Ben Mayes facts for kids

Benjamin Clayton Mayes (born March 16, 1945 – died December 15, 1988) was an American football player. He played as a defensive end and defensive tackle. Ben Mayes played for the Houston Oilers in the American Football League. He also played for the Jacksonville Sharks and the Portland Storm in the World Football League. Before playing professionally, he was a college football player at Drake University.

College Football Journey

Ben Mayes played college football for the Drake Bulldogs. He was part of their team from 1964 to 1968. During his first two years, he was "redshirted." This means he practiced with the team but did not play in games. This allowed him to train and develop his skills.

Professional Football Career

After college, Ben Mayes went on to play professional football. He played for teams in two different leagues.

Playing for the Houston Oilers

In 1969, Ben Mayes was chosen by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. The draft is where professional teams pick new players. However, he decided to sign with the Houston Oilers instead. The Oilers were part of the American Football League (AFL). He played five games for the Oilers as a defensive end.

Joining the Jacksonville Sharks

Later, in 1974, Ben Mayes joined a new league called the World Football League (WFL). He signed with the Jacksonville Sharks. For the Sharks, he played both defensive end and right defensive tackle. These positions are important for stopping the opposing team's offense.

Moving to the Portland Storm

The Jacksonville Sharks team stopped playing during the 1974 season. This is called "folding." After the Sharks folded, Ben Mayes joined another WFL team. He moved to the Portland Storm, where he continued to play as a defensive end.

Later Life and Passing

Ben Mayes passed away on December 15, 1988. He was 43 years old. He died in St. Petersburg, Florida, the same city where he was born.