Football
Looking back on Mr. Mac's winning legacy

By Jayda Evans
Seattle Times staff reporter

SEATAC — He was just one of the band of characters. Surrounded by attorneys, teachers and a magician, William "Mac" McIntosh Jr. was a professional football thrill seeker who saw owning a semipro team as a way to cozy up to the action.

He was the one riding around in a golf cart at games, with his team's Puget Sound Jets logo emblazoned on the back. He cheered so loud, officials threaten to flag the home crowd. He cared so deeply, he sent his players and coaches care packages filled with Jets shirts and shoes one week, and key chains and coffee mugs the next.

Mr. Mac, as everyone called him, was the driving force behind the Jets playing for the Super Bowl of semipro football, the American Football Association championship game tomorrow in Sarasota, Fla.

Only he died before he could see his team reach its dream. While flying home from Las Vegas with his wife and son last month, McIntosh suffered an apparent heart attack in midair. He was 59.

Before his death, McIntosh planned on paying for the Jets' travel and hotel stay in Florida. It was the only way his team, some who held daytime jobs as police officers and counselors, could afford to attend.

"He was the guy that really wanted to go out after this," Jets Coach Ken Austin said. "When he died, we thought all was lost."

McIntosh was a seasoned entrepreneur, president and chief executive officer of the Kirkland Chrysler-Jeep dealership. After he died, his family took over the Jets. They sent letters requesting sponsorship on McIntosh's behalf, giving the trip to Florida new life and meaning.

"We are going to live out his legacy," said Austin of McIntosh, who took over ownership of the team in 2000. "This was his baby, and we are playing this game for him.

"I don't have any doubts, but losing this game would be devastating because he was so special. Winning it ... I would have to find a private corner somewhere because I know it would be a very emotional moment."

The Jets will play the undefeated St. Petersburg (Fla.) Sharks in the title game. But aside from both teams arriving without a loss, a requirement to play in the game, the matchup is slightly lopsided. The Sharks (12-0) have video, roster and scouting reports on the Jets. Puget Sound could barely tell you what color uniforms the Sharks wear, let alone what offense they run.

"We're going in there completely blind," fourth-year quarterback Lance Westendorf said. "We're expecting them to be fast, being a Florida team, but that's about it.

"I like it that way. It's a new experience not knowing what's going on."

In its 22-year history, only three Western Division teams have won the AFA Championship, two were from California, the other from Texas.

On Austin's roster is a handful of former college stars such as Washington alums Toure Butler, a cornerback who joined the team last week after playing in Canada, kicker Sean O'Laughlin, tight end Bryan Pittman and receiver Brian McIntosh, Mr. Mac's eldest son. There's also former Oakland Raider Cory Walker.

"I'm just here to help out any way possible," said Butler, who most likely will play on special teams tomorrow.

The most vocal leader on the field is outside linebacker Dion Alexander, the team captain. Like many on the team, Alexander had an opportunity to play in the NFL, but he ruptured a ligament in his left knee at a league combine. Two years passed before he played football again.

Kind of like the way Mr. Mac made the team feel big-time even without fancy stadiums, private planes and six-figure contracts. According to Austin, McIntosh's wife of 27 years, Helen, and their five children will play a part in seeing that the team continues.

"I was told by the family that the future of the team would be fine," said Austin, who previously paid the team's expenses out-of-pocket. "It'll just be Ms. Mac now."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com.

Copyright © 2002 The Seattle Times Company