American · Houston, Texas · Born 9 October 1958Chicago Bears middle linebacker known as 'Samurai Mike,' the emotional leader of the legendary 1985 Bears defense.
Michael Singletary was born on 9 October 1958 in Houston, Texas, the youngest of ten children of Charles, a street preacher, and Rudell Singletary, and lost two older brothers at a young age, hardships that shaped the intensity and discipline that would come to define his football career. Singletary starred at Baylor University, becoming a unanimous All-American and winning the Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy twice, before the Chicago Bears selected him in the second round, 38th overall, of the 1981 NFL Draft. Singletary, nicknamed "Samurai Mike," became the emotional and tactical heart of the Bears' legendary "46 defence," delivering a famous pregame speech before the 1985 NFC Championship Game so intense that teammates began flipping tables, and helped Chicago win Super Bowl XX that season with a dominant defensive performance. Singletary won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award twice, in 1985 and 1988, and earned ten consecutive Pro Bowl selections across his 12-season career, all spent with the Bears. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, and went on to coach in the NFL, serving as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2008 to 2010.
Bears LB, 'Samurai Mike'
How They Played
Aggressive, intelligent middle linebacker with exceptional instincts and leadership skills
Lasting Impact
Considered one of the greatest middle linebackers in NFL history and architect of the Bears' 46 defense
Career Honours
- Pro Football Hall of Fame 1998
- 2x NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1988)
- Super Bowl XX champion
- 10x Pro Bowl
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 1981–1992 | 179 |
American Athletes