our good friend."

Mackey's 10-year bout with dementia was well-documented, but he still continued to attend charity functions with his wife, Sylvia, up until a few years ago.

As recognition of Mackey's plight, the NFL established the "88 Plan" to offer funds to retired players who also suffered from dementia or Alzheimer's disease for nursing care. In addition, the Baltimore Colts alumni started the Fourth & Goal foundation in Mackey's honor to gain representation for retired players and advocate for improved pension and benefits.

"When we negotiated back then, we were very concerned with the guys with the '40s, '50s and '60s, and I don't think that's one of the primary concerns of the players association today," Matte said. "I think they're more concerned with the active players than going back and help out some of the old guys we're trying to help.

"Sylvia Mackey should be a spokesperson for the National Football League on behalf of the husbands and what they go through when you have to go through something like she has for these years. She is such a wonderful person and has a great outlook on life."

In addition to his wife, Mackey, a member of the Ravens Ring of Honor, is survived by his son John Kevin Mackey, daughters Lisa Mackey Hazel and Laura Mackey Nattans and six grandchildren.

He also will leave a gaping void in Baltimore football lore.

"We are tremendously saddened to hear about the passing of John Mackey, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Sylvia and the entire Mackey family," said Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti, a Maryland native and longtime Baltimore Colts fan. "I was fortunate to get to know John and Sylvia personally, and I was struck by her love and loyalty throughout the difficult times of his illness.

"John set the standard by which tight ends are measured on the field, and he will be sorely missed not only by his family, but also by the entire Baltimore community."