Ted Hendricks
"The Mad Stork" who became the first Guatemalan-born NFL player and won four Super Bowls across three franchises.
Theodore Paul Hendricks, nicknamed "the Mad Stork" and "Kick 'Em in the head Ted," is a Guatemalan-American former professional football linebacker. Born on November 1, 1947, in Guatemala City to an American father and a Guatemalan mother of Italian descent, he moved to the United States at age 5. He became the first Guatemalan-born player in the NFL, playing 15 seasons for the Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, and Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. A standout at the University of Miami where he was named National Lineman of the Year in 1968, Hendricks is a member of four Super Bowl-winning teams. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
- position
- Linebacker
- primary_team
- Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders
- hall_of_fame_year
- 1990
- all_pro_honors
- First-team All-Pro 5 times, Second-team 2 times
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Hendricks earned his famous nickname "the Mad Stork" during his college days at Miami due to his tall, thin frame. His Baltimore Colts teammate Mike Curtis noted that when the 6'7" Hendricks ran with "those long, skinny legs flapping every which way...he really does look like a mad stork." The moniker stuck through his NFL career, where he was simply called "the Stork." At Miami, he played stand-up defensive end from 1966 to 1968, accumulating 327 total tackles, the most ever by a Miami defensive lineman. Hendricks was raised bilingual and speaks fluent Spanish, having been an honor student at Hialeah High School where he competed in multiple sports. In 1975, Hendricks started all 14 games for the Raiders and was a key player on the team.
In Their Own Story
After being drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the second round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, Hendricks initially played defensive end before coach Don Shula converted him to linebacker. He started 69 consecutive games for the Colts, anchoring a unit that allowed only 6 rushing touchdowns in their Super Bowl V-winning season. In 1974, he was traded to the Green Bay Packers, where he earned consensus first-team All-Pro honors with seven blocked kicks and five interceptions. Following the collapse of the World Football League, Raiders owner Al Davis sent two first-round draft choices to the Packers for Hendricks' rights. In his first year with Oakland in 1975, coach John Madden used him sparingly due to a feud with Davis, starting only five games. However, after Madden eventually started him full-time, Hendricks helped the Raiders win Super Bowl XI and went on to play nine seasons with the team before retiring after 1983.
Reader's Guide
Hendricks played in three distinct defensive schemes across his career: as a stand-up defensive end at Miami, converting to linebacker for the Colts under Don Shula, and adapting to both weakside and strongside linebacker roles for the Raiders. In Oakland's 3-4 defense, he often played weakside while Phil Villapiano took the strongside; when Villapiano was injured in 1977, Hendricks moved back to strongside. The Ted Hendricks Award is now given annually to college football's top defensive end, presented by his own foundation.
Did You Know?
- Hendricks was the first Guatemalan-born player in the NFL.
- He made 327 total tackles at Miami, the most ever by a Miami defensive lineman.
- Hendricks started all 14 games for the Raiders in 1975 and was a key player.
- He is bilingual and speaks fluent Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ted Hendricks?
He was a legendary linebacker nicknamed The Mad Stork who played fifteen seasons in the NFL. Born in Guatemala City, he became the first player from that nation to reach the professional league.
Which teams did Hendricks play for during his career?
Hendricks began with the Baltimore Colts and Green Bay Packers before joining the Oakland Raiders. He is best known for his tenure with the Raiders where he helped build a championship defense.
How many Super Bowls did Ted Hendricks win?
He secured four Super Bowl victories throughout his career while playing for three different franchises. This record highlights his consistency and impact as an elite defensive player across multiple eras.
What major honors did he receive after retiring?
Hendricks was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 to recognize his outstanding contributions. During his active years, he also earned First-team All-Pro status five times for his defensive prowess.
Why is Ted Hendricks important to Raiders history?
His aggressive style and leadership defined the team's defensive identity during their golden era of dominance. Fans remember him as a cornerstone of the championship squads from the 1970s who set an intimidating tone on the field.
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