Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Mack Herron - Running Back - 1971-72 - Kansas State

 

excerpt from Pete Farley & Tony Jimenez - St.Petersburg Times - 1972

Herron was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 1970 NFL draft but did not make it to the top that season.  After the year’s delay, he negotiated with Winnipeg and signed for 1971.  he played in 15 games his first season with the Blue Bombers, gaining 900 yards on 198 carries.  He also scored nine touchdowns and returned kickoffs for 1,019 yards and a 29.1 yard average.  The following season he saw action in 16 games, gained 1,517 yards on 258 totes and scored 16 TDs.  He left Winnipeg after a drug hassle and joined the Patriots for last season where he was used as a spot speedster.

As Herron grew and went through high school, Gore continuously encouraged Herron to stay in school because it would lead to something better. “Bobby sure was right” recalls Herron. Herron would finish high school leading his football team in total yardage. These skills would lead him to a community college in Hutchinson Kansas, known as the Blue Dragons. As the years passed Herron would take over the team total offense and became their key player. From junior college Herron was able to earn a scholarship to Kansas State University based upon his play on the football field, were he would finish his educational career and begin his football career. Leaving Kansas State after his senior year as the leading scorer in the country and an All American, Herron would travel to Canada to play in the Canadian Football League and then play for New England in the National Football League. While with the Patriots, Mack broke Gayle Sayers' NFL record for total yardage in a season.

Mack Herron   Kansas State                    
  Rushing           Receiving       Kick Return      
Yr Team C Yds Avg Lg TD C Yds Avg Lg TD No Yds Avg Lg TD
1971 Wpg 198 900 4.5 33 3 30 428 14.3 63 4 35 1,019 29.1 62 0
1972 Wpg 258 1,527 5.9 65 11 39 451 11.6 55 4 17 552 32.5 120 1
Total 2 456 2427 5.3 65 14 69 879 12.7 63 8 52 1,571 30.2 120 1

  Height: 5-5   Weight: 175
  Yrs/Pat: 3
  Acquired: FA-1973
  School: Kansas State
  Born: Jul 24, 1948  Biloxi  Mississippi

Career Highlights

(From the 1975 Patriots Media Guide)

Sixth round draft choice of Atlanta in 1970, but signed on with Winnipeg of CFL where he played three great seasons ... made CFL Western Division all-star team in 1971 and '72, all-Canadian League in '72, and runnerup for league MVP '72 ... CFL fifth leading scorer in '72 with 96 points, leading TD maker with 16, top rusher with 1527 yards on 258 carries ... established CFL kickoff return record with a 120-yarder against Edmonton ... waived out of CFL and was selling jeans in Chicago when Patriots scout Dick Steinberg (his college coach) akerted club of his availability ... used to be called "Scoe" (correct spelling) because he scored so many touchdowns ... became the darling of the fans with his wreckless and productive returns ... broke eight Patriots individual return records in 1973 and tied another ... led NFL in kickoff return yardage (1092) and with just one season under his belt ranked fifth on the Patriots all-time combined return list with 1374 yards ... only O.J. Simpsom turned in more yards for his team than Mini Mack in '73 season with his 1839 tally ... had Patriots longest TD run of the year, a 10-yarder gainst Buffalo ... named MVP by both Foxboro Jaycees and 1776 Club ... second year jinx didn't bother Mack as he turned in sensational '74 campaign ... became starting running back in addition to return specialist and led team in every department ... established nine new records and equalled three others ... his 2444-yard output was enough to shatter the 1966 NFL combined yardage record set by Gale Sayers ... accounted for nearly 40 percent of the Patriots yardage in '74 ... won Special Achievement Award from 1776 Club and was Gold Helmet of the Year winner ... goes into '75 season as AFC's No. 3 active punt returner, 13th in kickoff returns ... needs 219 yards to become Patriots all-time combined return leader.

College

(From the 1975 Patriots Media Guide)

Launched collegiate career at Hutchinson (Ka.) Jr. College ... won National Jr. College dash title ... sensational senior season (1969) at Kansas State ... led team in rushing with 506 yards on 127 carries, top receiver in Big 8 with 52 for 652 yards, second leading major college scorer in nation behind Oklahoma's Steve Owens (Detroit Lions) with 126 points on 21 touchdowns ... All-Big 8 and Football News and Sporting News all-America choice ... won 100-yard dash in Kansas Relays ... played in North-South, All-American and Senior Bowl games.