Mike Prior
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Date of birth: | November 14, 1963 | ||||||
| Place of birth: | Chicago Heights, Illinois | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 208 lb (94 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| College: | Illinois State | ||||||
| NFL draft: | 1985 / Round: 7 / Pick: 176 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Michael Robert Prior (born November 14, 1963 in Chicago Heights, Illinois) to Donald and Mary Prior, is a former American professional football player who was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 7th round of the 1985 NFL Draft. A 6'0", 208 lb (94 kg). safety from Illinois State University, Prior played in 13 NFL seasons from 1985 and 1987 to 1998 for the Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, and Green Bay Packers, recording 35 interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries.
Prior was one of the captains of Super Bowl XXXI and intercepted a pass for the Packers thrown by quarterback Drew Bledsoe of the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.
Prior is also a part of one of the most famous Super Bowl highlights. He was the player who clipped John Elway in Super Bowl XXXII sending him spinning himself into Super Bowl history.
Prior attended Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois where he played football under Coach Dave Mattio. His football career started when he played in the Catholic elementary school leagues for St. Kieran Parish in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Prior also starred as the center fielder for the Illinois state championship winning Hale Swanson all-star baseball team. Prior, along with Joe Lira, Mark Finley, Brad Randle, and Mike Heldt eventually lost to national champion Detroit, Michigan.
Prior currently resides in Carmel, IN. He has three daughters (Nicole, Briana, and Paige) and a grandson (Camdyn). He is in charge of the social outreach program for the Indianapolis Colts and is also an assistant football coach at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.