Michael Bates (American football)

Last updated

Michael Bates
No. 81, 83, 82, 24, 20, 29
Position: Return specialist
Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1969-12-19) December 19, 1969 (age 54)
Victoria, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:189 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school: Tucson (AZ) Amphitheater
College: Arizona
NFL draft: 1992  / Round: 6 / Pick: 150
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:145
Kick Returns:373
KR yards:9,110
Return Touchdowns:5
Player stats at PFR
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1992 Barcelona 200 metres
Summer Universiade
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1991 Sheffield 100 metres

Michael Dion Bates (born December 19, 1969) is an American former two-sport athlete who gained fame as a sprinter who won an Olympic bronze medal in the 200-meter dash in 1992. He also played football as a kick returner in the National Football League (NFL), where he was a five-time Pro Bowl selection. He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats.

Contents

Early years

Bates attended Amphitheater High School, where he lettered in football and track. He played as a running back, recording more than 1,000 rushing yards in each of his last three seasons. As a senior, although he played in only 8 games because of an injury, he still managed to run for 1,557 yards. [1]

He set state records in the 100 metres (10.34 seconds) and 200 metres (20.68 seconds). [2] He bypassed his senior season in track, while disputing some scheduling rules by the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

As a senior, he received Parade magazine All-American, The Arizona Republic's male Athlete of the Year and Long Beach Press-Telegram "Best in the West" honors. He was rated by Parade as the second-best prospect in the country at running back behind Terry Kirby.

In 2014, he was inducted into the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame. [3]

College career

Bates accepted a football scholarship from the University of Arizona. He played as a running back and wide receiver with the Wildcats, but was mainly used as a kickoff returner, averaging 23.7 yards on 45 kickoff returns during his college career.

As a true freshman in 1989, he had 14 returns for a 24.1-yard average. As a sophomore in 1990, he ranked among the All-purpose leaders in the Pac-10 and received honorable-mention honors. His 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Washington State University was the fourth-longest in school history. He collected 31 kickoff returns for a 23.5-yard average.

In track, he was voted the Pac-10's Outstanding Male Performer at the conference track championships in 1989 and 1990, winning the 100 and 200 metres. He was also a member of the Wildcats 400-meter relay team that finished second in the 1989 NCAA Championships. His college-best time was 10.17 in the 100 metres.

In 1991, he did not enroll at the school so he could concentrate on his track career. He declared for the NFL draft in 1992.

In 2013, he was inducted into the University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. [4]

Olympics

At the June 1992 US Olympic Trials he finished third, qualifying for the Olympics, edging Carl Lewis by one one-hundredth of a second for the final qualifying spot. [5]

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, his time of 20.38 from the inside lane, put him 0.37 seconds behind gold medal winner Michael Marsh and 0.25 seconds behind silver medalist Frankie Fredericks to win the bronze medal. He set his personal best time in the 200 metres – 20.01 seconds – at the Weltklasse meet in Zürich 13 days after the Olympics.

Personal bests

EventTime (seconds)VenueDate
50 meters 5.75Los Angeles, CaliforniaFebruary 15, 1992
100 meters 10.17Sheffield, EnglandJuly 21, 1991
200 meters 20.01Zürich, SwitzerlandAugust 19, 1992

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump
5 ft 9+3⁄4 in
(1.77 m)		187 lb
(85 kg)		31+7⁄8 in
(0.81 m)		9 in
(0.23 m)		4.48 s1.61 s2.62 s34.5 in
(0.88 m)

Bates was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round (150th overall) of the 1992 NFL draft. [6] Because of contract negotiations, he did not sign with Seattle and held out during the 1992 season, although the time away from playing helped him to reshape his body for football.

