Mac Speedie

Cleveland Browns end who led the league in receptions four times and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Mac Curtis Speedie (January 12, 1920 – March 5, 1993) was an American professional football end who played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL) for seven years before joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canada. He later served for two years as head coach of the American Football League's Denver Broncos.

Quick Facts

Position: End
Born: 12 January 1920
Birthplace: Odell, Illinois, U.S.
Died: 5 March 1993
Place of death: Laguna Hills, California, U.S.
High school: South (Salt Lake City, Utah)
College: Utah (1938–1941)
Draft year: 1942

Lore & Background

Speedie grew up in Utah, where he overcame Perthes Disease to become a standout as a hurdler on his high school track team and a halfback on the football team. He attended the University of Utah, where he continued to excel at track and football before entering the military in 1942 during World War II. He spent four years in the service before joining the Browns in 1946. Speedie led his league in receptions four times during his career and was selected as a first-team All-Pro six times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Reader's Guide

Speedie played for the Cleveland Browns from 1946 to 1952, winning AAFC championships every year from 1946 to 1949 and an NFL championship in 1950. He left the Browns after the 1952 season amid a conflict with head coach Paul Brown and joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU).

Did You Know?

Speedie caught the first touchdown in the AAFC's existence in the Browns' opening game against the Miami Seahawks.
He tied a professional football record by catching a 99-yard touchdown pass from Otto Graham in 1947.
Speedie's 228 receiving yards in a 1949 game against the New York Yankees remains a Browns record.
He was an end coach for the Houston Oilers when they won the AFL championship in 1960.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were Mac Speedie's major achievements?

He led the league in receptions three times and earned first-team All-Pro honors six times during his career. His consistent performance set a benchmark for receiving yards per season that stood as a record for decades.

What happened after his time with the Browns?

Following his seven years in Cleveland, Speedie finished his professional career playing one season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He passed away on March 5, 1993, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering receiver in football history.