Sony Michel
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Sony Michel
| image = Sony Michel Jan 2018.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Michel with the Georgia Bulldogs in 2018
| current_team =
| number = 26, 25, 20
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|2|17}}
| birth_place = Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 215
| high_school = Heritage (Plantation, Florida)
| college = Georgia (2014–2017)
| draftyear = 2018
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 31
| pastteams =
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2018|2020}})
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
| highlights =
- 2× Super Bowl champion (LIII, LVI)
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 3,243
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 4.2
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 18
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 56
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 439
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 2
| pfr = MichSo00
}}
Sony Michel (born February 17, 1995) is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/draft.htm |access-date=October 27, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During his first season with the Patriots, he was a member of the team that won Super Bowl LIII, and scored the game's only touchdown. After two more seasons with the Patriots, Michel spent the 2021 season with Los Angeles Rams, winning Super Bowl LVI, and his final season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Early life
Michel's parents emigrated from Haiti.{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2015 |title=Sony Michel: Born To Play |url=http://www.georgiadogs.com/news/2015/10/8/Sony_Michel_Born_To_Play.aspx |access-date=August 12, 2017 |website=Georgia Dogs}} Michel attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he was the starting running back for the American Heritage Patriots, beginning in his eighth-grade year there.{{Cite web |last=Furones |first=David |date=April 26, 2018 |title=American Heritage standout Sony Michel selected by Patriots in first round |url=http://www.latimes.com/fl-sp-sony-michel-nfl-draft-20180426-story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004062436/http://www.latimes.com/fl-sp-sony-michel-nfl-draft-20180426-story.html |archive-date=October 4, 2018 |access-date=October 3, 2018 |website=Los Angeles Times}} As an eighth grader, he was named the Sun Sentinel 3A-2A-2B-1A-1B Player of the Year after rushing for 1,825 yards and 20 touchdowns, including a 281-yard performance against North Broward Prep.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/167229117/|title=Football; Players of the Year|work=Sun Sentinel|date=December 30, 2009|access-date=March 4, 2025|page=6|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} As a senior, Michel rushed for 1,833 yards and 24 touchdowns. Over three years playing on varsity,{{cn|date=March 2025}} he rushed for 4,758 yards and 63 touchdowns. He was rated by Rivals.com as a five-star recruit and was ranked as the third-best running back and 13th-best player overall.{{Cite web |title=Sony Michel, 2014 Running Back |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/maple/18352 |access-date=October 27, 2022 |website=Rivals.com}} Michel committed to the University of Georgia on April 26, 2013, to play college football.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Kipp |date=April 26, 2013 |title=Georgia adds No. 2 RB Michel to backfield |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/9215791/georgia-bulldogs-add-rb-recruit-sony-michel-backfield |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Kurtenbach |first=Dieter |date=April 26, 2013 |title=American Heritage RB Sony Michel commits to Georgia |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/recruiting/sfl-american-heritage-rb-sony-michel-commits-to-georgia-20130426-story.html |access-date=October 3, 2018 |website=Sun-Sentinel |language=en}}
Michel also competed in track and field at American Heritage; as a sophomore in 2011, he earned first-place finishes in both the 100-meter dash (10.99s) and 200-meter dash (21.91s) at the FHSAA 2A District Meet.{{Cite web |title=FHSAA 2A District 14 Championships – Day 1 – Track & Field Meet |url=http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/133913 |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Athletic.net}} He posted a personal-best time of 10.64w in the 100-meter dash at the 3rd Annual Miramar Invitational, where he placed first.{{Cite web |title=3rd Annual Mirimar Invitational – Track & Field Meet |url=http://www.athletic.net:8081/TrackAndField/meet/122670 |website=Athletic.net}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
College career
As a true freshman at Georgia in 2014, Michel played in eight games and made one start. He missed five games due to a fractured shoulder blade.{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2015 |title=Georgia's Sony Michel confirms twice fractured shoulder blade, but now healthy |url=https://www.macon.com/sports/college/university-of-georgia/bulldogs-beat/article30901374.html |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Macon.com}} He rushed for 410 yards on 64 carries with five rushing touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Paschall |first=David |date=August 7, 2015 |title=Georgia's Sony Michel hoping for healthier second season |url=http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/college/story/2015/aug/07/georgias-michel-hoping-healthier-second-seaso/318624/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Times Free Press}} Michel entered 2015 as a backup to Nick Chubb, but earned extensive playing time.