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Mike McCormack, the first president of the Carolina Panthers and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died early Friday morning at the age of 83 in Palm Desert, Calif., the Panthers announced Friday.
McCormack worked hand-in-hand in the late-80s and early-90s with Panthers owner/founder Jerry Richardson to bring an NFL franchise to Charlotte.
"It is safe to say that we would probably not have a team in the Carolinas if it were not for Mike McCormack," Richardson said in a statement released by the team. "He had the contacts in the National Football League and was universally respected by everyone associated with professional football. He was a wonderful man and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Ann, and the entire McCormack family."
He served as the team's first president from 1995-1996 before retiring, and in 1997 he became the first person to be inducted in the Panthers' Ring of Honor.
Born in Chicago in 1930, McCormack won two NFL Championships as a Cleveland Brown in 1954 and 1955 as an offensive lineman. He retired from playing following the 1962 season and became an assistant coach with the Redskins in 1965.
He served as head coach of the Eagles from 1973-1975, assistant with the Bengals from 1976-1979, head coach of the Baltimore Colts from 1980-1981 and head coach of the Seahawks for 1982.
McCormack was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
42 Entries
Godspeed, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Rest Mike, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Harry Simpson
November 15, 2016
Valenda Newell
November 9, 2016
This note comes late, but full of appreciation for the life of mike mccormack. i remember him playing for de la salle military academy, kansas city, mo. being coached by my dad, godfrey kobets. in the kobets household he was mentioned often and greatly respected. "kobe" was so proud of him.
blessings for ann and the family...
sr mary frances kobets, m.m
gweru, zimbabwe, africa
April 12, 2014
HAPPY ARE THE MERCIFUL,SINCE THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY..MATT.5:7...GOD IS THE GOD OF MERCY,HE FREELY EXTEND IT TO THOSE SEEKING IT........
November 27, 2013
Just heard the sad news. Mike was a great person and we are all better having known him. Jeanne Mae and I send great regrets and our prayers. Ed Mulick
November 25, 2013
Dear Ann and the McCormack Family,
My thoughts of strength and prayer are with you .
I have such wonderful , cherished memories with You and Mike . As I reflect , these memories where always with a smile on Mike's face. I will always smile ; with gratitude;; for these times . They will always be with me .
My best to you ! Mike will be missed, his memory will continue , with a smile within me.
Sincerely , Kathy Knox Norman
November 23, 2013
sad to hear of the passing of another greats of the Cleveland Browns. one of the many greats that was coached by the legendary Paul Brown, he certainly deserves to be in the hall of fame for the great career he had. now he is playing for the greatest coach of all. may god be with your family at this time of sadness. rest in peace mike and thank you for the great career you had
victor checketts
November 19, 2013
Mike was my idol as I grew up. He was 4 years ahead of me at DeLaSalle, but in those days the High schools started football practice about a week before the colleges.So Mike would join us in practice for that week. He was very helpful, but also a lot of fun. In the spring of "51 Mike asked me to join other potential recruits at Kansas. It was there that I learned that it was true what our coach said about him and KU, "At Kansas, they think he is god"
Later, I recall how Mike was involved in civic and charitable work in Kansas City, how he was loyal to his high school coach, Godfrey Kobets, was so respectful of the Brothers who taught him. Mike was a true Gentleman.
John Gladbach
November 18, 2013
Dear Ann Joe and I are so sorry for your lost he was truly a great man. He always had time to stop and say a few words even when he was being call to the tee. The Lakes lost a true friend.
Geri @ Joe McDonald
November 18, 2013
Mike and I are first cousins, His mother and my father were siblings, I never had the honor of meeting Mike, My father spoke of him often. My condolences to his family and friends on their loss of Mike.
Lisa Everson - Ganapini
November 18, 2013
My condolences to the family and may your prayers be answered that soon death, sorrow and pain be no more and may you have peace with the prospect of everlasting life in a peaceful new world.
Alexander's
November 17, 2013
Psalm 65:2
November 17, 2013
I am sorry for your loss. I hope you can find comfort in the words written at (Jeremiah 29:11,12)
JW
November 17, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
G. Freeman
November 17, 2013
Many thoughts and prayers are with the family. May memories of your loved one warm your heart and may God strengthen and comfort you in your time of loss.
November 17, 2013
My thoughts and prayers to the McCormack family.
Carol Dennison
November 16, 2013
May the God of all comfort help you to cope, and pray for strength and we will too.
