CANTON, Ohio-As confirmed Wednesday on the NFL Network, former University of Utah multi-sport athlete Mac Speedie was named as a member of the 2020 class at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Speedie, who starred on the Utes’ football program from 1939-1941, also competed in basketball and track and field for Utah during his college days.
Speedie, who passed away in 1993 at 73, is presently a member of the Utah Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 1972) and Utah’s Crimson Club Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 1986).
Speedie played for the Cleveland Browns from 1946-1952, amassing 349 receptions for 5,602 yards (16.1 yards per reception) and 33 scores.
During his time with the Browns, the squad posted a record of 83-13-3, winning four AAFC Championships, an NFL title (1950) and finished as the NFL’s runner-up on two other occasions.
Speedie then concluded his professional North American gridiron football career by playing with the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders (1953-1954) and B.C. Lions (1955).
Speedie then commenced his coaching career, joining the Houston Oilers’ coaching staff in 1960 and later, the Denver Broncos’ staff in 1962.
Speedie later became the Broncos’ head coach and general manager in 1964 while remaining the head coach through the 1966 season.
At the helm in Denver, Speedie posted a horrendous record of 6-19-1 (.240).
He remained in scouting with the Broncos until his retirement in 1982.
Speedie also overcame a debilitating bone deficiency disease in his childhood to ultimately become an accomplished athlete.