{{Cite web |last=Ching |first=David |date=September 25, 2015 |title=Georgia's Sony Michel more than just Nick Chubb's backup |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/107214/georgias-sony-michel-more-than-just-nick-chubbs-backup |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Riley |first=Connor |date=September 17, 2015 |title=Georgia figuring out ways to get Sony Michel on the field |url=http://savannahnow.com/sports/2015-09-17/georgia-figuring-out-ways-get-sony-michel-field |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Savannah Now}} After Chubb was injured in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers, Michel took over as the starter and ran for 145 yards.{{Cite web |last=Weiszer |first=Marc |date=October 10, 2015 |title=UGA RB Sony Michel carries the load at Tennessee, but fumble haunts him |url=http://onlineathens.com/sports/college-sports/2015-10-10/uga-rb-sony-michel-carries-load-tennessee-fumble-haunts-him |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Online Athens}} In the 2016 season, Michel totaled 840 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 22 receptions for 149 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Sony Michel 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sony-michel-1/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=October 29, 2018 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}
In 2017, with true freshman Jake Fromm starting at quarterback for the Bulldogs, the team relied heavily on its senior running backs, Chubb and Michel, to carry the load. Despite remaining second in the depth chart behind Chubb, and receiving only two-thirds as many carries as Chubb, Michel had a breakout year, finishing with 1,227 rushing yards (156 carries), only 118 yards fewer than Chubb's 1,345 (223 carries). In a blowout game against Vanderbilt on October 7, Michel rushed for 150 yards and a score on only 12 carries.{{Cite web |title=Georgia vs. Vanderbilt – Game Recap – October 7, 2017 – ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/400933885 |access-date=January 10, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}} Three weeks later, in an October 28 rout of Florida, Michel rushed for 137 yards on only 6 carries, scoring twice on runs of 74 yards and 45 yards.{{Cite web |title=Georgia vs. Florida – Game Recap – October 28, 2017 – ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400933898 |access-date=January 10, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}
Michel's biggest game of the year came on New Year's Day against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, Georgia's first-ever College Football Playoff game. Carrying the ball only 11 times, Michel ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns, including a walk-off 27-yard rushing touchdown from the "Wild Dawg" formation (direct snap to Michel) to end the game in double overtime.{{Cite web |title=Georgia vs. Oklahoma – Game Recap – January 1, 2018 – ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400953412 |access-date=January 10, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}} He also added four receptions for 41 yards and a fourth touchdown. For his performance, Michel was named Rose Bowl Offensive MVP.{{Cite web |last=Schroeder |first=George |date=January 1, 2018 |title=Georgia survives Oklahoma in classic, back-and-forth Rose Bowl in double overtime |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2018/01/01/rose-bowl-oklahoma-georgia-college-football-playoff-semifinal/994762001/ |access-date=January 10, 2018 |website=USA TODAY |language=en}}
Chubb and Michel's 326 combined rushing yards in the Rose Bowl gave them a combined 8,259 career rushing yards, surpassing Eric Dickerson and Craig James' NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision record of 8,192.{{Cite web |last=Skiver |first=Kevin |date=January 2, 2018 |title=Georgia's Nick Chubb, Sony Michel surpass FBS rushing record in Rose Bowl win |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/georgias-nick-chubb-sony-michel-surpass-fbs-rushing-record-in-rose-bowl-win/ |access-date=January 10, 2018 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 2014 | Georgia
| 8 || 64 || 410 || 6.4 || 75 || 5 || 7 || 106 || 15.1 || 33 || 1 | ||||||||||
| 2015 | Georgia
| 13 || 219 || 1,136 || 5.3 || 66 || 8 || 26 || 270 || 10.4 || 48 || 3 | ||||||||||
| 2016 | Georgia
| 12 || 152 || 840 || 5.5 || 42 || 4 || 22 || 149 || 6.8 || 33 || 1 | ||||||||||
| 2017 | Georgia
| 14 || 156 || 1,227 || 7.9 || 55 || 16 || 9 || 96 || 10.7 || 11 || 1 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2"|[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sony-michel-1.html Career] | 47 | 590 | 3,613 | 6.1 | 75 | 33 | 64 | 621 | 9.7 | 48 | 6 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10 5/8
| weight = 214
| dash = 4.54
| ten split = 1.56
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle = 4.21
| cone drill =
| vertical =
| broad ft =
| broad in =
| bench = 22
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 31 1/4
| hand span = 9 1/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2018 |title=NFL Draft Prospect Profile – Sony Michel |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/sony-michel?id=32462018-0002-5598-42ba-9c934f655275 |access-date=March 1, 2018 |website=nfl.com}}{{Cite web |title=Georgia RB Sony Michel : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile |url=http://www.draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=130729&DraftYear=2018 |access-date=May 12, 2018 |website=NFLDraftScout.com}}
}}
=New England Patriots=
==2018 season==
{{See also|2018 New England Patriots season}}
