Mike Mandarino
Encyclopedia
Michael Pascol Mandarino (born March 16, 1921 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
– 1985) was an American football
offensive lineman. He is one of only two La Salle Explorers
to enter the National Football League
. Mandarino used the money he earned as a professional football player to enter medical school
, later providing medical services to the team he played for, the Philadelphia Eagles
While playing for the Eagles, Mandarino reportedly attended classes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. He would then rushed to the ballpark to practice under the lights with the Eagles, and after the game on Sundays he would again return to his studies. He repeated this routine in 1945, while as an intern
. he reportedly earned $200 per game.
According to Mandarino, coach Greasy Neale reportedly told him to play tackle after Vic Sears
was injured. Neale stated that "If you are smart enough to be a doctor, you are smart enough to learn two sets of plays". The following week, both of Eagles' centers
, Bap Manzini
and Vic Lindskog
, were injured, so Greasy came back and told Mandarino that he "should be smart enough to learn three sets of plays".
He later taught at La Salle and won international fame for his research in orthopedic surgery
.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
– 1985) was an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
offensive lineman. He is one of only two La Salle Explorers
La Salle Explorers football
The La Salle Explorers football team is a former American football team representing La Salle University. The team competed in the MAAC football league at the Football Championship Subdivision level .-History:...
to enter the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Mandarino used the money he earned as a professional football player to enter medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
, later providing medical services to the team he played for, the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
While playing for the Eagles, Mandarino reportedly attended classes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. He would then rushed to the ballpark to practice under the lights with the Eagles, and after the game on Sundays he would again return to his studies. He repeated this routine in 1945, while as an intern
Intern
Internship is a system of onthejob training for white-collar jobs, similar to an apprenticeship. Interns are usually college or university students, but they can also be high school students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. They may also be as young as middle school or in...
. he reportedly earned $200 per game.
According to Mandarino, coach Greasy Neale reportedly told him to play tackle after Vic Sears
Vic Sears
Victor Wilson Sears was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Oregon State University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1941 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sears is a member of the NFL's...
was injured. Neale stated that "If you are smart enough to be a doctor, you are smart enough to learn two sets of plays". The following week, both of Eagles' centers
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
, Bap Manzini
Baptiste Manzini
Baptiste John "Bap" Manzini was a professional American football offensive lineman and high school football coach....
and Vic Lindskog
Vic Lindskog
Victor J. Lindskog is a former American football offensive lineman in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles.-Background:Victor J. Lindskog was born in Roundup, Montana. He played college football at Stanford University...
, were injured, so Greasy came back and told Mandarino that he "should be smart enough to learn three sets of plays".
He later taught at La Salle and won international fame for his research in orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system...
.