Mack Strong
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Position: | Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 253 lb (115 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | Brookstone School (Columbus, Georgia) | ||||||||||||
College: | Georgia | ||||||||||||
Undrafted: | 1993 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Mack Carlington Strong
Early years
Mack Strong was born in
College career
He was recruited by teams all over the south, and in 1989 Strong opted to stay home and sign with the University of Georgia Bulldogs. The tradition of running backs at that school, which included Herschel Walker, led Strong to believe there was a real opportunity to make it to the NFL as a tailback. The Bulldogs had a couple of older running backs named Tim Worley and Rodney Hampton, both future first-round picks, so Strong had trouble finding playing time as a freshman. By his sophomore season, the team added top recruit Garrison Hearst and a ballyhooed transfer from Long Beach State named Terrell Davis. If Strong hadn’t done the math, his coaches did it for him. He was told he could either move to fullback and block for the others, or he could sit and watch them from the bench.
Strong became a full-time starter at fullback for his final two years at Georgia, earning the honor of offensive captain as a senior. His blocking helped Hearst get drafted in the first round, while Davis went on to become a late-round NFL success story who went on to win Super Bowl MVP honors. As their workmanlike bodyguard, Strong was all but overlooked at Georgia. Despite his quiet leadership, blue-collar work ethic and impressive blocking style, he went undrafted after his senior season.
Despite being primarily a blocker, in his four years in Athens Strong amassed 1,210 yards rushing and receiving, and scored 10 touchdowns.
Professional career
Originally signed as free agent out of Georgia, Strong played his entire 14-year career with the Seahawks and received the
In
Retirement
In the 2007 season Strong suffered a herniated disk in his vertebrae in his neck against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The injury was said not to be life-threatening if Strong discontinued his playing of football. On October 8, 2007, Strong announced his retirement after 15 seasons due to this injury.[2] After discussions with head coach Mike Holmgren, he was able to take on a position assisting the team's running backs. While being interviewed on Monday Night Football on November 12, 2007, he hinted at a possible future in the broadcast booth. Strong and his wife, Zoe, devote their time to working with the Washington Chapter of HOPE worldwide, a non-profit organization. He is a founder of their signature program in Washington state, the Mack Strong TEAM-WORKS Academy.
Personal life
Strong and his family currently reside in Issaquah, Washington.
Broadcasting career
On July 30, 2008,
References
- ^ "Strong on Pro-Football-Reference". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3054911