J. Earsell Mackbee Funeral Services

Press Release

Monday November 16, 2009

Vallejo, CA - Funeral Services for James Earsell Mackbee former Minnesota Viking is scheduled for Friday November 20, 2009 at 11am PST at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 1735 Enterprise Drive, Bldg 3 Fairfield CA 94533. Mackbee passed away in the presence of family and loved ones on Monday November 9, 2009 at 11:17am, just ten days after a much publicized and dramatic effort to grant his final wish of returning to his hometown of Vallejo, CA.

Public viewing is scheduled for Thursday November 19, 2009 from 3pm-6pm at Wiggins-Knipp Funeral Home, 524 Capitol Street, Vallejo CA. The quiet hour is scheduled for Thursday November 19, 2009 from 7pm-8pm at The True Pentecostal Church, 131 Mendocino Vallejo, CA. The public is invited to pay their respects at any of the above services.

Vallejo family seeks help to grant 'last wish' for Mackbee

Monday, October 26 2009

Earsell Mackbee long ago rose from the projects of Vallejo to compete on one of the grandest stages in sports -- the Super Bowl. Mackbee's Vallejo roots remain strong, even as his once-powerful body is failing him. Mackbee, who played five years with the Minnesota Vikings -- including a trip to Super Bowl IV against the Kansas City Chiefs -- is currently in a Minneapolis convalescent home, four years after a stroke left him partially paralyzed. His health recently took a turn for the worse and doctors inserted a feeding tube. Mackbee's family is rallying to bring him back to the city he still calls home.

Am I going home today?
Saturday, October 24 2009

Critically-ill Former Vikings Star Yearns for Return to Vallejo Roots

Vallejo native, Earsell Mackbee, who played five seasons for the Minnesota Vikings is dying from stroke-related complications at a Minnesota hospice. After suffering the stroke nearly 4 years ago, when his children and family members would visit – Mackbee would often ask “am I going home today?” That common refrain has become the theme for the family as they embark on an all out effort to finally answer his question with a resounding – yes!

Mackbee proud to be a Purple People Eater
January 28, 2005
Earsell Mackbee was a Minnesota Viking for five years. Super Bowl IV was not Earsell Mackbee's proudest moment, but it's still a moment that the former Vallejo High star football player wouldn't trade for the world. How many people, after all, get to become a part of one of the most fearsome defenses in NFL history, mingle with U.S. vice presidents and play in the Super Bowl?

Ex-Super Bowler shares his story

Febuary 4, 2005

FORMER MINNESOTA VIKING Earsell Mackbee, a Vallejo native, speaks Thursday to students at Lincoln Elementary School. Earsell Mackbee can't help but remember growing up in the projects of Vallejo. Four girls in one bedroom. Four boys in the other. And no television. There were, however, sports. And though Mackbee said he "wasn't outstanding in any of them," he played everything from basketball to baseball, football, "marbles and tiddlywinks."