Mackey was only the second player who performed strictly as a tight end to become a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mackey was only the second player who performed strictly as a tight end to become a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mackey was a durable performer who missed only one game in 10 years.
The 6-2, 224-pound Syracuse University star joined the Baltimore Colts as a No. 2 draft pick in 1963.
John played nine seasons with the Colts and then finished his 10-year career with the San Diego Chargers in 1972.
In 10 seasons, Mackey caught 331 passes for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Mackey started every game as a rookie and then became the only first-year star to be picked for that year's Pro Bowl.
As a rookie, John caught 35 passes for 726 yards and a career high 20.7-yard average.
John Mackey was enshrined in 1992.
John with his bust and mural in 1992.
John Mackey's Hall of Fame mural.
John Mackey's bust at the Hall of Fame.