R.I.P. Mini-Mack Herron

[jimnance]

Yo, icypatriot, big props to you my brother for that video clip. Brought back so many awesome memories. For a few years in the mid70's the Pats were damn good and fun-and all of us who were around then know they would have won their 1st super bowl had the" referee whose name shall never be spoken by me" not done his evil deed in the raiders game.

 

[reflexblue]

Mini Mack, my first favorite patriot. I heard him described as having the upper body of someone that weighed 220lbs. RIP Mack

 

[Hoodie]

Sad news. I wonder if he's part of the CTE program.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Former Patriot Mini Mack Herron dead at the age of 67

In his first season with the Patriots, he led the NFL in kickoff return yardage (1,092) and broke eight Patriots return records while totaling 1,839 all-purpose yards in 1973, second only to O.J. Simpson that year.

In 1974, his legend grew when he finished ahead of Sam Cunningham as the team’s leading rusher with 824 yards and seven touchdowns while also leading the team with 38 receptions, including a team-high five receiving touchdowns.

He also led the team in kickoff and punt returns. That year, he finished with 2,444 all-purpose yards for the Patriots, which broke Gale Sayers’ 1966 NFL single-season all-purpose yardage record of 2,440 yards.

 

[jagkho]

Back in the mid 70's, he was amazing. An electrifying return man, and decent running back, and all that while only 5'5''. His lack of height in fact accentuated his dynamism and he was a spark on a few not very good Patriots squads.

He was my first favorite Patriot, and is much underappreciated and forgotten by the Patriots as well as the league.

 

[Pats Fanatic]

RIP

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

It was fun watching this midget actually knock 250lb linebackers on their ass. He could run with POWER and the Pats even used him sometimes in short-yardage power runs up the middle. Low center- of- gravity exploding through 290lb dlmen. Very unique. Haven't really seen anyone like him in NFL since. Unfortunately had big time drug problems

Everybody knew about the drugs, but Chuck Fairbanks brought him here from Canada and gave him a chance. He was by all accounts a good teammate too.

Love how his jersey number is nearly tucked into his pants. Nice uniform, too.
We could use both on Thursday night.

...We do have lots of guys coming back soon, hopefully including Dion Lewis.

 

[Deus Irae]

If you're going to necro a thread, have something to add to the damned thing.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

If you're going to necro a thread, have something to add to the damned thing.

Sorry you hate the photo

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Yo, icypatriot, big props to you my brother for that video clip. Brought back so many awesome memories. For a few years in the mid70's the Pats were damn good and fun-and all of us who were around then know they would have won their 1st super bowl had the" referee whose name shall never be spoken by me" not done his evil deed in the raiders game.

NFL Network should replay NBC Broadcast of Pats-Raiders playoff 12/18/76 in its entirety

 

[PrairiePat]

He was awesome there for a few years when I was just discovering the Patriots. One of my first 'favorite' Pats' players. RIP.

 

[captain insano]

R.I.P. mini-mack!

For a coupla years- one of the most fun-to-watch Pats of all time. 5'5" bowling ball. Might be THE most fun-to-watch Pat of all time. Between him, gronk and Dion Lewis.



Former Patriots running back and return specialist Mack Herron passed away Sunday at the age of 67

Former Patriot Mack Herron dies at 67 - The Boston Globe

Former Patriots RB Mack Herron passes away at age 67

mod edit w/links and clarified title

some of my fav pats memories are of him playing monday night football. he electrified a stadium

 

[patfanken]

Mack was player very close to my time, and was a really good one for a short time. Drugs had always been a problem for Mack, and was common knowledge back then. I'm actually a bit surprised he lasted this long. Of course I'm more than a bit surprised that I have lasted this long.

However the thing that struck me the most from that clip was in the final seconds, when the announcer notes that NFL had denied him a pension....like they did for so many players from that era. If you needed yet ANOTHER reason to hate the NFL, let that note head the list.

Mack provided us a lot of pleasure with his efforts, and in its great wisdom, they couldn't find an entire generation of players upon whose bodies this league was built on with a few hundred dollars a month extra in their old age.

RIP Mack.

 

[Deus Irae]

Sorry you hate the photo

It's a death thread involving a man who died 8 months ago. There was no reason to go Lazarus with the thread, and you didn't add anything of value to what was already there. I'll leave it at that.

 

[SEA_Pat]

As with a couple others here, Mini-Mack was the reason I became a Patriot fan. I was a good Canadian boy so suitably hockey-obsessed and was into the CFL since I'd been to an Argo game (that's the Toronto Argonauts for those who know nothing about the CFL). I saw Herron when he played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and he was electric, especially in the CFL where the talent level was WAAAAAAAYYYYYYY below his. When the Patriots picked him up the next year, I bought in and the Pats became my team as a result. He was amazing his first year in the league, and the young Patriots soon became a great team, one destined to be robbed of their deserved Super Bowl by evil Ben Dreith. Mack disappeared down the drug rabbit hole, but my love of the Patriots remained. So I owe him that at least. Sorry he couldn't overcome them and probably didn't lead a happy life as a result.

Rest in peace Mini-Mack, you were a great player and led me to a lot of joy in my life. Thank you.

 

[patfanken]

Well I did some of my own research and the Pats drafted QB Onree Jackson from Alabama A&M in the 5th round of the 1969 draft. So I guess my brains aren't as scrambled as I thought.


The Huntsville Times is celebrating Black History Month by taking a quick look back on 29 of the moments, athletes and coaches that make Alabama A&M athletics special. Today is Day No. 13: Onree Jackson drafted by NFL's Boston Patriots

Onree Jackson, center, was a member of the undefeated 1966 Alabama A&M football team. Brawnski Towns, left, and William Sanders also pictured. (The Huntsville Times Photo)
Onree Jackson, considered to be the best quarterback ever to play at Alabama A&M, was selected in the fifth round of the 1969 NFL draft by the Boston Patriots. "Jackson could be the Willie Mays of football," Boston player personnel director Rommie Loudd said at the time. The Brighton native was the SIAC's Offensive Player of the Year in 1966 and overall Player of the Year in 1967 and 1968.

To read previous Alabama A&M sports history moments,click here.

Looking back on it, the culture shock must have been huge for the kid. Then to be drafted by Boston (not the most welcoming city for a black man at that time, I ashamed to say. (just ask Bill Russell). Then to be sent down to us, who were practicing outside of Quincy High, and using their dummies and blocking sleds, must have been the last straw.

He never played again, I guess. I can't find any other articles that talk about what has happened to him over the last 56 years. I hope he had a good life and is still living

 

[anditsgood]

RIP

 

[Jackson 2]

The adjective "electric" is one which is over-used to describe players who are merely "exciting." Mack Herron was ELECTRIC...

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Well I did some of my own research and the Pats drafted QB Onree Jackson from Alabama A&M in the 5th round of the 1969 draft. So I guess my brains aren't as scrambled as I thought.


He never played again, I guess. I can't find any other articles that talk about what has happened to him over the last 56 years. I hope he had a good life and is still living

Onree Jackson | Facebook

Looks like this could be the Facebook page for Onree Jackson, the age, the college and the photo aged about 50 years.....

 

[Seacoast Fan]

Loved Mini Mack. Too bad ...RIP.