Mike Middleton (American football)

Middleton attended Western Hills High School, where he played as a running back and linebacker. In his senior season, he posted 1,620 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, including a 250-yard, 6-touchdown game against Walnut Hills.

He received All-conference and All-southwest Ohio honors. In his last 2 years he registered 2,742 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also practiced track and field.

Middleton accepted a football scholarship from Indiana University with the plan of being the eventual successor at running back to Anthony Thompson. A chronic injury to his right ankle that he suffered in the Ohio All-Star game, forced the team to redshirt him in his first season.

As a freshman, because of his size and athletic ability, the coaching staff wanted to find a way to get him on the field and converted him into a cornerback, although his body type was considered heavy for the position. As the starter at left cornerback he made 59 tackles (fourth on the team), 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, one interception and one pass defensed.

As a sophomore, he experienced a muscle spasm in the walls of his heart and missed 2 games. He finished the season with a career-high 65 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 passes defensed and one interception. In the season opener he returned an interception 22-yards for a touchdown against the University of Kentucky. He had a career-high 15 tackles against Michigan State University. He also added 8 kickoffs returns for 169 yards (21.1-yard average). As a junior, he had 63 tackles (fourth on the team), 4 tackles for loss and 7 passes defensed (tied for the team lead).

In his last year, he was diagnosed with mononucleosis, which forced him to miss the first 2 games. He still was able to post 58 tackles (fourth on the team), 3 tackles for loss, 3 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He put together a string of double-digit tackle performances over the final three games of the season. He also practiced track and field as a senior.

He was a four-year starter, making 42 starts in 46 games, 245 tackles (18 for loss), 3 sacks, 15 passes defensed, 2 interceptions and one forced fumble.

Middleton was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (84th overall) of the 1993 NFL draft to play safety.{{Cite web |title=1993 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1993/draft.htm |access-date=April 30, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19930719&id=zEVSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LjYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6136,2171361 | title=COWBOYS / Johnson impressed | access-date=April 30, 2023}} He was released before the season started on August 23.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19930824&id=vzJSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ITYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5278,1474160 | title=Broncos trades highlight day of cuts | access-date=April 30, 2023}}

In December 1993, he was added to the Miami Dolphins practice squad. He was signed for the 1994 training camp, but was released before the season started on April 25.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19940426&id=2ighAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TXwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4017,590656 | title=Transactions | access-date=April 30, 2023}}

In 1995, he signed with the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football. He was placed on the injured reserve list on May 11.{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/12/sports/transactions-104095.html | title=Transactions | access-date=April 30, 2023}} In 1996, he returned as the starter at strong safety.{{cite web| url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/mike-middleton-middlmi01 | title=Mike Middleton Stats | access-date=April 30, 2023}}

On July 10, 1996, he signed with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League to play wide receiver/defensive back.{{cite web| url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1996/07/10/snap-is-no-snap-for-predators/ | title=Snap Is No Snap For Predators | access-date=April 30, 2023}} On May 27, 1997, he was traded to the New York CityHawks along with the rights for John Bock in exchange for Curtis Cotton.{{cite web| url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1997/05/28/predators-stick-with-rookie/ | title=Predators Stick With Rookie | access-date=April 30, 2023}}

In 1997, he signed with the New York CityHawks. He was waived on July 23.{{cite news| newspaper=Hartford Courant | title=Transactions | date=July 23, 1997}}

In March 2000, he signed to play for the Augusta Stallions at fullback/linebacker in the inaugural AF2 season.{{cite news| newspaper=The Augusta Chronicle | title=Stallions open training camp | date=March 17, 2000}} On May 12, 2000, he was placed on the injured reserve list after tearing a ligament in his ankle.{{cite news| newspaper=The Augusta Chronicle | title=Stallions face powerful Twisters offense | date=May 13, 2000}}

Middleton became an assistant football coach at Winton Woods High School, helping the school win its first state championship in 2009.

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140611032536/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4126791.html Indiana's Middleton Counts His Blessings]

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Category:1969 births

Category:Living people

Category:Players of American football from Cincinnati

Category:American football safeties

Category:Indiana Hoosiers football players

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Category:Augusta Stallions players