A Hall of Famer and was also once a president of the NFL Players Association, John Mackey, struggled with dementia and passed away at 69.

The spokesman of the Baltimore Ravens, Chad Steele, said that Mackey’s wife was the one who notified them of her husband’s death. The official cause of death was not yet given or released.

John Mackey played for the Baltimore Colts for eight long years, and that is from 1963 to 1971. After playing for the Baltimore Colts, he then played with the San Diego Chargers for just a year right after his Baltimore Colts years. And during his 10 years of playing he has caught 331 passes for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns.

There is an NFL labor agreement in 2006 that is called the 88 Plan. This program is said to be named after Mackey’s number, 88. This plan is very good since it includes $88,000 every year for nursing care or day care for ex-players, especially those who are diagnosed with dementia, like Mackey, or Alzheimer’s disease, or $50,000 for home care assistance.

Although the 88 Plan is one very good project, the health care for former players is actually one of the most prominent issues in the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. This is really one of the most talked-about these days. In fact, an NFL Lockout has been going on since March.

Jon Mackey was drafted in 1963 from Syracuse by the NFL’s Baltimore Colts during the second round, and the AFL’s New York Jets in the fifth round.

He, obviously, played for the Colts for most of his career and his size, his speed, and, of course, his ability to catch the ball while also blocking in the running game, this made him the prototype for the future generations.

Mackey caught 35 passes for 726 yards as a new player in his early games or first year. This was also why he was selected to the first of five Pro Bowls. Another citation that Mackey can be proud of was when he was voted first-team All-Pro by the Association Press, nonetheless, in 1966, and also in 1967 and 1968.

Another highlight in John Mackey’s life or career was when he helped the Colts beat the Dallas Cowboys in 1971 Super Bowl. Baltimore emerged as winner16-13 or Jim O’Brien’s 32 years in field goal which happened during the closing seconds.

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