Michel was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft with the 31st overall pick.{{Cite web |last=Sessler |first=Marc |date=April 26, 2018 |title=Patriots bolster offense with electric RB Sony Michel |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-bolster-offense-with-electric-rb-sony-michel-0ap3000000929166 |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=NFL.com}} He was the third running back to be selected that year.{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/draft.htm |access-date=October 3, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In addition, he was the third of six Georgia Bulldogs to be selected that year.{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2018 |title=Six Bulldogs Selected in 2018 NFL Draft |url=https://georgiadogs.com/news/2018/4/28/football-six-bulldogs-selected-in-2018-nfl-draft.aspx |access-date=November 2, 2018 |website=University of Georgia |language=en}} Michel and Isaiah Wynn were the first pair of college teammates selected by the same team in the first round since Auburn players Jason Campbell and Carlos Rogers were taken in the 2005 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Sam |date=April 26, 2018 |title=Sony Michel, Isaiah Wynn building Georgia to Patriots pipeline |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/article/nfl-draft-2018-sony-michel-isaiah-wynn-building-georgia-to-patriots-pipeline-117737330/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=24/7 Sports}}
Michel suffered a knee injury in training camp causing him to miss the entire preseason and the season-opener against the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Tanya Ray |date=August 17, 2018 |title=Report: Sony Michel's procedure was due to a meniscus issue |url=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2018/08/17/new-england-patriots-sony-michel-procedure-was-due-to-a-meniscus-issue/ |access-date=September 17, 2018 |website=Patriots Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}} He made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He rushed 10 times for 34 yards and had a six-yard reception in the 31–20 road loss.{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2018 |title=Patriots Fall To Jaguars 31–20 |url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/09/16/patriots-fall-to-jaguars-31-20/ |access-date=January 22, 2019 |website=CBS – Boston |language=en}} Two weeks later against the Miami Dolphins, he had a breakout game with 26 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown in the 38–7 victory.{{Cite web |last=Dunphy |first=Mark |date=September 30, 2018 |title=After his 112-yard breakout performance, Sony Michel can 'pretty much do it all' |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2018/09/30/sony-michel-patriots-dolphins |access-date=October 3, 2018 |website=Boston.com |language=en-US}} Michel became the first rookie to top 100 rushing yards in a game for the Patriots since Brandon Bolden in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Ventura |first=Dan |date=September 30, 2018 |title=Patriots rookie RB Sony Michel enjoys breakout game |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/2018/10/patriots_rookie_rb_sony_michel_enjoys_breakout_game |website=Boston Herald}} In the next game against the Indianapolis Colts, Michel rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots won 38–24.{{Cite web |last=Clements |first=Devon |date=October 5, 2018 |title=Sony Michel already racking up Patriots' rookie milestones |url=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/05/sony-michel-already-racking-up-patriots-rookie-milestones/ |access-date=October 10, 2018 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}} In the next game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a narrow 43–40 victory on Sunday Night Football.{{Cite web |last=Princiotti |first=Nora |date=October 14, 2018 |title=The Chiefs left too much time, and Tom Brady did what Tom Brady has always done |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2018/10/14/chiefs-patriots-live-updates-and-analysis/IOBajq8s6JDYiYPQudJ1mJ/story.html |access-date=October 29, 2018 |website=BostonGlobe.com}} In the process, Michel became the first New England rookie to score on the ground twice in a game since Laurence Maroney in 2006.{{Cite web |last=Clements |first=Devon |date=October 15, 2018 |title=Instant analysis of Patriots' 43–40 shootout win over Chiefs on SNF |url=https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/14/new-england-patriots-instant-analysis-to-patriots-43-40-shootout-win-over-chiefs/ |access-date=July 23, 2019 |website=Patriots Wire|publisher=USA Today}} During a Week 12 27–13 road victory over the New York Jets, he ran for a career-high 133 yards and a touchdown, the most rushing yards by a Patriot rookie since Brandon Bolden ran for 137 yards in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Scalavino |first=Erik |date=November 25, 2018 |title=Game Recap: Reasons to be thankful |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/game-recap-reasons-to-be-thankful |access-date=March 25, 2019 |website=Patriots.com}} This game was his third time breaking the century mark, making him the first Patriots rookie since Robert Edwards did so in 1998.{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2018 |title=Game Notes: Patriots register 18th straight season with at least a .500 record |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/game-notes-patriots-register-18th-straight-season-with-at-least-a-500-record |access-date=July 23, 2019 |website=Patriots.com}} In a Week 16 victory against the Buffalo Bills, Michel had 18 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots – December 23rd, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201812230nwe.htm |access-date=January 30, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Michel finished his rookie year with 931 rushing yards and six touchdowns along with seven receptions for 50 yards.