Mike Morgan (linebacker, born 1988) facts for kids
Morgan with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | January 16, 1988 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Skyline (Dallas, Texas) | ||||||
| College: | USC | ||||||
| Undrafted: | 2011 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Michael Cantrel Morgan (born January 16, 1988) is a former American professional football player. He played as a linebacker in the NFL. Mike Morgan is best known for his time with the Seattle Seahawks, where he even won a Super Bowl championship.
Contents
Mike Morgan's Early Life and High School Football
Mike Morgan grew up in Dallas, Texas. He attended Skyline High School, where he was a star player on the football team. He played as a linebacker, which is a defensive position.
High School Achievements
Morgan was very good at stopping opposing players. In his senior year, he made an amazing 203 tackles. A tackle is when a defensive player brings down the player with the ball. He also had 10 sacks. A sack happens when a defensive player tackles the quarterback before they can throw the ball.
In 2004, he showed his skills even more. He had 98 tackles, 18 sacks, and forced seven fumbles. A fumble is when a player drops the ball, and the other team can try to pick it up. These impressive stats showed he was a talented player from a young age.
College Football Career at USC
After high school, Mike Morgan went to the University of Southern California (USC) to play college football for the USC Trojans.
Starting His College Journey
In 2006, his first year, Morgan was "redshirted." This means he practiced with the team but did not play in any games. It allowed him to train and get stronger without using up a year of his playing eligibility. He had a back sprain that year, which kept him from playing.
Developing as a Player
In 2007, Morgan played as a backup linebacker. He also spent time on "special teams." Special teams are units that play during kickoffs, punts, and field goals. He played in 12 games and made nine tackles.
By 2008, he continued to be a backup and play on special teams. He improved his game, finishing the season with 24 tackles and one sack in 12 games. His hard work paid off.
Becoming a Starter
In 2009, Mike Morgan earned a starting spot. He became the team's starting outside linebacker. This was a big step in his college career, showing how much he had grown as a player.
Mike Morgan's Professional NFL Career
After college, Mike Morgan hoped to be drafted into the NFL. Even though he was not picked in the 2011 NFL draft, he still got a chance to play.
Joining the Seattle Seahawks
In 2011, the Seattle Seahawks signed Morgan as an undrafted free agent. This means a team signed him even though he wasn't chosen in the draft. He worked hard to make the team. However, he was released by the Seahawks on September 3, 2011, during the final roster cuts.
Later that year, he rejoined the Seahawks. He made his first career start on November 11 against the New York Jets. This was a big moment for him, showing he could play at the professional level.
Key Moments with the Seahawks
On March 19, 2016, Morgan signed a new contract to stay with the Seahawks for the 2016 season. However, he faced a challenge when he was placed on "injured reserve" on October 3, 2016. This happened because he had a sports hernia, which is an injury that keeps players from playing.
He worked hard to recover and was activated from injured reserve on December 3, 2016. The very next day, on December 4, 2016, Morgan played in his first game of the season against the Carolina Panthers. On the first defensive play for the Seahawks, Mike Morgan made his first career interception. An interception is when a defensive player catches a pass thrown by the opposing team's quarterback. This was a memorable play for him.
Later Career
On July 31, 2017, Morgan re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks once more. However, he was released again on September 2, 2017. Mike Morgan's career showed his dedication and resilience in professional football.
