:Mike Prior

Mike Prior was born on November 14, 1963, in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Prior attended Marian Catholic High School where he played football, baseball, and wrestling.{{cite web |title=Marian Football - Mike Prior presents NFL 50th golden football |url=https://www.marianchs.com/apps/pages/mike-prior-nfl-golden-football |website=Marian Catholic High School |accessdate=October 28, 2020}} In football, Prior starred at running back and defensive back. In his senior season, he was selected to the Chicago All-Area Football Team on both offense and defense.{{cite news |title=1980 Star Publications All-Area Football Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/southtown-star-1980-star-publications-al/143770049/ |access-date=March 20, 2024 |work=Southtown Star |date=November 27, 1980}}

Prior played both football and baseball at Illinois State, setting the school record for batting average at .388.{{cite web |last1=Erickson |first1=Nick |title=Hall of Famer Mike Prior paying it forward to youth players |url=https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2019/11/hall-of-famer-mike-prior-paying-it-forward-to-youth-players/ |website=Illinois State University |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |date=November 21, 2019}} In football, he set the school record in punt return yardage and had his No. 15 jersey retired.{{cite web |title=ISU two-sport star Mike Prior chosen for MVC Hall of Fame |url=https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-state/isu-two-sport-star-mike-prior-chosen-for-mvc-hall-of-fame/article_3550a0af-87cf-523d-8a00-bcbd82ad9f4c.html |website=The Pantagraph |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |date=August 13, 2019}} Immediately following his college career, Prior was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 1985 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=1985 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/draft.htm |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was also drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 18th round of the 1984 draft and by the Houston Astros in the fourth round of the 1986 secondary draft.{{cite web |title=Mike Prior |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=prior-000mik |website=Baseball Reference |accessdate=October 28, 2020}} Prior chose football because it would be easier to raise a family and involve less traveling than working through baseball's minor leagues.{{cite web |last1=Verdun |first1=Dan |title=Throwback Thursday: Mike Prior, Illinois State 2-sport star |url=http://www.chicagonow.com/prairie-state-pigskin/2018/05/throwback-thursday-mike-prior-illinois-state-2-sport-star/ |website=Chicago Now |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |date=May 24, 2018}} He graduated from Illinois State with a degree in business administration.{{cite news |last1=Gleason |first1=Bill |title=Prior's selection fits fine |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62024851/an-article-about-tampa-bay-buccaneers/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=South Bend Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 8, 1985}}

Prior played his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1985. He almost made the starting lineup at safety, but the late add of David Greenwood relegated Prior to mainly special teams action as a member of the Bucs.{{cite news |last1=Brow |first1=Ron |title=Prior concentrating on being specialist |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62025401/an-article-about-mike-priors-special/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Munster Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 11, 1985}} A fractured wrist sustained in a preseason game against the Washington Redskins landed him on injured reserve;{{cite news |last1=Selman |first1=Jim |title=Bucs get closer to limit, waive 8 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62026762/an-article-about-mike-prior-getting/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Tampa Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 26, 1986}} he was waived from that list in October.{{cite news |title=Roll Call |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62026959/a-look-at-the-sports-transactions-of/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Orlando Sentinel |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 3, 1986}}

Prior joined the Indianapolis Colts in February 1987.{{cite news |last1=Hansen |first1=Eric |title=Prior hopes to ride with Colts this season |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62027433/prior-hopes-to-ride-with-colts-this/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Munster Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 26, 1987}} He was cut by the team on September 1, but later returned as a replacement player in the 1987 NFL Strike, starting three games. After the strike ended, the team retained him, initially utilizing Prior on special teams but later moving him up to a defensive starter.{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Jim |title=Prior works to solidify his position |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62028447/a-column-about-mike-priors-newfound/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Indianapolis News |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 18, 1987}} In 1989, Prior intercepted a Bernie Kosar pass and returned it for a touchdown in overtime to help the Colts defeat the Cleveland Browns.{{cite news |title=Colts Notebook |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62028855/a-rundown-of-the-colts-game-on-december/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Indianapolis Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 11, 1989}} He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his exploits.{{cite news |title=Prior named co-grand marshal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62029590/an-article-about-mike-prior-and-a-local/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Kokomo Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 16, 1990}} In 1990, Prior caught his first NFL pass on a successful fake punt attempt.{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Jim |title=Fake punt the real turning point in victory |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62029745/an-article-about-mike-prior-and-rohn/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Indianapolis News |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 17, 1990}} Prior was injured early in the 1991 season, and was placed on the injured reserve list in October.{{cite news |title=Transactions |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62030142/a-look-at-the-happenings-in-the-world/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Jackson Sun |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 12, 1991}} He stayed with team through the 1992 season and then became a free agent.{{cite news |title=Packers, Prior Reach Agreement |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19930416&id=E74fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QtgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1450,2140035 |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Gadsden Times |via=Google News |date=April 16, 1993}}

Prior signed with the Green Bay Packers in April 1993. The team brought him on as a replacement for the recently departed Chuck Cecil.{{cite news |last1=Kessenich |first1=Tom |title=Prior's commitment is strong |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62031065/an-article-about-mike-priors-new/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Oshkosh Northwestern |via=Newspapers.com |date=July 31, 1993}} In his debut season, Prior moved into the punt returner role late in the year when Robert Brooks was injured.{{cite news |title=Unsung hero |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62031303/an-article-about-mike-priors/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 13, 1993}} Injuries in the defensive backfield led to an increased late-season role in 1994.{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Jim |title=Davey, Prior help spark defense's return to form |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62031933/an-article-about-some-surprise/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 12, 1994}} Prior nabbed an interception in Super Bowl XXXI. He was released by the team before the 1998 season but was quickly re-signed.{{cite news |title=Packers resign safety Mike Prior |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62033345/an-article-about-a-batch-of-free-agents/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Kenosha News |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 25, 1998}} The Packers did not re-sign Prior after the season.{{cite news |last1=Demovsky |first1=Rob |title=San Francisco secondary has been the team's weakest link |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62033713/an-article-about-the-defensive/ |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |work=Wausau Daily Herald |via=Newspapers.com |date=November 28, 1999}}

Prior returned to Indianapolis after retiring from the NFL. He served as the athletic director for St. Luke School Catholic School before returning to the Colts in 2005 as the Youth Football Commissioner (now Football Development Commissioner).{{cite web |last1=Bowen |first1=Kevin |title=Former Colts Safety Mike Prior Earns Contribution To Amateur Football Award |url=https://www.colts.com/news/former-colts-safety-mike-prior-earns-contribution-to-amateur-football-a-12883970 |website=Indianapolis Colts |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |date=April 18, 2014}} Prior also serves as an assistant football coach at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.{{cite web |last1=Brahsinger |first1=Ginger |title=As good as gold |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-marian-catholic-initiative-st-1008-20151007-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |date=October 7, 2015}} Prior has three daughters.{{cite web |title=Q&A In The Zone with Mike Prior, Indianapolis Colts Youth Football Commissioner and Marian Catholic Grad |url=https://www.nwitimes.com/sports/q-a-in-the-zone-with-mike-prior-indianapolis-colts-youth-football-commissioner-and-marian/article_c445c444-0be0-573f-b6cf-1b32e45953f8.html |website=The Times |accessdate=October 28, 2020 |date=September 5, 2005}}

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{{Super Bowl XXXI}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prior, Mike}}

Category:1963 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Chicago Heights, Illinois

Category:American football safeties

Category:Illinois State Redbirds football players

Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players

Category:Indianapolis Colts players

Category:Green Bay Packers players

Category:Players of American football from Cook County, Illinois

Category:NFL replacement players