Misplaced Pages

Jacque Harold MacKinnon (November 10, 1938 – March 6, 1975) was an American professional football player who was a tight end, playing most of his career in the American Football League (AFL) with the San Diego Chargers. He also was a member of the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League (NFL) and the Southern California Sun in the World Football League (WFL). He played college football at Colgate University.

Early years

Born and raised in Dover, New Jersey, MacKinnon attended Dover High School. He was a running back in football, a sprinter in track and a center in basketball.

He accepted a football scholarship from Colgate University, where he was a standout at halfback.

Professional career

MacKinnon was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 33rd round (264th overall) of the 1962 AFL Draft and the Philadelphia Eagles in the 20th round (280th overall) of the 1961 NFL draft. As the last player selected in the 1961 NFL draft, he was designated Mr. Irrelevant, however, he was the only such player ever to be selected as an All-Star, before Brock Purdy in 2024.

He opted to sign with the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League to play as a fullback. In 1966, he was moved to tight end to take advantage of his blocking and receiver skills. Head coach, Sid Gillman, employed MacKinnon with Dave Kocourek in the first "twin tight-end" formations seen in professional football. He was on the Chargers' 1963 AFL Championship team in their victory over the Boston Patriots. He was an AFL All-Star in 1966 and 1968. In 1968, he averaged 19.6 yards per reception, posting 33 receptions for 646 yards and 6 touchdowns.

On April 29, 1970, he was traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a future draft pick, but he refused to report and instead opted to retire.

On September 15, 1970, he signed as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders, at the time part of the National Football League. In 1974, he signed with the Southern California Sun in the World Football League to play tight end.

In 1976, he was a part of the initial four former players (along with Emil Karas, Frank Buncom, Bob Laraba), that were inducted posthumously into the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame.

Personal life

MacKinnon was out of football when he died in 1975. After fleeing the scene of a car accident and apparently drunk, MacKinnon jumped over a tall fence, not knowing about the construction site on the other side. MacKinnon fell some 30 feet and died of injuries caused by the fall.

See also

• List of American Football League players
• List of NCAA major college yearly punt and kickoff return leaders

References

1. Jacque MacKinnon Stats, Pro-Football-Reference.com. Accessed March 14, 2018.
2. "Charger Deal". Retrieved March 5, 2019.(subscription required)
3. "Elsewhere". Retrieved March 5, 2019.(subscription required)
4. "Raiders' Fancy Double Shuffle". Retrieved March 5, 2019.(subscription required)
5. Archer, Todd (October 12, 2003). "What NFL Teams Do To Honor Their Past". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 5, 2019.(subscription required)
6. "Ex-Pro MacKinnon Dead After Falling". The Milwaukee Sentinel. March 7, 1975. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
7. Dickey, Fred (December 9, 2013). "Tackling Topics with Former Chargers Great". Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019.

• 1938 births
• 1975 deaths
• People from Dover, New Jersey
• Players of American football from Morris County, New Jersey
• American football fullbacks
• American football tight ends
• Colgate Raiders football players
• San Diego Chargers players
• Oakland Raiders players
• Southern California Sun players
• American Football League All-Star players
• Accidental deaths from falls
• Accidental deaths in California
• American Football League players