{{Cite web |title=Sony Michel 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MichSo00.htm |access-date=January 30, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Patriots finished atop the AFC East with an 11–5 record and earned the No. 2 seed for the American Football Conference (AFC) Playoffs, including a first-round bye.{{Cite web |title=2018 New England Patriots Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2018.htm |access-date=January 30, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Chargers, Michel had 24 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns in a 41–28 victory.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Rich |date=January 13, 2019 |title=Rookie Sony Michel powers Patriots past Chargers |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/01/13/rookie-sony-michel-powers-patriots-past-chargers/ |access-date=January 30, 2019 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}} During the AFC Championship against the Chiefs, he ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in the 37–31 overtime road victory.{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Phil |date=January 21, 2019 |title=Patriots go on the run to extend their run |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/patriots-turn-back-clock-grind-it-out-running-game-against-chiefs |access-date=January 30, 2019 |website=NBC Sports Boston}} Michel broke the NFL record for most playoff rushing touchdowns for a rookie, scoring five between the divisional and conference championship games.{{Cite web |last=Bratton |first=Michael Wayne |date=January 21, 2019 |title=Sony Michel has already set rookie rushing touchdown mark in NFL postseason history |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/georgia-football/sony-michel-new-england-patriots-georgia-bulldogs-super-bowl-53-nfl-record-rookie/ |access-date=January 30, 2019 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}} On February 3, 2019, he scored the only touchdown of Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams, carrying 18 times for a game-leading 94 yards. The go-ahead touchdown occurred in the middle of the fourth quarter in the 13–3 victory. Michel was the leading rusher in the game{{Cite web |last=Wesseling |first=Chris |date=February 3, 2019 |title=Patriots defeat Rams 13–3 in Super Bowl LIII |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-defeat-rams-13-3-in-super-bowl-liii-0ap3000001016157 |access-date=October 18, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} and extended his rookie postseason rushing record to six touchdowns in three games; he scored six touchdowns in 13 regular-season games.{{Cite web |date=February 3, 2019 |title=Super Bowl 53: UGA's Sony Michel sets rookie postseason TD record |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/super-bowl-uga-sony-michel-sets-rookie-postseason-record/Bx0rZ46ge8oxBj8vXTFjgM/ |access-date=March 25, 2019 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}} Only Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis has rushed for more touchdowns in a single postseason than Michel; Davis scored eight touchdowns in four games in the 1997 postseason.{{Cite web |title=NFL Rushing Touchdowns Single-Season Playoffs Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_td_single_season_playoffs.htm |access-date=July 13, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Michel is the first player since Davis with more than four rushing touchdowns in one postseason.{{Cite web |title=Most rushing touchdowns in a single postseason, NFL history |url=http://pfref.com/tiny/bMRPk |access-date=July 28, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2019 season==
{{See also|2019 New England Patriots season}}
File:Brady and Michel.png in the AFC wild card game against the Tennessee Titans ]]
During Week 2 against the Dolphins, Michel rushed 21 times for 83 yards and his first rushing touchdown of the season in the 43–0 shutout road victory.{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2019 |title=Newcomer Brown scores as Patriots beat Dolphins 43–0 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127862 |access-date=September 15, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} Three weeks later against the Washington Redskins, he rushed 16 times for 91 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 32 yards in the 33–7 road victory.{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2019 |title=Brady carries unbeaten Patriots past winless Redskins 33–7 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127864 |access-date=October 6, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} Two weeks later against the Jets, Michel rushed 19 times for 42 yards and three touchdowns in the 33–0 shutout road victory.{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2019 |title=Patriots blitz Darnold, Jets 33–0 to remain undefeated |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127894 |access-date=October 20, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}
Overall, Michel finished the 2019 season with 247 carries for 912 rushing yards and seven touchdowns along with 12 receptions for 94 yards.{{Cite web |title=Sony Michel 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MichSo00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=January 2, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2020 season==
{{See also|2020 New England Patriots season}}
