Mike Merriweather facts for kids
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | November 26, 1960 Albany, New York, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 220 lb (100 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Vallejo (Vallejo, California) |
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| College: | Pacific | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1982 / Round: 3 / Pick: 70 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Michael Lamar Merriweather (born November 26, 1960) is a former American football player. He was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Mike played college football for the Pacific Tigers. He was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1982 NFL draft. He also played for the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and Green Bay Packers.
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Early Life and College Years
Mike Merriweather was born in Albany, New York. He grew up in Vallejo, California, where he went to Vallejo High School. While in high school, he was a talented athlete. He played football, baseball, and basketball.
After high school, Mike attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton. There, he continued to play college football for the Pacific Tigers. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Playing in the NFL
Mike Merriweather was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1982 NFL draft. He was the 70th player chosen overall.
Success with the Steelers
Mike quickly became a key player for the Steelers. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl three years in a row. These were the 1984, 1985, and 1986 seasons. In 1984, he had fifteen sacks, which was one of the best in the NFL. He was also named the Steelers' Most Valuable Player in 1987.
Moving to the Vikings
After a disagreement about his salary, Mike did not play during the 1988 season. He was then traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1989. In his first game with the Vikings, he made history. He scored the winning points in an overtime game against the Los Angeles Rams. He blocked a punt out of the end zone, which resulted in a safety. This play gave the Vikings a 23–21 victory.
Final Seasons
Mike played for the Minnesota Vikings until 1992. His last season in the NFL was 1993. During that year, he played for two teams: the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers.
Life After Football
After his football career, Mike Merriweather worked as an insurance broker. He lived in Sacramento, California. In 2013, he became the athletic director at Vacaville Christian High School in Vacaville, California. Mike and his wife, Sandra, live in Stockton, California.
Awards and Recognition
Mike Merriweather has been honored for his achievements in sports.
- In 1993, he was inducted into the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame.
- In 2004, he joined the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame.
- In 2012, he was inducted into the Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame.
