Mackey was born in Gladewater, Texas and lived part of his life in Alpine, Texas when his father was a high school coach after leaving the NFL. His family moved back to East Texas before his high school years. As a student he set multiple passing records and was selected to the all-state team in both his Junior and Senior years. Mackey accepted an athletic scholarship to Texas A&M-Commerce where he was to play both Football and Basketball.
College career
Freshman Season
Mackey played for the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions from 1980–1983. As a Freshman in 1980, he backed up All-American and future All-Pro Wade Wilson, a year in which the Lions were NAIA National Semifinalists.
Sophomore Season
Mackey took over at the starting spot during the 1981 season. He led the Lions to a 7–4 record and a fifth-place finish in the Lone Star Conference, throwing for 2.074 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was an Honorable Mention All Lone Star Conference Selection.
Junior Season
As a Junior Mackey threw for 1,667 yards and 11 touchdowns and led the Lions to a 6–4 record, good enough for LSC conference runner-up. He was a First Team All Lone Star Conference Selection and also was named to the Associated Press All-American team.
Senior Season
As a Senior in 1983 Mackey led the Lions to a share of the Lone Star Conference Championship with an 8–2 record, throwing for 1,960 yards and 14 touchdowns and was named the LSC Second Team All-Conference team. During his time in Commerce he established himself as an athletic roll-out passer who was a dual threat either running or throwing the football. His career numbers were 5,814 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes and a 21–10 record as a starter.
NFL career
Mackey was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1984 NFL draft, being selected in the 11th round as the 296th overall pick. In his two-year National Football League career as a backup quarterback for the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, Mackey passed for 729 yards and 3 touchdowns, rushed for 563 yards, and threw 6 interceptions. Mackey started for the Dolphins against the Seattle Seahawks during Week 4 of the 1987 NFL season as a replacement player due to the National Football League Players Association strike.
Kyle Mackey ended his Arena Football League career completing 187 of 346 passes attempted, 2,253 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, only 14 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 81.96.
