Born January 6, 1956, in Portland, Oregon, was Notre Dame College Football Hall of Fame Tight End, Ken MacAfee. Ken had some very good traits as a tight end. He was a dominant blocker and also had a great set of hands to catch passes with. MacAfee was an All-America selection three times. He added the Academic All-America title to his resume in 1977, as he also won the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and was third in the Heisman Trophy vote. That year, he caught 54 passes for 797 yards and six touchdowns. It is no wonder that the fighting Irish also won the National Championship that season! The National Football Foundation honored Ken MacAfee with entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
Football History
Ken MacAfee - ND HOF Tight End Extraordinaire
The 1922 Rose Bowl
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The Tight End Who Walked Away
Kenneth Adams MacAfee II wasn't your typical NFL superstar. His story isn't one of touchdowns and endorsements, but a rare tale of talent sacrificed for passion, woven into the fabric of both Notre Dame and the San Francisco 49ers.
MacAfee was a legend at Notre Dame. A three-time All-American, he dominated defenses with a blend of power and grace, nicknamed "The Golden Hammer" for his punishing blocks and acrobatic receptions. He anchored the 1977 national championship team and seemed destined for NFL stardom.
Yet, when the San Francisco 49ers drafted him seventh overall in 1978, a twist of fate awaited. While he struggled to adapt to the pro game, a different dream simmered beneath the surface – dentistry. This wasn't a whim; it was a lifelong passion, nurtured alongside his football prowess.
His NFL career remained respectable, but the whispers of the dental lab grew louder. In 1983, after two seasons with the 49ers, MacAfee made a decision that shook the football world. He traded the roar of the stadium for the hum of drills, walking away from his NFL career to pursue dentistry full-time.
The choice sparked debate. Some saw it as a missed opportunity, others a testament to integrity. MacAfee, however, remained unfazed. He thrived in his new realm, building a successful dental practice and even serving as president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
MacAfee was a legend at Notre Dame. A three-time All-American, he dominated defenses with a blend of power and grace, nicknamed "The Golden Hammer" for his punishing blocks and acrobatic receptions. He anchored the 1977 national championship team and seemed destined for NFL stardom.
Yet, when the San Francisco 49ers drafted him seventh overall in 1978, a twist of fate awaited. While he struggled to adapt to the pro game, a different dream simmered beneath the surface – dentistry. This wasn't a whim; it was a lifelong passion, nurtured alongside his football prowess.
His NFL career remained respectable, but the whispers of the dental lab grew louder. In 1983, after two seasons with the 49ers, MacAfee made a decision that shook the football world. He traded the roar of the stadium for the hum of drills, walking away from his NFL career to pursue dentistry full-time.
The choice sparked debate. Some saw it as a missed opportunity, others a testament to integrity. MacAfee, however, remained unfazed. He thrived in his new realm, building a successful dental practice and even serving as president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
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Gridiron Legacy: Pro Football's Missing Origin Story
Author Gregg Ficery tells the story of the beginnings of Pro Football through the pro football career of his Great Grandfather, Bob Shiring
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Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry
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