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 35) 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 professional football player. He played as a center in the National Football League (NFL). Mike Pouncey played college football for the Florida Gators. While there, he helped his team win a national championship. He also earned All-American honors. The Miami Dolphins picked him in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the Los Angeles Chargers. Mike is the twin brother of another former NFL center, Maurkice Pouncey.

Growing Up 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 lineman for the Lakeland Dreadnaughts football team.

In his senior year (2006), he helped Lakeland High win big. They won their third straight Florida Class 5A state championship. They also won their second straight national championship, as named by USA Today.

Experts like Rivals.com thought Pouncey was a top player. They listed him 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 Football Career

Pouncey (#55) and his twin brother Maurkice Pouncey playing for the Florida Gators in 2008.

Pouncey received a scholarship to attend the University of Florida. He played for coach Urban Meyer's Florida Gators football team from 2007 to 2010.

Freshman Year: A New Position

As a freshman in 2007, Mike started as an offensive lineman. But he had to switch to the defensive line. This happened because several defensive players got hurt. He started four of 13 games that year. He made eight tackles and had one interception.

Sophomore Year: Back to Offense

In his sophomore year (2008), he moved back to the offensive line. He started all 14 games for the Gators at right guard. This included their 24–14 win over the Oklahoma Sooners. That game was the 2009 BCS National Championship Game, where they won the national title.

Junior and Senior Years: All-American Honors

After his junior season in 2009, Pouncey earned special awards. The Associated Press named him an honorable mention All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) player. Pro Football Weekly also named him a first-team All-American.

As a senior team captain in 2010, he changed positions again. He moved from guard to center for the Gators. He took over from his twin brother, Maurkice Pouncey, who had entered the 2010 NFL draft.

Professional Football Career

Mike Pouncey was seen as one of the best center and guard players for the 2011 NFL draft.

Miami Dolphins (2011–2017)

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

The Miami Dolphins picked him in the first round with the 15th overall pick. In his first year, he started all 16 regular season games.

In February 2014, the NFL released a report called the "Wells Report." This report involved Pouncey and some Dolphins teammates in a situation that led to an investigation.

On April 29, 2014, the Dolphins decided to keep Pouncey for an extra year on his contract. On June 23, he had hip surgery. He was expected to recover in three months. He played the entire 2014 season at Guard. He was named to his second Pro Bowl. This made him only the third Dolphin to earn Pro Bowl honors at two different positions.

On April 10, 2015, Pouncey signed a new five-year contract with the Dolphins. It was worth over $52 million. In 2016, Pouncey played in only five games. He had a hip injury and was later placed on injured reserve. The Dolphins released Pouncey on March 15, 2018, after he asked to leave the team.

Los Angeles Chargers (2018–2020)

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

On September 3, 2019, Pouncey signed a one-year contract extension. It was worth $9 million. 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. He retired along with his brother after a ten-season career.

Personal Life

Pouncey playing in a charity softball game in 2015.

Mike Pouncey has an identical twin brother, Maurkice Pouncey. Maurkice was also an NFL center. He was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2010 NFL draft. Mike is one minute older than Maurkice. Mike Pouncey has two children: a daughter named Janiyah (born 2008) and a son named Kayden (born 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