50 greatest NFL players of all-time

Without a doubt, John Mackey was one of the greatest tight ends this game has ever seen. While I wouldn’t go as far as crowning him the top player at his position (more on the owner of that designation later), I will say that he was a game-changer for generations of tight ends after him.

Back in the early AFL/NFL days, the tight end wasn’t exactly known as an explosive weapon in the passing game. Most were glorified blockers, who occasionally made an appearance or two as receivers. When it came to Mackey though, he was a dangerous weapon that Johnny Unitas tapped into repeatedly.

His outstanding play resulted in five Pro Bowls, three All-Pro selections and two AFL championships. Most of his time with the Baltimore Colts was spent serving as Unitas’ go-to target across the middle, with a healthy dose of quality blocking in there for good measure.

Now Mackey didn’t go breaking a ton of records, and you won’t find his name atop the list of most productive tight ends in NFL history. However, what he did for the tight end position and the way he changed the dynamic of the role made him a key cog in football’s evolution as a sport.

The crazy part is that, considering his skill set, Mackey would probably still be a star today.