RIP Mini Mack Herron

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

Monday, December 07, 2015 6:04 PM EST

By New England Patriots


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots are saddened to learn of the loss of former running back and return specialist Mack Herron, who died yesterday in Chicago at the age of 67. Read

Herron signed with the Patriots in 1973 after two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. The 5-foot-5-inch, 175-pound back was affectionately nicknamed "Mini Mack for his diminutive size and became a fan favorite for his electrifying returns and explosive offensive contributions, despite only playing in New England for two-and-a-half seasons (1973-75).
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. Read

Born on July 24, 1948 in Biloxi, Miss., he grew up on Chicago's West Side and was a football standout at Farragut High School. He played his college ball at Kansas State and had a sensational senior season when he led the Wildcats in rushing and led the Big 8 Conference in receiving. He scored 21 touchdowns as a senior, which ranked second in the nation behind Oklahoma's Heisman Trophy winner, Steve Owens. Drafted in the sixth round of the 1970 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons, Herron opted for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers instead, where he twice led the CFL in all-purpose yardage. Read
 
I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

He only played for us for a short time, but once you saw him you'd never forget it.

He was the first guy I ever heard the saying "he isn't small, he's just short" applied to. Herron was unbelievably tough and strong for his size. Nobody seemed to know much about him other than he came from Chicago, was involved with some sort of gang and had some issues with drugs that plagued him for years. I'm surprised he made it to 67, to be honest.

If you never saw him play, then picture Dion Lewis about a half a foot shorter and 20 pounds lighter. Make him even shiftier and faster than he is. Make him a better blocker. A better receiver and return man. Make him the most exciting very small athlete in the history of Boston professional sports.

Sorry, Doug.
 
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I remember one particular play from his first year with the Pats. He took a handoff, dove into the pile on the right side, then I lost complete sight of him under all those huge bodies, and then - poof- out the other side of the line he popped and went further for a sizable gain. It was incredible. I don't believe Replay was in use at the time, so I never saw it again - I just have this great memory.

We sure could use him now back there......
 
He really was a special player. Another thing that was amazing was that he was a good blocker as well, picking up blitzes.

It's a shame that drugs ended his career too quickly.
 
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Herron played a big part in my early Patriot fandom; what an exciting player.
 
I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

He only played for us for a short time, but once you saw him you'd never forget it.

He was the first guy I ever heard the saying "he isn't small, he's just short" applied to. Herron was unbelievably tough and strong for his size. Nobody seemed to know much about him other than he came from Chicago, was involved with some sort of gang and had some issues with drugs that plagued him for years. I'm surprised he made it to 67, to be honest.

If you never saw him play, then picture Dion Lewis about a half a foot shorter and 20 pounds lighter. Make him even shiftier and faster than he is. Make him a better blocker. A better receiver and return man. Make him the most exciting very small athlete in the history of Boston professional sports.

Sorry, Doug.

To me Dion Lewis = Mack Herron without Mack's off field baggage. The first time I saw Lewis in a Pats' uni in training camp I had good memories of 'little' Mack.
 
Always loved mini-mack.

Requiescat in pace.

BostonTim
 
Mack Herron and Sam Bam Cunningham made one heck of a backfield. RIP
 
This is a tough loss for me personally, in that Herron is the reason I became a Patriot's fan.I grew up in NYC, and my Dad was a Jet's fan, so obviously, back in 1974 (age 12) I was a Jet's fan. My Dad and I used to watch This Week in The NFL (I think it was called that, Tom Brookshire and Pat Summerall were the hosts) on Saturday nights, they would show the prior week's NFL Highlights. I saw some Mack Herron highlights, and immediately got hooked on the Patriots. 1975 is when I really got into the Pats, and the rest is history.

RIP Mack.
 
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