NFL Hall of Famer Mackey dies at 69

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BALTIMORE, Maryland — John Mackey, a Hall of Fame tight end for the 1971 Super Bowl champion Baltimore Colts and a former NFL union president, has died at age 69, his family said Thursday.

Mackey, who died Wednesday night after a 10-year struggle with dementia, played for the Baltimore Colts from 1963 through 1971 and finished his career with San Diego in 1972.

Mackey caught 331 passes for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns, his biggest of them a 75-yard grab of a deflected pass from fellow Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas for a touchdown in the fifth Super Bowl to help the Colts defeat Dallas.

Off the field, Mackey became a major figure in negotiating for players with NFL officials for benefits for players, a union-management deal agreed upon in 2006 being dubbed the "88 Plan" after Mackey's jersey number.

"John Mackey was one of the great leaders in NFL history, on and off the field," NFL 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... He never stopped fighting the good fight."

His death comes as NFL and union leaders talk in hopes of reaching a new collective bargaining agreement to end an ongoing lockout of players by owners.

"John Mackey is still our leader," said NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith.

"As the president of the NFLPA, he led the fight for fairness with a brilliance and with ferocious drive. 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."

Mackey featured a powerful combination of size and speed as well as reception skills that became the prototype for the blocking or reception threat his position has evolved into in the modern NFL.
"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 Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, also a Hall of Fame tight end.