MIKE McCORMACK
1930 – 2013
Inducted – 2001

NFL Hall of Fame player, head coach and executive, Mike McCormack has been a guiding force in the development of professional football since graduating from Kansas University in 1951. While playing offensive tackle at KU, he played in the East-West and Chicago All-Star games in 1951 and earned honorable mention All-American honors before advancing to a hall of fame career in the NFL. A third round draft pick of the New York Yanks, McCormack was traded to the Cleveland Browns where he became a six-time pro bowl player during his ten seasons in the league. Legendary Browns’ coach Paul Brown called him the “finest offensive lineman I’ve ever coached.” In the 1954 NFL title game, McCormack stole the ball to set up a key touchdown as the Browns won. He was the leading blocker for legendary fullback Jim Brown and quarterback Otto Graham. Following his career as a player, McCormack was an assistant coach for the Washington Redskins and head coach for the Baltimore Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles. He also served as interim head coach of the Seattle Seahawks before becoming the team’s president and general manager. McCormack went on to serve as Executive Consultant, General Manager and President of the Carolina Panthers as a key member of the management group which brought the Panthers into the NFL during the expansion process. He was the first inductee into the Carolina Panthers Hall of Fame in 1997. Born June 21, 1930 – Chicago, Illinois. Graduated De La Salle H.S., Kansas City, Mo., 1947; University of Kansas, 1951.