John Mackey
Before the modern era of hybrid tight ends, there was John Mackey — a trailblazer who turned the position into a serious offensive threat. Drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1963, Mackey’s rare mix of size, speed and strength made defenses rethink how to cover tight ends.
A Syracuse graduate, John Mackey was drafted 19th overall by the Baltimore Colts in 1963. In 10 NFL seasons (nine with Baltimore, one with San Diego), he recorded 331 receptions for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns. A three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, Mackey revolutionized the tight end position as one of the first to combine size, strength, and speed, transforming the role from a blocking-focused position into a legitimate deep-threat weapon.
Beyond his impact on the field, John Mackey made history off it as the first president of the NFL Players Association. He led the charge in legal action that overturned the restrictive Rozelle Rule, a major victory that expanded NFL players’ rights and free agency across the league. Mackey’s influence was so enduring that he was named to both the NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team (1969) and the NFL 100th Anniversary Team (2019). His legacy was sealed with his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 1992, honoring a career that transformed the tight end position and advanced the modern NFL.
Image Gallery of John Mackey, Tight End 1963-1972
John Mackey Football Trading Cards
John Mackey All Time Career Statistics
| Season | Age | Team | Pos | # | Games | Starts | Catches | Yards | Y/R | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963* | 22 | BAL | TE | 88 | 14 | 14 | 35 | 726 | 20.7 | 61 | 7 |
| 1964 | 23 | BAL | TE | 88 | 14 | 14 | 22 | 406 | 18.5 | 62 | 2 |
| 1965* | 24 | BAL | TE | 88 | 14 | 14 | 40 | 814 | 20.4 | 68 | 7 |
| 1966*+ | 25 | BAL | TE | 88 | 14 | 14 | 50 | 829 | 16.6 | 89 | 9 |
| 1967*+ | 26 | BAL | TE | 88 | 14 | 14 | 55 | 686 | 12.5 | 34 | 3 |
| 1968*+ | 27 | BAL♚ | TE | 88 | 14 | 14 | 45 | 644 | 14.3 | 45 | 5 |
| 1969 | 28 | BAL | TE | 88 | 14 | 14 | 34 | 443 | 13.0 | 52 | 2 |
| 1970 | 29 | BAL | TE | 88 | 14 | 11 | 28 | 435 | 15.5 | 54 | 3 |
| 1971 | 30 | BAL | TE | 88 | 14 | 5 | 11 | 143 | 13.0 | 28 | 0 |
| 1972 | 31 | SDG | TE | 89 | 13 | 4 | 11 | 110 | 10.0 | 21 | 0 |
| 9 seasons Colts | 126 | 114 | 320 | 5126 | 16.0 | 89 | 38 | ||||
| 1 season Chargers | 13 | 4 | 11 | 110 | 10.0 | 21 | 0 | ||||
| 10 Year NFL Career | 139 | 118 | 331 | 5236 | 15.8 | 89 | 38 | ||||
| Season | Age | Team | Games | Catches | Yards | Y/R | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 23 | BAL | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1965* | 24 | BAL | 1 | 3 | 25 | 8.3 | 16 | 0 |
| 1968*+ | 27 | BAL♚ | 3 | 8 | 161 | 20.1 | 49 | 1 |
| 1970 | 29 | BAL | 3 | 4 | 102 | 25.5 | 75 | 1 |
| 1971 | 30 | BAL | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 6 | 0 |
| Post Season Totals | 10 | 17 | 296 | 17.4 | 75 | 2 | ||
| Season | Age | Team | Pos | Games | Kick Returns | Yards | Y/Ret | Long | KRTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963* | 22 | BAL | TE | 14 | 9 | 271 | 30.1 | 41 | 0 |
- + – NFL All Pro Selection
- * – NFL Pro Bowl Selection
- ♚ – NFL Champion
