Fansided

10 best Michigan alumni in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO – NOVEMBER 20: Tom Mack #65 of the Los Angeles Rams watches from the sideline during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on November 20, 1977 in San Francisco, California. The Rams defeated the Niners 23-10. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – NOVEMBER 20: Tom Mack #65 of the Los Angeles Rams watches from the sideline during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on November 20, 1977 in San Francisco, California. The Rams defeated the Niners 23-10. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images) /

9. Tom Mack

In 1966, the Los Angeles Rams made former Wolverines’ offensive lineman Tom Mack the second overall pick in the draft. It was somewhat surprising that an AFL team didn’t draft him after he had earned All-America honors during his final year at Michigan.

He went on to a brilliant career with the Rams, never missing a regular-season (184) or postseason (12) game with the franchise. Mack started 176 contests and a dozen postseason games in 13 NFL campaigns.

“In my own case, I’ve always thought that one of the best things I’ve had going for me is my speed,” explained the well-schooled left guard (via the Pro Football Hall of Fame). “I’m not as big and strong as some guards…but I think one of the things I can do best is block on a sweep.”

Unfortunately, those talented Rams teams failed to reach the Super Bowl during Mack’s tenure in the league. His final season was 1978 in which he earned Pro Bowl honors for the 11th time. The Rams would fall to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game for the second time in four years and that loss would prove to be the final outing for the star blocker.

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