East New York Street Co-Named After Former NYCHA Resident, NFL Official 

A street outside of Brooklyn’s Linden Houses has been co-named “Wayne Mackie Way” in honor of the former longtime resident and NFL official who passed away at age 62 in 2022. 

On September 7, East New York community members, family, and friends were joined by City Councilmember Chris Banks to celebrate Mr. Mackie’s legacy with a street co-naming ceremony. A new honorary street sign was unveiled at the intersection of Van Siclen and Wortman avenues, near where Mr. Mackie grew up at Linden Houses.  

Mr. Mackie, who served as an NFL head linesman from 2007 through 2016, officiated at Super Bowl 50 and was one of the first officials involved with the NYCHA/NFL Football Officiating Academy. He officiated NFL games at the same time he served as the Director of Operations for the Division of Neighborhood Preservation at the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). 

“Commemorating Wayne Mackie’s legacy by co-naming the street where he grew up as ‘Wayne Mackie Way’ is the least we can do to recognize the profound impact and positive influence that Wayne Mackie had on those from the 42nd Council District,” said Councilmember Banks, who sponsored the recognition.  

Mr. Mackie was remembered as a public servant who shared his love of football with his passion for giving back to his community. He was among the first officials to participate in the former NYCHA/NFL Football Officiating Academy, an eight-week, co-ed program for NYCHA residents ages 17 to 30 that taught participants the skills needed to become a football official.  

Linden Houses Resident Association President Carol Barnes called it a “great honor” to pay tribute to the late Mr. Mackie’s contributions to the local community.  

“When I took office and learned of his passing, this initiative became one of my top priorities,” she noted of the street co-naming. “I worked closely with Councilmember Banks and his team to make this a reality, and we succeeded.” 

In addition to Super Bowl 50 in 2016, Mr. Mackie officiated eight playoff games and two conference championships during his NFL career, before transitioning to a corporate position as a vice president in the NFL’s officiating department. Roger Mackie, Wayne’s brother, said the dedication of the Wayne Mackie street sign in his old neighborhood “reflects the lasting impact he had on all of us.”  

“My family and I wholeheartedly support the co-naming of Wortman Avenue and Van Siclen Avenue to ‘Wayne Mackie Way,’” Roger Mackie said. “Wayne was an exceptional man, not only to our family but to the entire East New York community and in his professional life.”  

Featured photo caption: Councilmember Chris Banks (far right) joins community members in East New York for the dedication of the honorary street sign for “Wayne Mackie Way” near Linden Houses. (courtesy of Councilmember Banks’ office)