Mike Pouncey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mike Pouncey

Pouncey with the Miami Dolphins in 2011
No. 51, 53
Position:	Center
Personal information
Born:	(1989-07-24) July 24, 1989 (age 36) Ardmore, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	298 lb (135 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lakeland (Lakeland, Florida)
College:	Florida (2007–2010)
NFL Draft:	2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15
Career history
Miami Dolphins (2011–2017) Los Angeles Chargers (2018–2020)
Career highlights and awards
4× Pro Bowl (2013–2015, 2018) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2011) BCS national champion (2009) 2× First-team All-American (2009, 2010) First-team All-SEC (2009) 2× Second-team All-SEC (2008, 2010)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 114 Games started: 114 Total tackles: 10
Player stats at PFR

James Michael Pouncey (born July 24, 1989) is a former American football player. He played as a center in the National Football League (NFL). Mike Pouncey played college football for the Florida Gators. He was part of a team that won a major championship. He also earned special honors as an All-American.

The Miami Dolphins picked him in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the Los Angeles Chargers. Mike Pouncey is the twin brother of Maurkice Pouncey, who was also an NFL center.

Early Life and High School Football

Mike Pouncey was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He went to Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida. There, he was a star player on the offensive line for the Lakeland Dreadnaughts football team.

In 2006, during his senior year, he helped his team win their third straight Florida Class 5A state championship. They also won their second national championship in a row. Experts like Rivals.com saw Pouncey as a top player. He was ranked as the 16th best offensive guard in the country in 2007. He chose to play for Florida over other big schools like Florida State and Michigan.

College Career at Florida

Pouncey (#55) and his twin brother Maurkice Pouncey with the Florida Gators in 2008

Mike Pouncey received a scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville. He played for coach Urban Meyer's Florida Gators football team from 2007 to 2010. In his first year, 2007, he started as an offensive lineman. However, he had to switch to the defensive line because many defensive players were injured.

As a freshman, Pouncey started four out of 13 games. He made eight tackles and even had an interception. In 2008, his sophomore year, he moved back to the offensive line. He started all 14 games for the Gators as a right guard. This included their 24–14 win over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game.

After his junior season in 2009, Pouncey received special recognition. He was named an honorable mention All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) player. He was also a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly. In 2010, as a senior team captain, he changed positions. He moved from guard to center for the Gators. He took over the center position from his twin brother, Maurkice Pouncey. Maurkice had entered the 2010 NFL draft after his junior year.

Professional NFL Career

Mike Pouncey was seen as one of the best center and guard prospects in the 2011 NFL draft. The Miami Dolphins chose him in the first round as the 15th overall pick. He started all 16 regular season games during his first year in the NFL.

Miami Dolphins Years

Pouncey (right) works with fellow Dolphins center Joe Berger in 2011.

In April 2014, the Dolphins extended Pouncey's contract for a fifth year. On June 23, he had hip surgery to fix a torn labrum. He was expected to recover in about three months. He played the entire 2014 season as a guard. He was also chosen for his second Pro Bowl. This made him only the third Dolphins player to earn Pro Bowl honors at two different positions.

On April 10, 2015, Pouncey signed a new five-year contract with the Dolphins. This contract was worth over $52 million. In 2016, Pouncey played in only five games. He was dealing with a hip injury. He was placed on injured reserve in December 2016. The Dolphins released Pouncey on March 15, 2018, after he asked to be let go.

Los Angeles Chargers Years

On March 19, 2018, Pouncey signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The contract was worth $15 million. He started all 16 games as the center for the Chargers in 2018. This season led to his fourth Pro Bowl selection.

On September 3, 2019, Pouncey signed a one-year contract extension. He was placed on injured reserve on October 9, 2019, due to a neck injury. On September 17, 2020, Pouncey was again placed on injured reserve. This was after he had hip surgery that ended his season.

On February 12, 2021, Mike Pouncey announced his retirement from football. He retired alongside his brother, Maurkice. He played for ten seasons in the NFL.

Personal Life

Pouncey participating in a charity softball game in 2015

Mike Pouncey has an identical twin brother named Maurkice Pouncey. Maurkice was also a professional football player. He was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2010 NFL draft. Mike is one minute older than Maurkice. Mike Pouncey has two children. His daughter, Janiyah, was born in 2008. His son, Kayden, was born in 2013.

See also

• 2008 Florida Gators football team
• List of Florida Gators football All-Americans
• List of Florida Gators in the NFL draft
• List of Miami Dolphins first-round draft picks
• List of Miami Dolphins players