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Jim Mandich

Tight End

Inducted 2004

Date of Birth

7/30/1948

Birthplace

Cleveland, OH

School

University of Michigan (1967-1969)

Bio

A three-year starter at tight end, Michigan’s Jim Mandich set the standard for all future Wolverine tight ends. The 6-2, 215-pounder was a three-year starter. In addition to catching passes, Jim was an excellent blocker in Michigan’s run-oriented offense. His sophomore season, he caught 26 passes before leading the team in catches during his junior year. In 1968, he grabbed 43 passes for three scores and became an All-Big Ten player. Jim became Michigan’s Most Valuable Player in his 1969 senior season. He caught 50 passes and scored four touchdowns. In Bo Schembechler’s first season at Michigan, UM captured a Big Ten co-championship by ending defending national champion and top-ranked Ohio State's 22-game win streak. In the Rose Bowl, Mandich caught eight passes. In addition to winning All-Conference honors, he was a unanimous All-America a pick and an Academic All-America. Drafted in the second round by Miami, he played for the Dolphins for eight seasons where he was a member of three Super Bowl teams including the undefeated 1972 team. In his final season he played for Pittsburgh where he was a member of this third world champion team.