Defensive Tackle
No. 64
Grambling
"The Giants' No. 3 draft choice in 1972, Mendenhall has had an awesome career with the Giants, finally winning due recognition in 1974 when he was named to UPI's All-NFC team and to the Pro Football Writers' All-NFL second unit.
Mendy missed one game with a knee injury, but in the other 13 was as good a defensive tackle as anyone, coming up with 11 quarterback sacks, fumble recoveries, blocked passes and general mayhem against opposing teams. He combines great strength with quickness and agility and usually requires double-teaming. One play against Dallas typified his overall abilities- he knocked down two blockers, got to Calvin Hill and dumped him for an eight-yard loss so hard that Calvin fumbled, with Roy Hilton picking up the fumble to go 71 yards for a touchdown ... and Mendy getting up after the tackle to throw a block to help spring Hilton loose.
A starter since his rookie year, John was named to the All-NFL Rookie team that season. In 1973, he was on his way to All-Pro honors when he went down with a knee injury halfway through the season and underwent surgery. Last year, he had it all together and now ranks as one of the premier tackles in the NFL.
Mendenhall was an Associated Press Little All-American and NAIA choice at Grambling, won four letters and team defensive MVP honors and was a star in the Senior Bowl. He also had a big day in the College All-Star Game in 1972
John was born in Cullen, Louisiana and starred at Charles Brown High School in Springhill, Louisiana and lives in Houston during the off-season."
-1975 New York Giants Media Guide
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