1977 Profile: John Mendenhall

Defensive Tackle
No. 64
Grambling
"The Curley Culp of New York. Not tall enough to look over offensive linemen, just strong enough to create his own freeway through them. Mendenhall doesn't fit the pro scout's image of a defensive tackle, but as John Brodie once said, 'There are a lot of funny bodies making it in the NFL.'
Drafted No. 3 in 1972, Mendenhall quickly became a standout. He has been voted all-conference and missed All-Pro in 1973 when mid-season knee surgery ended what had been a spectacular beginning. He may make it yet, regardless of his height.
Born in Cullen, Louisiana, Mendenhall was unstoppable at Grambling. A sensitive man, sometimes outspoken, but couldn't play any better if he was 6-5."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition

"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 in '74 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.
Last year, Mendy was again off to a super start through a 4-2 preseason slate, sacking quarterbacks and even getting an interception against the Steelers. Then, in the season opener, he injured an ankle and was hobbled for the rest of the year despite his efforts to play on one good ankle. He finally went on the injured list for the final three games and missed five games overall and parts of five others. Fully recovered, he should be primed for another All-Pro season.
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 year and underwent surgery.
Last year, Mendy was healthy and when he's healthy, he's outstanding. Playing all 14 games, he led all linemen with 151 tackles (56 solos, 95 assists) and had an interception.
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 Rufus Mendenhall was born in Cullen, Louisiana and starred at Charles Brown High School in Springhill, Louisiana. He lives in Houston during the off-season."

-1977 New York  Giants Media Guide