Michel was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp on August 2, 2020.{{Cite web |last=DeArdo |first=Bryan |date=August 4, 2020 |title=Patriots place running back Sony Michel, receiver Mohamed Sanu on PUP list, per report |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/patriots-place-running-back-sony-michel-receiver-mohamed-sanu-on-pup-list-per-report/ |access-date=August 4, 2020 |website=CBSSports.com}} He was activated from the list on August 26.{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Tyler |date=August 26, 2020 |title=Sony Michel returns to Patriots practice, setting up intriguing position battle with Damien Harris |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sony-michel-returns-to-patriots-practice-setting-up-intriguing-position-battle-with-damien-harris/ |access-date=August 27, 2020 |website=CBSSports.com}} In Week 3, Michel recorded 140 scrimmage yards (117 rushing, 23 receiving) in the 36–20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.{{Cite web |title=Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots – September 27th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009270nwe.htm |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was placed on injured reserve on October 5, 2020, with a quadriceps injury.{{Cite web |last=Callahan |first=Andrew |date=October 5, 2020 |title=Patriots place Sony Michel, Cody Davis on injured reserve |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/10/05/patriots-place-sony-michel-cody-davis-on-injured-reserve/ |access-date=October 25, 2020 |website=BostonHerald.com}} He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Patriots on October 17, 2020,{{Cite web |last=Reiss |first=Mike |date=October 17, 2020 |title=New England Patriots place Sony Michel, Shaq Mason, Derek Rivers on reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30134085/new-england-patriots-place-sony-michel-shaq-mason-derek-rivers-reserve-covid-19-list |access-date=October 31, 2020 |website=ESPN.com}} and removed from the list back to injured reserve on October 31.{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2020 |title=Patriots' Sony Michel: Removed from COVID-19 list |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/patriots-sony-michel-removed-from-covid-19-list/ |access-date=October 31, 2020 |website=CBSSports.com}} He was activated off of injured reserve on November 21, 2020.{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2020 |title=Patriots make a series of roster transactions |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-a-series-of-roster-transactions-x5662 |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Patriots.com}} Despite being activated, Michel had limited playing time after second year running back Damien Harris played well when Michel was out and took over as the starting running back. However, Michel got more playing time after an injury to Harris. In Week 17 against the Jets, Michel carried the ball 16 times for 76 yards, and caught three passes for 60 yards and his first career receiving touchdown during the 28–14 win.{{Cite web |title=New York Jets at New England Patriots – January 3rd, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101030nwe.htm |access-date=January 8, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Overall, Michel finished the 2020 season with 449 rushing yards and one touchdown, along with seven receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Sony Michel 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MichSo00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
=Los Angeles Rams (first stint)=
Michel was traded to the Rams on August 25, 2021, in exchange for a fifth and sixth round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2021 |title=Patriots Trade RB Sony Michel to LA Rams |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-trade-rb-sony-michel-to-la-rams |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Patriots.com |language=en-US}} In Week 13, against the Jaguars, he had 24 carries for 121 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in the 37–7 victory.{{Cite web |title=Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Rams – December 5th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202112050ram.htm |access-date=October 27, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 16, against the Minnesota Vikings, he had 27 carries for 131 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the 30–23 victory.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings – December 26th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202112260min.htm |access-date=October 27, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished the 2021 season with 208 carries for 845 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 21 receptions for 128 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Sony Michel 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MichSo00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=October 27, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Michel won his second Super Bowl title when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Paul |date=February 13, 2021 |title=LA Rams defeat Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 2022 |url=https://nypost.com/2022/02/13/la-rams-defeat-cincinnati-bengals-to-win-super-bowl-2022/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=New York Post}} In the Super Bowl, Michel had two carries for two yards.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LVI – Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals – February 13th, 2022 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202202130cin.htm |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Miami Dolphins=
On May 10, 2022, Michel signed with the Dolphins.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2022 |title=Roster Move: Dolphins sign Michel |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/roster-move-dolphins-sign-michel |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}} He was released on August 29, 2022.{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2022 |title=Dolphins make roster moves |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-make-roster-moves-x9948 |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}}
