July 31, 2008

Manhasset, N.Y. - Marshall University junior tight end Cody Slate is one of 30 players listed on the initial John Mackey Award watch list that was released Thursday by the Nassau County Sports Commission. The award is given annually to the best collegiate tight end; the winner is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee and announced in mid-December.

Slate led Marshall in receiving last year with 66 catches for 818 yards en route to being named All-Conference USA (First-team Media/Second-Team Coaches) and honorable mention All-America accolades from SI.com and CollegeFootballNews.com. During his two-year collegiate career he has already amassed 109 receptions for 1,502 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Pro Football Hall of Fame member John Mackey is considered to be the best to have played the tight end position. A tight end by whom all others are measured, Mackey was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl Championship, his commitment to community and his place in history as the first President of the NFLPA.

The John Mackey Award presented since 2000, lists seven NFL players as alumni: Dallas Clark ('01) of the 2007 Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, two-time Super Bowl Champion Daniel Graham ('02) of the Denver Broncos, Kellen Winslow II ('03) of the Cleveland Browns, Heath Miller ('04) of the 2006 Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Marcedes Lewis ('05) of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Matt Spaeth ('06) of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2007 John Mackey Award recipient Fred Davis of the Washington Redskins.

2008 John Mackey Award Watch List