On March 7, 1993, he signed an incentive laden contract including a $15k workout bonus, $10k playoff percentage time bonus and over $50k in performance bonus. He was a backup wide receiver, setting a franchise team record with 22 special teams tackles and was a Pro Bowl alternate to Steve Tasker. In 1995, Bates was an exclusive rights free agent where Seattle ended up agreeing to terms with him on a 1-year $700k deal in July. After new head coach Dennis Erickson traded for Ricky Proehl and drafted Joey Galloway, Bates became expendable and was waived August 27. [7]

On August 28, 1995, the Carolina Panthers claimed Bates off waivers only to turn around and trade him the next day to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for linebacker Travis Hill. [8] [9] Bates spent the last 3 games of the season on the inactive list and was not retained. On March 11, 1996, he signed as a free agent with the Panthers and began his great run of seasons with the franchise, [10] returning 33 kicks for 998 yards, with a remarkable average of 30.2 yards per return - and one kick returned for a touchdown.

After five seasons in Carolina, Bates was let go, and the Washington Redskins signed him to a 2-year, $1.33 million contract. At the end of the season he was named a Pro Bowl alternate. He was released on March 12, 2002. On March 25, he was signed by the Carolina Panthers. His season was cut short that year, however, due to a broken right ankle he suffered in preseason against the Dallas Cowboys and was placed on the injured reserve list on August 26.

On March 31, 2003, he re-signed with Carolina but was let go in the final cut-down process for the regular season on August 31. On September 10, Bates was signed by the New York Jets, but a right-hand injury placed him on the injured reserve list on November 11, and he was later released on December 23. On December 26, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys for their playoff run. He was not re-signed after the season.

Bates finished with 9,154 total yards in kick returns and five kick-return touchdowns (the NFL record for kickoff return touchdowns in a career is six). He was selected to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.

Panthers franchise records

As of 2017's NFL off-season, Michael Bates held at least 12 Panthers franchise records, including: [11]

Pro Bowl records

Personal life

His brother Mario played for the Arizona Cardinals and was a second-round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints in 1992 from Arizona State. [12] Another brother, Marion, played college football at Southern California and Arizona.

During his pro day, fellow Arizona quarterback Shane Nagore threw passes to Bates, sprinter James Bullock and running back Napoleon Kaufman in front of scouts from the NFL.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Smith Sr.</span> American football player and broadcaster (born 1979)

Stevonne Latrall Smith Sr., primarily known during his playing career as just Steve Smith, is an American sportscaster and a former professional football player. Smith was a wide receiver for sixteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Carolina Panthers, also playing for the Baltimore Ravens. He played college football for the Utah Utes, and was selected by the Panthers in the third round of the 2001 NFL draft. After retiring from the NFL, Smith became a sports analyst and show host for NFL Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen Rossum</span> American football player (born 1975)

Allen Bonshaca Lamont Rossum is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Gault</span> American football player (born 1960)

Willie James Gault is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Raiders. Considered one of the fastest NFL players of all-time, Gault was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX. He was also a member of the U.S. Olympic team that boycotted the 1980 Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Metcalf</span> American football player (born 1968)

Eric Quinn Metcalf is an American former professional football player in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins and Green Bay Packers. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection for the Browns and the Chargers. He was also the 1988 US Track and Field Champion in the long jump and a two-time NCAA Champion in the same event at Texas. His father Terry was a running back for the St. Louis Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrick Mason</span> American football player (born 1974)

Derrick James Mason is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for fifteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Tennessee Oilers in the fourth round of the 1997 NFL draft after playing college football for the Michigan State Spartans. Following eight seasons with the Oilers franchise, including two Pro Bowl selections, Mason signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2005. He became the Ravens' all-time leading receiver with 5,777 yards from 2005 to 2010. He spent 2011 with the New York Jets and Houston Texans. Mason retired as a Baltimore Raven on June 11, 2012. He was the last active NFL player to have played for the Oilers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Carter (American football)</span> American football player (born 1960)

Anthony “AC” Carter is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 13 years in the United States Football League (USFL) and National Football League (NFL). He made three-consecutive Pro Bowls for the Minnesota Vikings and was honored by Minnesota as one of the 50 Greatest Vikings of all time. Carter played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, finishing his career as a three-time All-American, and a two-time unanimous All-American selection. He is currently third all-time in receiving yards, and second all-time in receiving touchdowns for the University of Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Hester</span> American football player (born 1982)

Devin Devorris Hester Sr. is an American former football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL). The only primary return specialist to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is widely considered to be the greatest return specialist of all time. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he was the first player in the university's recent history to play in all three phases of American football: offense, defense and special teams. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. In addition to Chicago, Hester also played for the Atlanta Falcons, the Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks over his 11-season NFL career. He is also the only player to return the opening kick of a Super Bowl for a touchdown. Hester was selected to the NFL All-Decade Team for both the 2000s and 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Ginn Jr.</span> American football player (born 1985)

Theodore Ginn Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears.

