Mack Strong

Infobox NFLretired


position =Fullback
number =38
birthdate =birth date and age|1971|9|11
Fort Benning, Georgia
debutyear =1993
finalyear =2007
undraftedyear =1993
college =Georgia
teams =
* Seattle Seahawks (1993-2007)
stat1label =Rushing Yards
stat1value =909
stat2label =Average
stat2value =4.0
stat3label =Touchdowns
stat3value =15
highlights =
* 2x Pro Bowl Selection (2005, 2006)
* All-Pro Selection (2005)

Mack Carlington Strongcite web|title=Strong on Pro-Football-Reference |work=pro-football-reference.com |url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StroMa00.htm |accessdate=2008-01-31] (born September 11, 1971 in Fort Benning, Georgia) is football sportscaster for Fox Sports Northwest. He was a professional American football fullback and running back coach for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1993. He played college football at the University of Georgia.

Strong was selected the Pro Bowl twice in his career, in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, he announced his intention to retire due to a neck injury and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Early years

Strong attended Brookstone School in Columbus, Georgia and was a letterman in football, basketball, and track. In football, he had 4,414 rushing yards and 83 touchdowns during his career.

Football career

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia, Strong played his entire 15 year career with the Seahawks. He has blocked for three 1,000-yard rushers: Chris Warren, Ricky Watters, and Shaun Alexander. He holds the Seahawks team record for longest rush in a playoff game with a 32 yard run during the 2005 divisional playoff game against the Washington Redskins.

In 2005 Strong was selected to his first NFL Pro Bowl and chosen as an "Associated Press" All-Pro. He was known as one of the best blocking fullbacks in the NFL. Strong was again selected to the Pro Bowl in 2006.

Retirement

During week five of the 2007 season Strong suffered a herniated disk in his neck that was causing trauma to his spinal cord against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The injury was said not to be paralysis threatening if Strong discontinued his playing of football. On October 8, 2007, Strong announced his retirement after 15 seasons due to this injury. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3054911 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3054911] ] After discussions with head coach Mike Holmgren, he was able to take on a position assisting the team's running backs. While being interviewed on Monday Night Football on November 12, 2007 he hinted at a possible future in the broadcast booth.

Broadcasting career

On July 30, 2008, Fox Sports Northwest announced that Strong would be joining the network's talent team. In addition to providing insight and commentary on FSN's Seahawks coverage, he also was given his own show, titled "Mack Strong: Seahawks Insider". [ [http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2008/07/30/mack_strong_joining_fsn http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2008/07/30/mack_strong_joining_fsn] ]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.seahawks.com/Team/Players.aspx?id=12862 Seattle Seahawks bio]