American · Mexico City, Mexico · Born 1 November 1947Ted Hendricks, nicknamed 'The Mad Stork' for his unusual height and range at linebacker, won four Super Bowl titles with the Colts and Raiders.
Theodore Paul Hendricks was born on 1 November 1947 in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and attended Hialeah High School in Florida before playing college football at the University of Miami, where he earned back-to-back unanimous All-American honours in 1967 and 1968. The Baltimore Colts selected Hendricks in the second round, 33rd overall, of the 1969 NFL Draft, and he developed into one of the most feared and unconventional linebackers in NFL history, standing 6 feet 7 inches and renowned for his exceptional range in pass coverage and shot-blocking ability on field goal attempts. Hendricks, nicknamed "the Mad Stork" and "Kick 'Em in the Head Ted" for his aggressive playing style, won four Super Bowl championships across stints with the Colts, Green Bay Packers, and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, and holds the NFL record for most career safeties, with four. Hendricks earned eight Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro honours across a 15-season career, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, later being named to both the NFL's 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams, remembered as one of the most versatile and durable linebackers the game has produced.
'The Mad Stork', four-time Super Bowl champion linebacker
How They Played
Versatile linebacker with exceptional height who excelled in pass coverage, pass rushing, and creating turnovers with his long reach
Lasting Impact
Revolutionary linebacker who helped redefine the position with his ability to cover receivers and rush the passer at 6'7" tall
Career Honours
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1990)
- 4x Super Bowl champion
- 8x Pro Bowl
- 4x First-team All-Pro
| Team | Period | Games | Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Colts | 1969–1973 | 70 | #56 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1974–1981 | 192 | #59 |
| Oakland Raiders | 1981–1983 | 42 | — |
American Athletes