During the off-season, the staff here at GMenHq will be featuring a member of the Giants Ring of Honor on each Monday and Friday. Today’s feature is on: Wellington Mara
Wellington Mara was born 1916 and died in 2005. Wellington’s funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and was attended by Giants from the past and present. Players rumored to have visited with Wellington before he passed included, but are not limited too: Jeremy Shockey, Tiki Barber, Eli Manning, Kurt Warner, Harry Carson, and Pepper Johnson. Wellington is survived by his wife Ann, 11 children, and 40 plus grandchildren.
At the age of nine he was the first ball boy for the New York Giants in 1925. In 1930, Wellington was given an ownership principal in the team. After graduating from college he served as Assistant to the President and Treasurer, 1937; Secretary, 1938–1940; Vice-President and Secretary, 1945–1958; Vice-President, 1959–1965; President, 1966–1990; President and Co-CEO, 1991–2005. For his first 28 years in the organization, he handled the franchise’s football decisions.
Wellington along with his brother Jack are well known for the ground breaking concept of revenue sharing. Without revenue sharing the NFL would not be what it is today. Wellington Mara’s legend is on every football with the simple words: The “Duke.” Wellington Mara was elected to the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame in 1997. While a controlling member of the New York Giants, the Giants won the 1986 and 1990 Super Bowls.