November 16, 2013
That was me Danny s perry, from Hertford north carolina
November 16, 2013
I am sad to hear of Mike's death. He has joined his KU Co-Captain friend, John Amberg, in the great sky of Heaven. My loving thoughts are with you, Ann.
Maureen Amberg
November 16, 2013
RIP MIKE YOU WERE GREAT FOR THE NFL GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY
MIKE KUCZKA
November 16, 2013
Although we've never met, I was saddened to read about the loss of your beloved family member. The people in Charlotte who are "Panther" fans , can appreciate all he did for football. Psalms 90:10, speaks of his long life. May , " the God of all comfort" be with you.
Linda Sisan
November 16, 2013
Dear Ann and family:
We are both saddened to hear of Mike's passing. We extend our deepest sympathy to you all at this time. What a kind and gentle man he was. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Gary and Carolyn Pool
Gary and Carolyn Pool
November 16, 2013
My deepest sorrow and tears to the family of the deceased. May these words bring you hope and consolation: "...Hear the promise God has made: He will call; the dead will answer. They shall live at his command. For he has a longing for the work of his own hand..." See John 14: 13-15, John 6: 40; 11: 11, 43; Jas. 4: 14
FM
November 16, 2013
I was fortunate to have known Mike as a friend, teamate and coach and will remember some of the best times in my life were spent with him. He was a huge reason for our success with the Browns and I will always be thankul for the opportunity he gave me with the Eagles. My condolences go out to Ann and the entire McCormack family.
Walt Michaels
November 16, 2013
I had the privilege of working with Mike at the start up of the Panthers in Charlotte as Assistant GM. Mike was one of the most generous and considerate people I have ever worked with in my career. It was an honor to have worked with him. RIP dear friend. Joe Mack
November 16, 2013
Thinking of you Ann, and your family as I know the loss you must feel, and we are blessed with many wonderful memories and friends. My memories of you and Mike with the Browns 1957-58 were special. It was a wonderful time. My sympathy,
Ann, widow of Lew Carpenter.
November 16, 2013
Football captivates and entertains millions, including those who no longer play due to injury or old age. But hopefully those who play and those who can only watch will all safeguard their health, take time out for the most important things in life, and be able to live as long as Mr. McCormack did. "Train yourself with godly devotion as your aim. For physical training is beneficial for a little, but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and the life that is to come." 1 Timothy 4:7, 8
Cadyn
November 16, 2013
Sorry for your loss. May God be of strength and comfort during this time. John 16:22
Olga Oquendo
November 16, 2013
May the God and Father of true peace and all tender mercy grant your family a calm and peaceful heart giving you everlasting comfort and hope.
2 Thessalonians 2:17
November 16, 2013
Dear Ann, Mike befriended me many years ago in Kansas City and I still remember the visit. You see, my father worked for Kenneth Helsby in Kansas City and later moved to Arkansas as Director of BC/BS.
My sympathy for your loss,
Jim Redheffer
November 16, 2013
My deepest sorrow and tears to the family of the deceased. May these words bring you hope and consolation: "...Hear the promise God has made: He will call; the dead will answer. They shall live at his command. For he has a longing for the work of his own hand..." See John 14: 13-15, John 6: 40; 11: 11, 43; Jas. 4: 14
FM
November 16, 2013
The Browns were an awesome force with Groza and McCormack at the tackles.
Dave Haas
November 16, 2013
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Ps. 145:14 I am truly sorry for your loss.
November 16, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
Dwayne Bickham
November 16, 2013
Please accept my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm sorry for your loss, death is one thing we are never prepared for, so please find comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more.
November 16, 2013
I am sorry for your loss. May God provide you with strength to cope with your grief.
November 16, 2013
Good speed Mike - A true gentlemen that I had the pleasure to meet and drive. My thoughts and prayers to your family.
Bob McCarthy
November 16, 2013
What a fine man Mr. McCormack was. His passing will leave a void in many areas and with many people. Rest Coach, you've earned it. God bless you
Josie
November 16, 2013
The loss of a loved one can be so hard please have comfort in God 's love.
November 15, 2013
R.I.P
Billy Williams
November 15, 2013
I was fortunate to be able to call Mike a friend. I got to know him in the early days of the Panthers. He was what the Panthers needed to get this franchise started and I regret he did not stay with them longer. My condolences to his family and he is someone I will never forget.
Butch Armstrong
November 15, 2013
RIP, thank you for making the dream of pro football in the Carolinas become a reality.
David McClelland
November 15, 2013
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