12/22/24
October 21, 2007
Max McGee unexpected hero of Super Bowl I dies in home accident.: McGee had caught only four passes for 91 yards during the 1966 regular season and, not expecting to play against the Chiefs, violated the team's curfew and spent the night before the game partying.
posted by kyrilmitch_76 to football at 01:42 PM - 8 comments
Oh, that is a shame. I remember watching a bunch of interviews with him on an HBO special about Superbowl I and he was a riot. Self-deprecating, friendly, and an all round normal person. I would love to see more of today's football players with his attitude. Not the "get hung over and risk losing part," but the "not take himself too seriously" part. Anyhow, hats off to you, Mr. McGee. Rest in peace.
posted by Joey Michaels at 02:34 PM on October 21, 2007
I had the good fortune once to talk casually at length with the great Ray Nitschke, and he confirmed that there was nobody on the Packers team that could lighten the mood better than Max McGee did. In those days, they played hard, and "played" even harder. Mr. Nitschke told me that he couldn't hold a candle to some of Mr. McGee's shenanigans at times. Football has undergone quite an evolution since Superbowl I, and likewise the players as well. A degree of lightheartedness was the norm back then, and it seems that in todays scope of the game, both off the field as well as on, the climate has changed drastically (no sense in pointing out specifics). It's saddening to see these players go, especially as unfortunately as Max McGee. Rest in Peace Mr. McGee - you will be missed
posted by B-2 Spirit at 06:14 PM on October 22, 2007
what the hell is a 75 year old guy doing on a roof?
posted by mars1 at 07:32 PM on October 22, 2007
what the hell is a 75 year old guy doing on a roof? According to the first sentence in the article, clearing off leaves.
posted by tommybiden at 07:50 PM on October 22, 2007
.
posted by BornIcon at 09:15 AM on October 23, 2007
.
posted by tommybiden at 11:17 AM on October 23, 2007
My guess is that he was a typical man and couldn't accept when he couldn't do the things he used to. He was a huge part of my life growing up listening to a lot of packer games on the radio (Cuz the sucky vikings games were shown in western wi a lot). Nobody but Max could make you feel like you were at the game watching with him. Exciting commentator.
posted by amatzek at 11:17 PM on October 23, 2007
Reportedly, the next morning he told Dowler: "I hope you don't get hurt. I'm not in very good shape." Dowler went down with a separated shoulder on the Packers' second drive, and McGee had to borrow a helmet because he left his in the locker room. A few plays later, McGee made a one-handed reception of a pass from Bart Starr and ran 37 yards to score. Max McGee's story is the exactly the sort of reason why I watch sports. Just as you never know for sure who will win, you never know who the hero will.