Tom Mack

• Los Angeles Rams (1966-1978)

Thomas Lee " Tom" Mack ( born November 1, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio ) is a former American professional American football player. He played as a guard in the National Football League ( NFL) with the Los Angeles Rams.

Playing career

College career

Tom Mack was born the son of Ray Mack, a professional baseball player in the Cleveland Indians. He attended Cleveland High School and played in the local football team as a wide receiver. After leaving school he received a scholarship to the University of Michigan and studied engineering there. Mack came only in his last two years of study in the football team, the Michigan Wolverines, as offensive tackle to use. In 1964, he won the championship with his team in the Big Ten Conference. In the same year he won with the Wolverines in the Rose Bowl against the Oregon State University with 34:7. After the 1965 season, he was selected to the All- American. His College also awarded him in 1964 and 1965 from because of its sporting achievements.

Professional career

Tom Mack was drafted in 1966 by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round in second place. In the same year George Allen took over the office of the Head coach for the Rams. The Rams had a less than successful football team in previous years. Allen managed to improve the performance of the team considerably. He sat Mack on the offensive line as a guard. He had thus to the task of protecting quarterback Roman Gabriel and block their own running back the way into the opponent's end zone free. 1967 Tom Mack could then move in with his team for the first time in the play-offs. The Rams had won in the regular season eleven of 14 games and met in the Divisional play-off game on the managed by Vince Lombardi Green Bay Packers. The team from Green Bay showed superior and won the game with 28:7. The Rams should henceforth establish itself as a top team in the NFL. Four times was Tom Mack move with his team in the NFC Championship Game. The Rams were able to win any of the games. In 1974, the team failed to 10:14 on the Minnesota Vikings. After the regular season in 1975 was followed by a 7:37 defeat against the Dallas Cowboys. In the 1976 season, the Rams lost again against the Vikings, this time with 13:24. 1978 Mack lost his last final, again were the cowboys of the opponents, who this time were able to prevail with 28:0 itself. Tom Mack finished after this last final defeat and after his last invitation to the Pro Bowl his career. Mack served in his last four years as captain of the Rams. He missed during his 13 years of professional career, not a game of his team.

After the career

Tom Mack was vice president of Bechtel Corporation after his career. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Honors

Tom Mack played eleven times in the Pro Bowl, the final game of the best players of the season. He was elected to the All-Pro eight times and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in the Hall of Fame of his high school and in the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame. The St. Louis Rams also honor him on the St. Louis ring of fame in the Edward Jones Dome, home to the Rams.