The tight end (TE) is an offensive position in American football, arena football, and Canadian football. It is a hybrid that combines the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a receiver. As part of the receiver corp, they play inside the flanks (tight), contrasted with the split end who plays outside the flanks (wide). Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be effective blockers. On the other hand, unlike offensive linemen, they are eligible receivers and potent weapons in a team's offensive schemes.
Kellen Boswell Winslow Sr. is an American former professional football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL). A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1995), he is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the league's history. Winslow played his entire NFL career from 1979 to 1987 with the San Diego Chargers after being selected in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Missouri, where he was a consensus All-American. He was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2002).
Michael Dean Rucker is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and was selected by the Panthers in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft.
Mark Anthony Bavaro is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the New York Giants (1985–1990), Cleveland Browns (1992), and Philadelphia Eagles (1993–1994) in the National Football League (NFL). Bavaro was selected to the Pro Bowl for his performances in the 1986 and 1987 seasons and was a member of the Giants teams that won Super Bowls XXI and XXV.
Mark William Chmura is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boston College Eagles. He was selected by Green Bay in the sixth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played his entire career with the Packers. During his playing career, his nickname was "Chewy". He won Super Bowl XXXI with the Packers against his hometown team, the New England Patriots.
John Mackey was an American professional football player who was a tight end for the Baltimore Colts and the San Diego Chargers. He was born in Roosevelt, New York and attended Syracuse University. He was the first president of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) following the AFL-NFL merger, serving from 1970 to 1973. Mackey was also a major reason the NFLPA created the "88 Plan", which financially supports ex-players who required living assistance in later years.
Riley Mackey Odoms is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Houston, where he had a highlight year in 1971 with 45 catches for 730 yards and 8 touchdowns after playing sparingly the two seasons prior.
Mike J. Bell is a former American college and professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for twelve seasons during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Bell played college football for Colorado State University, where he earned All-American honors. He was the second overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft, and played for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs for his entire professional career.
The 1988 Los Angeles Rams season was the franchise's 51st season in the National Football League, their 41st overall, and their 43rd in the Greater Los Angeles Area. The team improved on a disappointing 6–9 record the previous year, going 10–6 and qualifying as a Wild Card before losing to the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card game.
Robert James Gronkowski is an American former football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Nicknamed "Gronk", Gronkowski played nine seasons for the New England Patriots, then played his final two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, he is a four-time Super Bowl champion, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-time First Team All-Pro selection, and was selected in the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
The 1974 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1974 Big Ten Conference football season. In their sixth year under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 10–1 record, outscored opponents 324 to 75, and were ranked #3 in final AP Poll. Michigan won the first ten games of the 1974 season in convincing fashion, including blowout victories over Colorado (31-0), Navy (52-0), Minnesota (49-0), and Purdue (51-0). In the final game of the season, #2 Michigan faced #3 Ohio State. The Wolverines lost by a score of 12-10, as place-kicker Mike Lantry missed a last-minute field goal that would have given Michigan a victory.
James Russell Dray is an American football coach and former tight end who is currently the tight ends coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Stanford and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He also played for the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers.
Niles Paul is a former American football tight end. He played college football as a wide receiver at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.
Michael L. Pope is an American former coach in the National Football League (NFL). He is best known as the tight ends coach for the New York Giants, serving on all four of their Super Bowl championship teams.
Blake Bell is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma, where he received the nickname "Belldozer", a play on words due to his large frame and running style.
Nick Vannett is an American football tight end for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State. He has been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Denver Broncos.
David Njoku is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami (FL). He was selected by the Browns in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
George Krieger Kittle is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa and was drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is a four-time Pro Bowler and was a First-team All-Pro in 2019.
Mark Andrews is an American football tight end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma and was drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Andrews has been elected to the Pro Bowl three times and was named to the 2021 All-Pro Team after setting the Ravens' single-season record for receptions and receiving yards.
Blake Andrew Spence is a former American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football for the Oregon Ducks. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1998 NFL Draft.
