Mike Singletary facts for kids
Singletary with the San Francisco 49ers in 2009
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||
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| Born: | October 9, 1958 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Worthing (Houston, Texas) |
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| College: | Baylor (1977–1980) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1981 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38 | ||||||||||
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| Career: | NFL: 18–22 (.450) AAF: 2–6 (.250) |
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Michael Singletary (born October 9, 1958), also known by his nickname "Samurai Mike," is a famous American football player and coach. He played the linebacker position for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL).
Singletary was a key player for the Bears' powerful defense in the 1980s, which was called the "Monsters of the Midway." He was known as "the Heart of the Defense" because of his intense and passionate playing style. He helped his team win Super Bowl XX. Because of his amazing career, he was welcomed into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. After he stopped playing, Singletary became a coach for several NFL teams.
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Early Life and High School
Mike Singletary was born in Houston, Texas, as the youngest of ten children. His father, Charles, was a local preacher. Growing up, Mike loved watching the Dallas Cowboys play football on Sundays. He looked up to players like Roger Staubach and Lee Roy Jordan.
Mike's family faced sad times. His older brother, Dale, died in a tragic accident at home. Later, his other brother, Grady, who was like a father figure to Mike, was killed in a car accident. These events made Mike determined to succeed.
In high school, Singletary became a star football player at Worthing High School. He played both guard and linebacker and was named to the all-state team. His great performance earned him a scholarship to play football at Baylor University.
College Football Stardom
At Baylor University, Singletary became one of the best college football players in the country. As a linebacker, he was known for making a huge number of tackles. He once made a school record of 232 tackles in a single season.
He was named an All-American twice, which is an honor given to the best college players. He also won the Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy two times. At that time, this award was given to the best player in the Southwest region of the United States. His success in college prepared him for a career in the NFL.
A Legendary NFL Career
Joining the Chicago Bears
In the 1981 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears chose Singletary. He quickly became a starting linebacker and a leader on the team. For 12 years, he was known for his intensity and skill. He almost always led the team in tackles each season. Over his career, he made an incredible 1,488 tackles.
Singletary was chosen for the Pro Bowl, the NFL's all-star game, a record 10 times. He was also named an All-Pro player eight times, which means he was considered one of the very best at his position.
The 1985 Super Bowl Champions
The 1985 season was a special one for Singletary and the Bears. The team had one of the best defenses in NFL history, known as the "46 defense." This defense was designed to let Singletary freely move and make plays. The Bears finished the season with a fantastic 15–1 record.
Singletary was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. In the playoffs, he continued to play brilliantly. The Bears easily won their playoff games and reached Super Bowl XX. In the Super Bowl, they faced the New England Patriots and won the game with a score of 46–10. Singletary played a huge role, recovering two fumbles and stopping the Patriots' offense.
His amazing career led to him being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, which is the highest honor for a football player.
Career as a Coach
After his playing career ended, Mike Singletary wanted to share his knowledge of football as a coach. He started as a linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens and later the San Francisco 49ers.
Head Coach of the 49ers
In 2008, Singletary became the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. He was known for being a very passionate and demanding coach. He famously said, "I want winners!" which became a popular slogan for the team. Under his leadership, the 49ers' record improved. In 2009, he led the team to an 8–8 record, which was their first non-losing season in seven years. He was fired during the 2010 season after the team was eliminated from the playoffs.
Other Coaching Jobs
After leaving the 49ers, Singletary worked as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams. He also had a short time as a head coach for the Memphis Express in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) league before it shut down. He even spent two seasons coaching a high school football team.
Personal Life
Mike Singletary is a devout Christian and an ordained minister. He has said that his faith is very important to him and gives him strength.
He and his wife, Kim, have seven children. His son, Matt, also played college football. Singletary is also a motivational speaker, sharing his life experiences to inspire others.
Images for kids
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Singletary (center) during a game against the St. Louis Rams on November 16, 2008
