Mike Singletary: Linebacker Eyes Don’t Lie

Mike Singletary: Hall of Fame Chicago Bears Linebacker

Mike Singletary anchored one of the most fearsome defenses in NFL history, translating his record-breaking collegiate success at Baylor into a legendary Hall of Fame career.

Football Bio

October 9, 1958 – Mike Singletary, a linebacker who played for Baylor University from 1977 through 1980, was born. 

The National Football Foundation’s website notes that Mike was a four-year letterman and set a school record for tackles in a season, with 232 as a sophomore, and holds the career record for tackles with 662.

In 1978, during the game against Arkansas, he registered an astounding 35 tackles in a single game.

Needless to say, Baylor named an award for the standout, aptly called the Mike Singletary Ward, for the Senior who brings honor to the school by contributing to Baylor football.

The Britannica.com website records that the Chicago Bears drafted Mike Singletary in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft.

Although he didn’t start until the 8th game of his first season, he earned all-rookie team honors.

He went on to have a brilliant 12-year career with the Bears and was one of the top two tacklers on the team during his last ten seasons, as well as making it to the Pro Bowl in each of those ten seasons.

He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and again in 1988.

The 1985 season was one in which the Bears arguably had the best defense in NFL history, allowing a mere 12.4 points per regular-season game.

On their way to the Super Bowl victory, they outscored their playoff opponents 91-10. Mike Singletary anchored that great defense.

The College Football Hall of Fame inducted Mike in 1995.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame followed that up with an invite to Mike Singletary of their own in 1998, his first year of eligibility.

After playing, Mike transitioned into coaching, including serving as the head coach of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers for a few seasons. [National Football Foundation]

Mike Singletary transformed the middle linebacker position through sheer intensity and unmatched preparation, leaving a permanent legacy on both the college game and the NFL.

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• Holds the Baylor University school record for tackles in a season (232), tackles in a career (662), and tackles in a single game (35).
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1998) in his first year of eligibility.
• Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (1995).
• Super Bowl XX Champion.
• 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1988).
• 7-time First-team All-Pro (1984–1989, 1991).
• 10-time Pro Bowl selection (1983–1992).
• Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (1990).
• Member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
• 2-time Davey O’Brien Memorial Trophy winner (1979, 1980) and 2-time Consensus All-American at Baylor.

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