=Los Angeles Chargers=
On August 31, 2022, Michel signed with the Chargers.{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign Running Back Sony Michel |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-sign-rb-sony-michel |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Chargers.com}} He was released on December 31, 2022.{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2022 |title=Los Angeles Chargers Activate Outside Linebacker Joey Bosa |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-activate-outside-linebacker-joey-bosa |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Chargers.com}}
=Los Angeles Rams (second stint)=
On June 20, 2023, Michel signed with the Rams.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Stu |date=June 20, 2023 |title=Rams agree to terms with RB Sony Michel |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-agree-to-terms-with-running-back-sony-michel |access-date=June 20, 2023 |website=TheRams.com}}
Michel announced his retirement on July 29, 2023.{{Cite web |last=DaSilva |first=Cameron |date=July 29, 2023 |title=Rams RB Sony Michel surprisingly decides to retire from NFL |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-rb-sony-michel-surprisingly-013414710.html |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=Yahoo! Sports}} According to Rams head coach Sean McVay, Michel said his body was telling him it was time to retire.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sony-michel-abruptly-retires-from-nfl-two-time-super-bowl-winning-running-back-calls-it-quits-at-age-28/amp/ | title=Sony Michel abruptly retires from NFL: Two-time Super Bowl winning running back calls it quits at age 28 | publisher=CBS Sports | date=July 31, 2023 | accessdate=30 January 2025 | author=Breech, John}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the Super Bowl |
| Bold
| Career high |
= Regular season =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2018 | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|NE
| 13 || 8 || 209 || 931 || 4.5 || 34 || 6 || 7 || 50 || 7.1 || 13 || 0 || 1 || 1 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | NE
| 16 || 14 || 247 || 912 || 3.7 || 26 || 7 || 12 || 94 || 7.8 || 19 || 0 || 2 || 1 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 | NE
| 9 || 6 || 79 || 449 || 5.7 || 48 || 1 || 7 || 114 || 16.3 || 31 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|LAR
| 17 || 7 || 208 || 845 || 4.1 || 39 || 4 || 21|| 128|| 6.1 || 24 || 1|| 1 || 1 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | LAC
| 10 || 0 || 36 || 106 || 2.9 || 12 || 0 || 9 || 53 || 5.9 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MichSo00.htm Career] || 65 || 35 || 779 || 3,243 || 4.2 || 48 || 18 || 56 || 439 || 7.8 || 31 || 2 || 4 || 3 |
= Postseason =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2018 | style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|NE
| 3 || 2 || 71 || 336 || 4.7 || 40 || 6 || 1 || 9 || 9.0 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 || NE
| 1 || 0 || 14 || 61 || 4.4 || 25 || 0 || 2 || 9 || 4.5 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2021 || style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|LAR
| 3 || 1 || 24 || 78 || 3.3 || 35 || 0 || 3 || −8 || −2.7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MichSo00/gamelog/post/ Career] || 7 || 3 || 109 || 475 || 4.4 || 40 || 6 || 6 || 10 || 1.7 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 0 |
Personal life
Michel's older brother, Marken Michel, is a wide receiver for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, and was the 2017 West Division Most Outstanding Rookie with them.{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2017 |title=Shaw CFL Awards Reel: Most Outstanding Rookie – CFL.ca |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2017/11/23/shaw-cfl-awards-reel-most-outstanding-rookie/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=CFL.ca}}{{Cite web |last=Bricker |first=Grant |date=August 16, 2021 |title=Sony Michel reunites with brother Marken and a former Georgia RB at joint Eagles-Patriots practice |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/georgia-football/sony-michel-reunites-with-brother-marken-and-a-former-georgia-rb-at-joint-eagles-patriots-practice/ |access-date=March 28, 2022 |website=Saturday Down South}}
Michel is a Christian. Michel has said, “Without Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior, there is none of this. We get all this glory, but the glory is not for us, it’s for Him. We do this for Him. That’s kind of my purpose. So really, none of this matters to me.”{{Cite web |last=Ackerman |first=Jon |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Rams RB Sony Michel sets out to 'glorify God' no matter the circumstances |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2022/02/11/rams-sony-michel-glorify-god-circumstances/ |access-date=February 12, 2022 |website=Sports Spectrum}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{footballstats|pfr=M/MichSo00|yahoo=31001|espn=3128721}}
- [https://georgiadogs.com/sports/football/roster/sony-michel/1082 Georgia Bulldogs bio]
{{2018 NFL Draft}}
{{PatriotsFirstPick}}
{{Patriots2018DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl LIII}}
{{Super Bowl LVI}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Michel, Sony}}
Category:American football running backs
Category:American sportspeople of Haitian descent
Category:Georgia Bulldogs football players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:New England Patriots players
Category:Los Angeles Rams players
Category:Los Angeles Chargers players
Category:Players of American football from Hollywood, Florida