Tom Mack
Encyclopedia
Thomas Lee Mack is a former left guard
for the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL
, spending all 13-years with them from 1966 to 1978. Mack was the son of a professional baseball player (Cleveland Indians' second baseman, Ray Mack
, aka Raymond James Mack [born Raymond James Mlckovsky])
, second overall, from the University of Michigan
, one of only two rookies not cut in George Allen
’s tough veteran-dominated squad.
During his rookie campaign when starter Don Chuy
was injured during the 5th game of the season, Mack moved into the lineup. He was back as the starter for 3 games after that, lost out to Ted Karras
briefly, only to reclaim the position and start for the next 12 years. Mack never missed a game through injury in his entire career, appearing in 184 consecutive contests, a streak topped only by Merlin Olsen
and Jack Youngblood
. He played next to center Ken Iman
from 1966 to 1974 and left tackle Charley Cowan from 1966 to 1975. During Mack's career with the Rams, they compiled an impressive record, with winning seasons 12 out of the 13. During this span, the Rams enjoyed a .720 winning percentage with a won-lost-tie record of 129-48-7, winning their division (and reaching the playoffs) 8 times (1967,1969,1973 to 1978) and reaching 4 NFC championship games.
In 1967, 1969, and 1973, Los Angeles lost the divisional round to the Green Bay Packers
, Minnesota Vikings
, and Dallas Cowboys
, respectively, in the 1967 NFL playoffs, the 1969 NFL playoffs, and the 1973-74 NFL playoffs. In the 1973 regular season, the Rams were especially potent, scoring the most points in the NFL: 388 points (27.7 points/game). The Rams finally won a playoff game in the 1974-75 NFL playoffs, beating the Washington Redskins
while amassing 131 yards on the ground, as Mack outplayed the opposing defensive right tackle, Diron Talbert
, but lost the NFC championship game to the Minnesota Vikings
. In 1975, they beat the St. Louis Cardinals
in the divisional round of the 1975-76 NFL playoffs, amassing a mighty 237 yards on the ground, as Mack overwhelmed the opposing defensive right tackle, Bob Rowe
, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys
in the NFC championship game. The following year, the Rams beat the Cowboys in the divisional round of the 1976-77 NFL playoffs, thanks in part to 120 rushing yards, Mack playing well against Larry Cole
, but lost the NFC championship for the third consecutive year, to the Vikings, as in 1974. The Vikings eliminated them from the playoffs for the fourth time since 1969 and second year in a row in the divisional round of the 1977-78 NFL playoffs. In Mack's final year, the Rams beat the Vikings at last in the divisional round of the 1978-79 NFL playoffs, as Mack pulverized James White (American football)
at defensive right tackle, the team gaining 200 yards on the ground, but lost the NFC championship game to the Cowboys for the second time (1975,1978). In summary, the Rams lost in the playoffs 7 times from 1969 to 1978 to only 2 teams: the Vikings (4 times) and the Cowboys (3 times), so that Mack never went to the Super Bowl
. After retiring, he was replaced by Kent Hill
in 1979.
appearance the rest of his career (1976). Mack’s 11 invitations earned him a third-place tie with Bob Lilly
and Ken Houston
for the most selections of all time. Mack was selected First-team All-Pro
four times (1969, 1971
, 1973
, 1974
) and Second-Team All-Pro 4 times (1968, 1970
, 1972
, and 1975
). In addition he was named All-NFC 8 times in 1970-1975 & 1977, 1978 and earned 2nd-Team All-NFC honors in 1976.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
in 1999.
Mack is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He is also an Eagle Scout
and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
.
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
for the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL
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...
, spending all 13-years with them from 1966 to 1978. Mack was the son of a professional baseball player (Cleveland Indians' second baseman, Ray Mack
Ray Mack
Raymond James Mack was a second baseman in Major League Baseball from 1938 to 1946 with the Cleveland Indians and in 1947 with the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs...
, aka Raymond James Mack [born Raymond James Mlckovsky])
Los Angeles Ram career
Mack was the number 1 pick of the Rams in the 1966 NFL Draft1966 NFL Draft
The 1966 National Football League Draft was held on November 27, 1965. It was the last draft in which the NFL and the AFL drafted their players separate of one another. As a result, many players selected by teams from both leagues would choose to play for the more established NFL, or in a rarer...
, second overall, from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, one of only two rookies not cut in George Allen
George Allen (football)
George Herbert Allen was an American football coach in the National Football League and the United States Football League. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.-Early life:...
’s tough veteran-dominated squad.
During his rookie campaign when starter Don Chuy
Don Chuy
Donald John Chuy is a former professional American football player who played guard for seven seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles....
was injured during the 5th game of the season, Mack moved into the lineup. He was back as the starter for 3 games after that, lost out to Ted Karras
Theodore Karras
Theodore George Karras was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for four different teams. He played college football for Indiana University. His son, Ted Karras, played for the Washington Redskins in 1987. His brother is Alex Karras....
briefly, only to reclaim the position and start for the next 12 years. Mack never missed a game through injury in his entire career, appearing in 184 consecutive contests, a streak topped only by Merlin Olsen
Merlin Olsen
Merlin Jay Olsen was an American football player in the National Football League, NFL commentator, and actor. He played his entire 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 14 of those seasons, a current record shared with Bruce Matthews...
and Jack Youngblood
Jack Youngblood
Herbert Jackson "Jack" Youngblood, III is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League for fourteen seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. He was a five-time consensus All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl...
