Mike Nattiel
{{Short description|American football player (born 1980)}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Michael Nattiel
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 59
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|11|8|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 227
| high_school = Newberry (FL)
| college = Florida
| draftyear = 2003
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 190
| pastteams =
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2003}}–{{NFL Year|2004}})
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 32
| statlabel2 = Tackles
| statvalue2 = 31
| statlabel3 = Interceptions
| statvalue3 = 1
| pfr = NattMi20
}}
Michael Dondril Nattiel (born November 8, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) during the early 2000s. Nattiel played college football for the Florida Gators, and thereafter, he played in the NFL for the Vikings.
Early life
Nattiel was born in Gainesville, Florida in 1980.Pro-Football-Reference.com, Players, [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NattMi20.htm Mike Nattiel]. Retrieved July 17, 2010. He attended Newberry High School in Newberry, Florida,databaseFootball.com, Players, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100218080421/http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=NATTIMIK01 Mike Nattiel]}}. Retrieved July 17, 2010. where he played for the Newberry Fighting Panthers high school football team.GatorZone.com, Football History, 2002 Roster, [http://web.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2002&bio=nattiel.html Mike Nattiel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402035206/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=2002&bio=nattiel.html |date=April 2, 2012 }}. Retrieved March 31, 2011. Nattiel was a three-time Florida Class 3A all-state honoree at linebacker, and was recognized as a high school All-American by SuperPrep, PrepStar and National Blue Chips.
College career
Nattiel accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, and played outside linebacker for coach Steve Spurrier and coach Ron Zook's Gators teams from 1999 to 2002.[http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2011/media_guide.pdf 2011 Florida Gators Football Media Guide] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402035222/http://web.gatorzone.com/football/media/2011/media_guide.pdf |date=April 2, 2012 }}, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 80, 97, 184 (2011). Retrieved August 31, 2011. Nattiel recovered a key fumble in the Gators' Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship victory over the Auburn Tigers in 2000, and was an honorable mention All-SEC selection in 2002.
Professional career
The Minnesota Vikings selected Nattiel in the sixth round (190th pick overall) of the 2003 NFL draft,{{Cite web |title=2003 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}Pro Football Hall of Fame, Draft History, [http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.aspx?story_id=2040 2003 National Football League Draft] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929041554/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.aspx?story_id=2040 |date=September 29, 2015 }}. Retrieved March 18, 2011. and he played for the Vikings from {{NFL Year|2003}} to {{NFL Year|2004}}.National Football League, Historical Players, [http://www.nfl.com/players/michaelnattiel/profile?id=NAT612435 Michael Nattiel]. Retrieved March 7, 2011. In his two-season NFL career, Nattiel played in thirty-two games in a backup role, the highlight of which was an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2003.
Personal life
Nattiel is the nephew of Ricky Nattiel, former standout wide receiver for the Florida Gators and the NFL's Denver Broncos. After his professional career, he returned to the state of Florida to coach football, and returned to his home town Panthers in 2011 as defensive coordinator.Larry Savage, "[http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110723/ARTICLES/110729752/1185?Title=Prep-Pulse-Mike-Nattiel-to-run-Newberry-s-defense Prep Pulse: Mike Nattiel to run Newberry's defense]," The Gainesville Sun (July 23, 2011). Retrieved July 24, 2011.
See also
{{Portal|American football|College football}}
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References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
Bibliography
- Carlson, Norm, University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators, Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia (2007). {{ISBN|0-7948-2298-3}}.
- Golenbock, Peter, Go Gators! An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory, Legends Publishing, LLC, St. Petersburg, Florida (2002). {{ISBN|0-9650782-1-3}}.
- Hairston, Jack, Tales from the Gator Swamp: A Collection of the Greatest Gator Stories Ever Told, Sports Publishing, LLC, Champaign, Illinois (2002). {{ISBN|1-58261-514-4}}.
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Category:Players of American football from Gainesville, Florida
Category:American football linebackers