By Darin 
November 1, 1947 – Guatemala City, Guatemala – Ted Hendricks, the linebacker from the University of Miami, Florida, came into this life. According to the National Football Foundation’s website bio on the player, Ted Hendricks stood 6-7. He weighed 218 pounds at the University of Miami, and his aggressive style of play, along with his long, lanky physique, earned him the nickname “Mad Stork.”
As a defensive end during his three seasons with the Hurricanes, Ted received All-America recognition 3 times, totaling 327 tackles and averaging 109 per season. Pretty good numbers for a DE! Ted was also an above-average student at Miami, majoring in Math with a minor in psychology.
The NFF selected and placed Ted Hendricks into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987. Ted was the Colts’ first-round pick in the 1969 NFL Draft and played pro football as a linebacker, 1969-83, with the Colts, Packers, and Raiders, and was a member of four winning Super Bowl teams. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s bio, in his career, Ted intercepted 26 passes, returning them for 332 yards and a touchdown. He also recovered 16 opponents’ fumbles and scored a record-tying four safeties. Hendricks scored touchdowns on an interception, a fumble return, and a blocked punt.
In all, he blocked 25 field goals/points after attempts in his pro career, scored 4 safeties, and played on 8 Pro Bowl teams. In 1990, Ted Hendricks was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Football Accolades and Accomplishments
- Collegiate Dominance: While playing defensive end for the Miami Hurricanes, Hendricks received All-America recognition three times and totaled 327 tackles, averaging 109 per season.
- Academic Achievement: He was an above-average student at Miami, majoring in Math with a minor in Psychology.
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
- NFL Tenure: Played 15 seasons (1969–83) as a linebacker for the Colts, Packers, and Raiders.
- Championship Success: A member of four winning Super Bowl teams.
- Record-Setting Playmaker: Hendricks is credited with blocking 25 field goals/points after attempts and scoring a record-tying four safeties in his pro career.
- Turnover King: He intercepted 26 passes and recovered 16 opponents’ fumbles, scoring touchdowns on an interception, a fumble return, and a blocked punt.
- Pro Bowl Selection: Selected to 8 Pro Bowl teams during his career.
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.