John Mackey, the rugged Hall of Fame tight end and union president who later fought for stronger health benefits of retired players and struggled with dementia, has died. He was 69.

NFL Films has put together a video tribute to Mackey, which we’d highly recommend. UPDATE: The Ravens released a pair of statements. From owner Steve Biscotti: “We are tremendously saddened to hear ...

BALTIMORE (AP) — John Mackey revolutionized the tight end position, his incomparable ability to catch passes off the line of scrimmage helping to usher the NFL into the pass-happy modern era.

Bill Belichick, Cris Collinsworth and Rich Eisen introduce former Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers tight end John Mackey to the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

"John Mackey was one of the great leaders in NFL history, on and off the field," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "He was a Hall of Fame player who redefined the tight end position.

But these days, John Mackey is a shadow of the man who had such an impact on football during his ten year career – a career in which he was tackled hundreds of times and sustained a concussion ...

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke at the memorial and he summed up the impact of the man they all came to honor. “John Mackey,” he said, “changed the game of football.” ...

Orange Football John Mackey, Syracuse football great and Pro Football Hall of Fame member, dies at age 69 Updated: Sep. 15, 2023, 3:43 p.m. | Published: Jul. 07, 2011 ...

John Mackey’s legacy lies less on the field, than in both his historic tenure as the head of the NFL Players Association from 1969–73 and in the way he suffered from front temporal dementia ...

He stepped out. He was willing to be different.” “John Mackey was one of the great leaders in NFL history, on and off the field,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.

Browns John Mackey changed the NFL through is play on the field and his illness off of it Updated: Jul. 10, 2011, 5:15 a.m. | Published: Jul. 10, 2011, 4:15 a.m.