The world lost a great union activist today. His name was John Mackey and he played in the NFL

[Stinky The Clown]

He was a Baltimore Colt from '63 to '71. He has all the accolades and all the rings. His called his the greatest tight end to ever play the game.

John died way too young as a result of dementia.

That dementia was likely the result of his football years. A few too many shots to the noggin is no laughing matter. He played back when the biggest pros often had to get jobs in the off season selling cars or gladhanding for some company or other. Big salaries and big pensions were still in the future for guys who played when he did.

John, in 1970, was the first head of the Player's Union. He worked with the NFL Players Union to get the 88 Rule (named for his jersey number) to fund some help for those of his era who were confined to nursing homes or who needed assistance at home. He helped shine a light on the danger of head knocks. He made things better for the guys playing now.

John Mackey defined the position of tight end. But he accomplished so much more and so much that is truly meaningful. He was a union guy. A union leader. A man who worked for the betterment of his union brothers. Today's Times has a good article. I hope you'll read it: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/sports/football/john-mackey-dies-at-69-helped-revolutionize-nfl.html

I'm not much of a football fan, but I stand and applaud this man.

John Mackey, 1941-2011, with his wife in a fairly recent photo.

[tularetom]

1. Another link with my youth gone

M dad was a diehard Baltimore Colts fan. Although he was born in Oklahoma and spent most of his adult life in California, he always followed the Colts and when he retired, he and my mom moved to MD where my mom had some cousins. He bought season tickets but after 2 or 3 years, the owner packed up in the middle of the night and moved the team to Indianapolis.

Anyway, John Mackey was one of his heroes. I was gone from the house when he played for the Colts but I can remember him raving about Unitas to Mackey touchdowns over the phone.

I was born the same year as John Mackey yet somehow it seemed as though he was much older. Long after his retirement I recall reading and admiring his activism on the part of retired NFL players who wound up with costly and painful medical conditions as a result of their football injuries.

I'm kind of sad and nostalgic tonight. My dad has been gone almost ten years now and reading this reminded me of him.

Safe home, John Mackey. Safe home, dad.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. THe Hall of Fame ceremony for Mackey's "class" was in Indinapolis. Mackey refused to go. He said . .

. . . he'd rather get the award at a Baltimore bar over beer and crabs than go to Indianpolis.

His award ceremony was moved to an exhibition game at Baltimore's (now gone) Memorial Stadium.

The Baltimore Ravens recently inducted him into their Hall of Fame, too.

Peace to your Dad. I understand how these kinds of events trigger our personal thoughts of those we miss so much.

:hug:

[Elwood P Dowd]

2. Sad.

He was the best!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

3. K&R

[WillyT]

4. K & R !!!

:patriot:

:kick:

[oxymoron]

6. K&R