This is sad. Former Green Bay Packer tight end and Super Bowl I hero, Max McGee, died yesterday from a fall from his roof at his home in Deephaven, Minnesota, the Star Tribune reports. He was 75 years old.
McGee played 12 years for the Packers as a tight end and punter but he was most famous for his performance in the first Super Bowl. Having caught only four passes during the whole season, McGee figured there was no chance he’d see any action in the Super Bowl, so he spent the night partying.
Before the game, McGee told starter Boyd Dowler, "I hope you don’t get hurt. I’m not in very good shape."
So, of course, Dowler was injured, forcing McGee into the game. McGee responded by reaching back behind himself on a poorly thrown ball by quarterback Bart Starr, hauled it in with one hand, and scampered 37 yards for the first touchdown in Super Bowl history. At the end of the game, McGee had seven receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns.