During a 13-year NFL career, Jon Kolb starred as the starting left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During his own nine-year NFL career, Kevin Mack was the bruising running back for the Cleveland Browns.
While they played in two different eras and for two bitter rivals, Kolb and Mack will appear in Warren together on Wednesday, August 1, for the American Cancer Society 35th Men's Golf Championship at Conewango Valley Country Club.
Article Photos
Jon Kolb
Kolb - a four-time Super Bowl champion - will be the event's keynote speaker and will address the crowd at the banquet at the conclusion of the event.
According to Warren General Hospital's Executive Director of Group Medical Services (and former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman) George Lilja, Mack will be an active participant in the golf tournament and will attend the banquet at which Kolb will speak.
Kolb played college football at Oklahoma State where he was named All-Big Eight in 1967 and 1968 and an All-American in 1968. He was drafted by the Steelers in 1969 and became the team's starting left tackle in 1971. He would remain in that position until 1981 and finised his career with 177 career starts and four Super Bowl rings (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979).
During his playing days, Kolb was widely regarded as one of the strongest men in the NFL, protecting quarterback Terry Bradshaw's blind side and opening holes for Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier and John Fuqua.
Later in his career, he would compete in the World's Strongest Man competition, placing fourth in both 1978 and 1979. After his playing career ended, Kolb spent several years as the Steelers' strength and conditioning coach and spent six seasons as Grove City College's defensive coordinator.
Mack played collegiately at Clemson University and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 1st round of the 1984 Supplemental Draft. During his rookie season, the "Mack Truck" would rush for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns while being named to the Pro Bowl. That same season, teammate Earnest Byner rushed for 1,002 yards making them (at the time) just the third set of teammates in NFL history to each surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
Lilja himself played a key role in the accomplishments of Mack and Byner as he was the starting left guard for the Browns that season.
Mack would add a Pro Bowl selection in 1987 and finished his NFL career with well over 5,000 career rushing yards.
The ACS Tournament - in its 35th year - provides an opportunity to "fight cancer on the links." The event - under the direction of chairpersons Anthony Pellegrino Jr. and Rich Gaillard - features four-person teams and shotgun starts will be held at 8 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. The cost is $75 per golfer and that covers green fees, a cart, lunch, dinner and prizes.
According to Warren General Hosptial CEO John P. Papalia, team and sponsorship opportunities are still available for the tournament. To sign up a team or sponsor the event, call the ACS office at 723-5781.