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October 21, 2007
Sharing a Name
My parents aren't big football fans so when they named me, they had no way of knowing that the name they gave me was effectively identical to the man who scored the first touchdown in the first Super Bowl.
Max McGee was a tight end for the Green Bay Packers, and it didn't seem to matter to football fans that our names are off by a letter (like me, he also went by his middle name). My whole life, people, upon hearing my name have asked me if I knew about him. It wasn't long before I knew by heart the story of that first Super Bowl. I'll let Wikipedia recount it:
In his final two seasons, injuries and age had considerably reduced his production and playing time. Ironically, these two seasons would be the ones for which his career is best remembered. In the 1966 season, McGee caught only four passes for 91 yards and a touchdown as the Packers recorded a 12-2 record and advanced to Super Bowl I against the Kansas City Chiefs. Because McGee didn't expect to play in the game, he violated his team's curfew policy and spent the night before the Super Bowl out on the town. The next morning, he told starting receiver Boyd Dowler, "I hope you don't get hurt. I'm not in very good shape."I bring this up because I've just heard the news that McGee died at the age of 75. Tragically, it happened following a fall from his roof, where he'd been clearing leaves. Since I've talked about McGee with people regularly for my whole life, it seemed strange not to mention his passing. I suspect people will still note the name we (almost) share, but probably less and less as his gridiron feats recede into history.However, Dowler went down with a separated shoulder on the Packers' second drive of the game, and McGee, who had to borrow a teammate's helmet because he had not even brought his own out of the locker room, found himself thrust into the lineup. A few plays later, McGee made a one-handed reception of a pass from Bart Starr, took off past Chiefs defender Fred Williamson and ran 37 yards to score the first touchdown in Super Bowl history. By the end of the game, McGee had recorded seven receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns, assisting Green Bay to a 35-10 victory.
- C. Max Magee @ 6:48 PM ~
comments: 3 ~ Links to this post
But I did review the book by one of the other ones on my blog in August.
King Rat @ October 21, 2007 10:26 PMTHE LEGEND OF MAX MAGEE
THE GOLDEN BOYS BEST FRIEND
NOW WITH VINCE BACK IN GREEN AND GOLD
ON THE BEST FIELD EVER.
"WHEN ITS 3RD AND 10 YOU CAN HAVE THE MILK DRINKERS ,
ILL TAKE THE WHISKEY DRINKERS
EVERY TIME."
M.M.
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