Jacque MacKinnon
Encyclopedia
Jacque Harold MacKinnon was an American college and professional Football
receiver. A tight end
, he played collegiately for Colgate University
, and professionally for the American Football League
's San Diego Chargers
from 1961 through 1969. He also played one year for the National Football League
's Oakland Raiders
. He was on the Chargers' 1963 AFL Championship
team in their victory over the Boston Patriots
. He was an AFL All-Star
in 1966 and 1968. As the last player selected in the 1961 NFL Draft
, he was designated Mr. Irrelevant
, however, he is the only such player ever to be eventually selected as an All-Star.
MacKinnon was out of football when he died in 1975. He had jumped over a tall fence, not knowing about the construction site on the other side. MacKinnon fell some 30 feet and died of injuries caused by the fall.
Professional football
In the United States and Canada, the term professional football includes the professional forms of American and Canadian gridiron football. In common usage, it refers to former and existing major football leagues in either country...
receiver. A tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, he played collegiately for Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
, and professionally for the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
's San Diego Chargers
History of the San Diego Chargers
This article details the history of the San Diego Chargers American Football Club.-The AFL era :The San Diego Chargers were established in 1959 with seven other American Football League teams: the Denver Broncos, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders, New York Titans, Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills, and...
from 1961 through 1969. He also played one year for the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was on the Chargers' 1963 AFL Championship
Professional American football championship games
Below is a list of professional football championship games in the United States, involving:* the informal Pittsburgh circuit of professional football teams ;...
team in their victory over the Boston Patriots
History of the New England Patriots
The History of the New England Patriots began when Boston business executive Billy Sullivan was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League on November 16, 1959. The following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football team's official...
. He was an AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
in 1966 and 1968. As the last player selected in the 1961 NFL Draft
1961 NFL Draft
The 1961 National Football League Draft took place on December 27–28, 1960. The league would later hold an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings expansion franchise, and the Vikings were also awarded the first selection position in this draft. This draft was also the first regular draft for...
, he was designated Mr. Irrelevant
Mr. Irrelevant
"Mr. Irrelevant" is the title bestowed each year upon the last pick of the annual National Football League draft.- Irrelevant Week :The name arose in 1976, when former Southern California and NFL receiver Paul Salata founded "Irrelevant Week" in Newport Beach, California. He announced the final...
, however, he is the only such player ever to be eventually selected as an All-Star.
MacKinnon was out of football when he died in 1975. He had jumped over a tall fence, not knowing about the construction site on the other side. MacKinnon fell some 30 feet and died of injuries caused by the fall.