Hall of Fame
Position: Tight End
Years: 1967-1969
Place of Birth: Cleveland, OH
Date of Birth: Jul 30, 1948
Place of Death: Miami Lakes, FL
Date of Death: Apr 26, 2011
Jersey Number: 88
Height: 6-2
Weight: 224
High School: Solon, OH (Solon HS)
A tenacious blocker and talented pass-catcher, James Mandich rewrote the Michigan record books with his offensive prowess as a tight end. A unanimous First Team All-America and team captain in 1969, Mandich was named the team's Most Valuable Player while leading the Wolverines to a Big Ten Conference Co-Championship and Rose Bowl appearance. A two-time First Team All-Conference pick, he twice led Michigan in receptions and yardage. Named to Michigan?s Hall of Honor in 1994, Mandich?s 119 career receptions and 1,494 career yards continue to rank first all-time among UM tight ends. An accomplished scholar, Mandich was named First Team Academic All-America and All-Conference in 1969. After completing his BA in Economics in 1970, Mandich was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft and was a member of three Super Bowl teams, including the undefeated 1972 Dolphins. Following his NFL career, he became a successful construction executive as well as radio talk show host for the Miami Dolphins, where he went by the nickname, ?Mad Dog Mandich.?
