In celebration of the NFL Draft, we've asked the
members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to share some of their thoughts and
recollections from when they were drafted. Follow a Hall of Famer as he takes
a trip down memory lane, and relive draft history.
John
Mackey spent his entire childhood in New York. He was born in a cab on the
way to the hospital in New York City and grew up on Long Island. From the time
he was a young child, Mackey always idolized another great athlete from Long
Island – Jim
Brown. "As a kid I always said I wanted to be like Jim Brown," John stated.
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| John Mackey at the Hula Bowl |
Mackey pursued his dreams as attended Syracuse where
he earned All-America honors in two sports, just like Jim Brown had done before
him. Then, it came time for his pro football career.
Having spent his entire life in New York, Mackey always wanted to play for the
Giants. So, when the Colts drafted him in the second round (19th overall) of
the 1963 NFL Draft, Mackey was greatly disappointed.
Then, as it ended up, Mackey scored his first professional touchdown in a game
against the Giants.
After scoring the touchdown he ran to the New York sideline waving the ball
and yelling to Giants' coach Allie Sherman, "Why didn't you draft me?"
Mackey and Sherman have joked about it many times since then as Mackey went
on to become one of the most prolific tight ends in NFL history.
Hall of Famers Taken in the 1963
NFL/AFL Draft
John
Mackey, TE, Baltimore Colts - 2nd round (19th overall)
Jackie
Smith, TE, St. Louis Cardinals - 10th round (129th overall)
Buck
Buchanan, T, Dallas Texans(AFL) - 1st round (1st overall)
Bobby
Bell, LB, Dallas Texans(AFL) - 7th round (56th overall)