Mark Christopher Jones is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Stewart</span> American football player (born 1987)

Jonathan Creon Stewart is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, earning All-American honors. Stewart was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft with the 13th overall pick. He played 10 seasons with Carolina, making the 2016 Pro Bowl, before spending one season with the New York Giants. Following the 2018 season, Stewart signed a one-day contract with Carolina and retired as a Panther.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domenik Hixon</span> American football player (born 1984)

Domenik Hixon is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Akron. He was also a member of New York Giants, with whom he became a two-time Super Bowl winner against the New England Patriots twice, as well as, a member of the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears.

Aaron Duane Bailey is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist for five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League (NFL). Bailey later played for one season in the XFL (2001) and six seasons in the Arena Football League (2001–2006). He played college football at Louisville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert Bentley</span> American football player (born 1960)

Albert Timothy Bentley is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) and the United States Football League (USFL). Bentley began his professional career in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers and Oakland Invaders from 1984 to 1985. After the USFL folded, he played for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers from 1985 to 1992. Bentley played college football for the Miami Hurricanes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacoby Jones</span> American football player (born 1984)

Jacoby Rashi'd Jones is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Lane College, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played for the Texans from 2007 to 2011. Jones then played for the Baltimore Ravens from 2012 to 2014, and was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2012. He is known for two of the most memorable plays in the 2012 NFL playoffs as a member of the Ravens: catching a 70-yard game-tying touchdown pass in the final seconds of regulation in the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos, which helped lead the Ravens to an eventual 38–35 double overtime victory; and a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers, the longest play in Super Bowl history. He also played for the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 and the Monterrey Steel of the National Arena League in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trindon Holliday</span> American football player (born 1986)

Trindon Jerard Holliday is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football at LSU. At 5'5", Holliday is one of the shortest players in NFL history. He was also a member of the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Weems</span> American football player (born 1985)

Eric Grimes Weems is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver, special teamer, and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats and was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He also played for the Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fozzy Whittaker</span> American football player (born 1989)

Foswhitt Jer'ald "Fozzy" Whittaker is an American former professional football player who was a running back and kick returner for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL), during which time he played in Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers. He also played partial seasons with the Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers, and was on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad for a season. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he was a 2011 first-team All-Big 12 selection, in the special teams as a kick returner, and was named an honorable mention for the 2011 All-Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. He also played in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. He was a member of the Texas track and field team, and participated in the 2010 Big 12 Track and Field Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Roberts (American football)</span> American football player (born 1988)

Andre McXavier Roberts is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He played college football for The Citadel Bulldogs and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2010 NFL draft. Roberts has played for nine teams in his NFL career; in addition to the Cardinals, he has played for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordarrelle Patterson</span> American football player (born 1991)

Cordarrelle Patterson, nicknamed "Flash", is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). A versatile utility player, he plays running back, wide receiver, return specialist, and occasionally on defense. Patterson played college football for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons before transferring to the Tennessee Volunteers, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and the Atlanta Falcons.

References

  1. ↑ "No. 36 • UA's Bates takes bronze at 1992 Olympics" . Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Amphitheater's all-time greatest high school football players" . Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Pima County Sports Hall of Fame" . Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  4. ↑ "University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame" . Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Former sprinter, NFL player visits Mesa Verde". Tucson Local Media. March 6, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  6. ↑ "1992 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  7. ↑ "NFL Transactions" . Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Panthers release Barry Foster" . Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  9. ↑ "NFL Transactions" . Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Transactions" . Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Carolina Panthers Team Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  12. ↑ Brothers in Pro Football Archived 2013-10-20 at the Wayback Machine
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.