Mike McCormack

June 21, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, Michael Joseph "Mike" McCormack Jr. carved out a distinguished career in professional football, earning Hall of Fame honors as an offensive tackle and later contributing as a coach and executive.  

College Career:

McCormack played college football at the University of Kansas from 1948 to 1950. A standout offensive lineman, he earned First-team All-Big Seven honors in his senior year and served as co-captain of the 1950 Jayhawks team. His performance at Kansas laid the groundwork for his successful professional career.  

Road to the Pro Game:

McCormack was drafted in the third round (34th overall) of the 1951 NFL Draft by the New York Yanks. As a rookie, he quickly earned the starting right tackle position and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. However, his career was interrupted by military service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. While serving, his rights were traded to the Baltimore Colts, who then traded him to the Cleveland Browns in a significant 15-player deal in 1953.  

Football Legacy:

McCormack joined the Cleveland Browns in 1954 and became a cornerstone of their offensive line for nine seasons (1954-1962). Initially playing middle guard on defense due to team needs, he famously forced a fumble in the 1954 NFL Championship game, contributing to the Browns' victory. He then transitioned to offensive right tackle, where he solidified his reputation as one of the finest linemen in the game. Renowned for his intelligence, intensity, and blocking prowess, McCormack was a key protector for quarterback Otto Graham and a dominant run blocker for the legendary Jim Brown. He helped the Browns win NFL Championships in 1954 and 1955 and earned six Pro Bowl selections and multiple All-Pro honors. Legendary Browns coach Paul Brown considered McCormack the "finest offensive tackle who ever played pro football." McCormack's leadership was also evident as he served as a Browns team captain. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984. Following his playing career, McCormack transitioned to coaching, serving as an assistant for several teams, including the Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals, and as a head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Colts, and Seattle Seahawks. He later served as the President and General Manager of the Seattle Seahawks and played a crucial role in the Carolina Panthers' expansion process, becoming their first President.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ 2x NFL Champion (1954, 1955)  

✦ 6x Pro Bowl (1951, 1956, 1957, 1960-1962)  

✦ 9x All-Pro selections  

✦ First-team All-Big Seven (1950)  

✦ Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1984)  

✦ -Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor (as executive)

✦ NFL Career Stats: 119 games played

Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com