wwltv.com
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:30 AM
The Associated Press
BALTIMORE -- John Mackey, a Hall of Fame former player for the Baltimore Colts who had battled with dementia, has died. He was 69.
Chad Steele, a spokesman for the Baltimore Ravens, said Thursday that Mackey's wife had notified the team about her husband's death.
Mackey played for the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1971. He also played for the San Diego Chargers in 1972. He caught 331 passes for 5,236 yards and 38 touchdowns in a 10-season career.
A NFL labor agreement ratified in 2006 includes the so-called "88 plan," named for Mackey's number, 88. It provides up to $88,000 a year for nursing care or day care for ex-players with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, or $50,000 for home care.
