Mack Herron
Encyclopedia
Mack W. Herron is a former professional American football
running back
who played in the National Football League
from 1973 to 1976, most notably for the New England Patriots
. He played college football at Kansas State
.
in the sixth round of the 1970 NFL Draft
, but joined the Canadian Football League
out of college.
In 1972, while playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
, he won the Eddie James Memorial Trophy
for being the leading rusher in the CFL's West Division
.
He stepped into the NFL spotlight in 1973, after a short but memorable career in the CFL
, when he joined the Patriots. In three seasons, (3 with New England and 1 with the Atlanta Falcons
) he gained 1,298 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 61 passes in his career for 789 yards and 6 touchdowns.
After leading the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage in 1973, Herron's best season was 1974 with the Patriots, when he set the then-NFL record for all-purpose yards with 2,444. He remains 16th all time in career punt return average and 86th in kickoff return average.
Herron, now 62, is a devout Muslim who does not drink or smoke, but has been arrested some 20 times and served jail time, mainly on drug convictions, according to Chicago Police.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
who played in 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...
from 1973 to 1976, most notably for the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. He played college football at Kansas State
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
.
History
Standing 5 feet, 5½ inches and weighing in at a slim 170 lbs, Herron was selected by the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the sixth round of the 1970 NFL Draft
1970 NFL Draft
The 1970 National Football League Draft was held on January 27–28, 1970.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
, but joined the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
out of college.
In 1972, while playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
, he won the Eddie James Memorial Trophy
Eddie James Memorial Trophy
The Eddie James Memorial Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, awarded to the leading rusher in the West Division. Unlike other CFL trophies, there is no equivalent for the East Division....
for being the leading rusher in the CFL's West Division
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
.
He stepped into the NFL spotlight in 1973, after a short but memorable career in the CFL
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
, when he joined the Patriots. In three seasons, (3 with New England and 1 with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) he gained 1,298 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 61 passes in his career for 789 yards and 6 touchdowns.
After leading the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage in 1973, Herron's best season was 1974 with the Patriots, when he set the then-NFL record for all-purpose yards with 2,444. He remains 16th all time in career punt return average and 86th in kickoff return average.
Herron, now 62, is a devout Muslim who does not drink or smoke, but has been arrested some 20 times and served jail time, mainly on drug convictions, according to Chicago Police.