Mike McCormack (American football) facts for kids
McCormack in 1973
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | June 21, 1930 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Died: | November 15, 2013 (aged 83) Palm Desert, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 246 lb (112 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Kansas City (MO) De LaSalle | ||||
| College: | Kansas | ||||
| NFL Draft: | 1951 / Round: 3 / Pick: 34 | ||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Michael Joseph McCormack Jr. (born June 21, 1930 – died November 15, 2013) was an important person in American football. He was a player, a coach, and an executive in the National Football League (NFL). McCormack played as an offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns from 1954 to 1962. Later, he became the head coach for teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks. In 1984, he was honored by being chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Playing Career Highlights
Mike McCormack played college football at the University of Kansas. He was chosen by the New York Yanks in the 1951 NFL draft. After his first season, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. While he was away, his team, the Yanks, moved to Dallas and became the Texans, but they stopped playing after just one year.
When McCormack returned in 1954, he found his team was gone. He became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team. The Baltimore Colts quickly signed him. However, the Cleveland Browns coach, Paul Brown, remembered McCormack's skills. He traded for McCormack to bring him to the Browns.
Becoming an NFL Champion
In his first year with the Browns in 1954, McCormack played on the defensive line. He helped his team win the NFL Championship. The next year, he moved to play offensive tackle. This position is very important for protecting the quarterback and helping running backs gain yards. He helped the Browns win another NFL title in 1955.
McCormack played a big part in helping the famous running back Jim Brown become one of the best players ever. McCormack was chosen for the Pro Bowl six times during his career. The Pro Bowl is an all-star game for the best players in the NFL.
A Legendary Player
Paul Brown, the famous coach of the Cleveland Browns, said that Mike McCormack was "the finest offensive tackle who ever played pro football." He also said McCormack was the best offensive lineman he ever coached. McCormack was known for his strength, intelligence, and speed on the field. Other players and executives said he often played perfect games, making no mistakes.
Coaching in the NFL
After his playing career ended in 1962, Mike McCormack started coaching. He worked as an assistant coach for the Washington Redskins for eight seasons, from 1965 to 1972. An assistant coach helps the head coach with different parts of the team, like offense or defense.
Leading the Eagles and Colts
In 1973, McCormack became the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. A head coach is in charge of the entire team. The Eagles had not had a winning season in a while. McCormack coached them for three seasons before moving on.
He then spent four years as an offensive line coach for the Cincinnati Bengals. In 1980, he became the head coach of the Baltimore Colts. McCormack wanted to be a great teacher, like his mentor Paul Brown. He tried his best to lead the team.
Administrative Roles
In 1982, McCormack joined the Seattle Seahawks. He became their president and general manager. A general manager is in charge of signing players, making trades, and managing the team's roster. During a player strike that year, McCormack also stepped in as the interim head coach for a short time. He led the Seahawks to a winning record during that period.
After that, he went back to his management role and decided not to be a head coach again. In 1989, he left the Seahawks.
Building the Carolina Panthers
Later, McCormack helped Jerry Richardson and his group create a new NFL team in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1993, he was hired as the first team president and general manager for the new Carolina Panthers. The Panthers played their first season in 1995. McCormack retired from the Panthers in 1997. The team honored him by putting up a monument in their stadium.
Later Life and Legacy
Mike McCormack passed away in 2013 at the age of 83. He died from heart failure in Palm Desert, California. McCormack is remembered as a great player, coach, and executive who made a lasting impact on the NFL. He is honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor.
See also
- List of American Football League players