. He played next to center Ken Iman
Ken Iman
Kenneth Charles Iman was a former center who played fifteen seasons in the National Football League with the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams from 1961 to 1975.-Playing center:...
from 1966 to 1974 and left tackle Charley Cowan from 1966 to 1975. During Mack's career with the Rams, they compiled an impressive record, with winning seasons 12 out of the 13. During this span, the Rams enjoyed a .720 winning percentage with a won-lost-tie record of 129-48-7, winning their division (and reaching the playoffs) 8 times (1967,1969,1973 to 1978) and reaching 4 NFC championship games.
In 1967, 1969, and 1973, Los Angeles lost the divisional round to the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, and Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, respectively, in the 1967 NFL playoffs, the 1969 NFL playoffs, and the 1973-74 NFL playoffs. In the 1973 regular season, the Rams were especially potent, scoring the most points in the NFL: 388 points (27.7 points/game). The Rams finally won a playoff game in the 1974-75 NFL playoffs, beating the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
while amassing 131 yards on the ground, as Mack outplayed the opposing defensive right tackle, Diron Talbert
Diron Talbert
Diron Vester Talbert is a former American football defensive end.-Football career:Talbert played college football at the University of Texas where he was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Fame in 2005....
, but lost the NFC championship game to the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
. In 1975, they beat the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in the divisional round of the 1975-76 NFL playoffs, amassing a mighty 237 yards on the ground, as Mack overwhelmed the opposing defensive right tackle, Bob Rowe
Bob Rowe
Robert J. “Bob” Rowe is a noted musical performer and recording artist. He is also well known as a crusader for residents of long term care facilities....
, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the NFC championship game. The following year, the Rams beat the Cowboys in the divisional round of the 1976-77 NFL playoffs, thanks in part to 120 rushing yards, Mack playing well against Larry Cole
Larry Cole
Larry Rudolph Cole is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League who played his entire professional career with the Dallas Cowboys. He played in five Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl VI and XII...
, but lost the NFC championship for the third consecutive year, to the Vikings, as in 1974. The Vikings eliminated them from the playoffs for the fourth time since 1969 and second year in a row in the divisional round of the 1977-78 NFL playoffs. In Mack's final year, the Rams beat the Vikings at last in the divisional round of the 1978-79 NFL playoffs, as Mack pulverized James White (American football)
James White (American football)
James C. "Duck" White is a former National Football League defensive/nose tackle who played from 1976 to 1983 for the Minnesota Vikings...
at defensive right tackle, the team gaining 200 yards on the ground, but lost the NFC championship game to the Cowboys for the second time (1975,1978). In summary, the Rams lost in the playoffs 7 times from 1969 to 1978 to only 2 teams: the Vikings (4 times) and the Cowboys (3 times), so that Mack never went to the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
. After retiring, he was replaced by Kent Hill
Kent Hill
Kent Angelo Hill is a former American football offensive lineman who played nine seasons in the National Football League, mainly for the Los Angeles Rams. He was selected to five Pro Bowls. He was selected in the first round of the 1979 NFL draft out of Georgia Tech....
in 1979.
Honors
Mack was selected to 11 Pro Bowls, the first coming after his 2nd season in 1967. He missed only one Pro BowlPro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
appearance the rest of his career (1976). Mack’s 11 invitations earned him a third-place tie with Bob Lilly
Bob Lilly
Robert Lewis Lilly is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League and photographer. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.-College career:...
and Ken Houston
Ken Houston
Kenneth Ray Houston is a former American football defensive back in the American Football League and National Football League...
for the most selections of all time. Mack was selected First-team All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
four times (1969, 1971
1971 All-Pro Team
The following is a list of players that were named to the Associated Press All-Pro Team, the Newspaper Enterprise Association All-Pro team and the Pro Football Writers Association, and Pro Football Weekly All-Pro teams in 1971. Both first- and second- teams are listed for the NEA, and PFWA teams...
, 1973
1973 All-Pro Team
The following is a list of players that were named to the Associated Press All-Pro Team, the Newspaper Enterprise Association All-Pro team and the Pro Football Writers Association, and Pro Football Weekly All-Pro teams in 1973. Both first- and second- teams are listed for the AP, NEA, and PFWA teams...
, 1974
1974 All-Pro Team
The following is a list of players that were named to the Associated Press All-Pro Team, the Newspaper Enterprise Association All-Pro team and the Pro Football Writers Association, and Pro Football Weekly All-Pro teams in 1974. Both first- and second- teams are listed for the AP, NEA, and PFWA teams...
) and Second-Team All-Pro 4 times (1968, 1970
1970 All-Pro Team
The following is a list of players that were named to the Associated Press All-Pro Team, the Newspaper Enterprise Association All-Pro team and the Pro Football Writers Association, and Pro Football Weekly All-Pro teams in 1970. Both first- and second- teams are listed for the NEA, and PFWA teams...
, 1972
1972 All-Pro Team
The following is a list of players that were named to the Associated Press All-Pro Team, the Newspaper Enterprise Association All-Pro team and the Pro Football Writers Association, and Pro Football Weekly All-Pro teams in 1972. Both first- and second- teams are listed for the AP, NEA, and PFWA teams...
, and 1975
1975 All-Pro Team
The following is a list of players that were named to the Associated Press All-Pro Team, the Newspaper Enterprise Association All-Pro team and the Pro Football Writers Association, and Pro Football Weekly All-Pro teams in 1975. Both first- and second- teams are listed for the AP, NEA, and PFWA teams...
). In addition he was named All-NFC 8 times in 1970-1975 & 1977, 1978 and earned 2nd-Team All-NFC honors in 1976.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in 1999.
Mack is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He is also an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America . It is awarded to an Eagle Scout for distinguished service in his profession and to his community for a period of at least 25 years after attaining the level of Eagle Scout...
.
External links
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
- Eagle Scout reference