Mike Hegman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mike Hegman

Hegman (58) playing for the Cowboys in 1986
No. 58
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1953-01-17) January 17, 1953 (age 72) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	227 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:	Northside (Memphis, Tennessee)
College:	Tennessee State
NFL Draft:	1975 / Round: 7 / Pick: 173
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (1976−1988)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XII)
Career NFL statistics
Sacks: 21.0 Fumble recoveries: 9 Defensive TDs: 2
Player stats at PFR

Michael William Hegman, born on January 17, 1953, is a former American football player. He was a talented linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Hegman played his entire professional career for the famous Dallas Cowboys team. He also played college football at Tennessee State University.

Early Life and College Football

Mike Hegman didn't start playing football until his final year of high school. He attended Northside High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

He began his college football journey at Alabama A&M University. Later, he moved to Tennessee State University. There, he joined the Tennessee State Tigers football team as a "walk-on" player. This means he joined the team without a scholarship.

Hegman was a teammate of another famous player, Ed "Too Tall" Jones. In 1973, he was the starting middle linebacker for a team that won all 10 of its games. They even won the national championship for historically black colleges. The next year, he set a school record with 158 tackles.

After his junior year, there was some confusion about his eligibility. The Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the 1975 NFL Draft. However, the NCAA (the organization that oversees college sports) later said he was not eligible to play. He missed most of the 1975 college season. Still, he was allowed to play in the Senior Bowl, which is a game for top college players.

Playing for the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys picked Mike Hegman in the seventh round of the 1975 NFL draft. This was the 173rd pick overall. The Cowboys were allowed to keep his rights because it was proven he was eligible for the draft.

Hegman officially joined the NFL in the 1976 season. For his first four years, he mostly played on special teams. These are units that handle kickoffs and punts. He also served as a backup outside linebacker.

One of his most famous plays happened during Super Bowl XIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He took the ball from quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Then, he ran 37 yards for a touchdown after a fumble.

Hegman became the main starting strong-side linebacker in the 1979 season. This happened after the team made a change with another player. In 1985, he missed five games because of a broken arm. Two years later, in 1987, he missed six games with a broken leg.

In 1988, Hegman hurt his right knee before the season started. He was placed on the injured reserve list, meaning he couldn't play. He was later released by the team as they looked for younger players.

Mike Hegman played for 12 years in the NFL. He started 116 games for the Cowboys. He was a very reliable player for their defense for over a decade. During his time, he helped the Cowboys win two NFC Championships. He also helped them win one Super Bowl.