Singletary, "Mike" (Michael)
Football
b. Oct. 9, 1958, Houston, TX
A three-year starter as a linebacker at Baylor University, Singletary was voted Southwest Conference player of the year in both 1979 and 1980 and was named to some All-American teams in his senior year.
He joined the NFL's Chicago Bears in 1980 and, as middle linebacker, soon became the leader of a powerful defense that helped take the Bears to a 15-1 record in 1985 and a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
The 5-foot-11, 230-pound Singletary had the size and speed to be a very good linebacker, but his intensity, intelligence, and inspirational leadership lifted him to greatness. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, his first year of eligibility.
A consensus All-Pro from 1983 through 1986, Singletary was named National Football Conference defensive player of the year by United Press International in 1984 and 1985. He retired after the 1992 season. During his 12 seasons with the Bears, he had 44 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries, and 19 quarterback sacks.