Mike Vrabel life and biography

Michael George "Mike" Vrabel born August 14, 1975 in Akron, Ohio is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Vrabel played college football at Ohio State.

He also spent eight seasons with the New England Patriots, where he set NFL records as a linebacker.

Vrabel's Career

Pro Career: Playoff-tested linebacker enters his 14th NFL campaign and his second season with the Chiefs in 2010 ... Re-signed with Kansas City after being acquired in a trade along with QB Matt Cassel from New England on February 28, 2009 in exchange for the Chiefs second-round pick (34th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft ... Has played in four Super Bowls and was part of the Patriots squads that won Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX ... A consummate pro who has a reputation for making his teammates better ... Versatile and hard-working performer has the ability to work at either inside or outside linebacker ... Has played in both 4-3 and 3-4 alignments ... Started 14 games at left outside linebacker for the Chiefs a year ago ... Enjoyed eight stellar seasons in New England (2001-08) after beginning his career in Pittsburgh (’97-00) ... Earned his initial Pro Bowl berth following the 2007 campaign when New England became the first club in league annals to register a 16-0 mark in the regular season ... Also was a first-team AP All-Pro selection following the 2007 season ... Ranks third among NFL linebackers with 50.0 sacks dating back to 2001 ... Seasoned performer has played in 190 games (124 starts), giving him the most career games played of any current member of the Chiefs ... Has recorded 746 tackles (495 solo), 57.0 sacks (-346.5 yards), 11 INTs for 73 yards with one TD, 40 passes defensed, 18 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and 16 QB pressures ... A threat to score in goal-line situations, owns nine catches for 12 yards with nine TDs ... Has returned five kickoffs for 31 yards and has 47 special teams tackles ... Has seen duty in 19 postseason contests (17 starts), by far the highest total of any current Chiefs player ... Has 95 tackles (65 solo), 8.0 sacks (-58.0 yards), three passes defensed, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two special teams tackles and two TD catches.

Transactions: Signed contract extension with Kansas City (3/4/10) ... Traded to Kansas City along with QB Matt Cassel in exchange for a 2009 second-round pick (34th overall - used on S Eugene Chung) from New England (2/28/09) ... Signed with New England as an unrestricted free agent from Pittsburgh (3/16/01) ... Originally entered the NFL as a third-round pick (91st overall) of Pittsburgh in the ’97 NFL Draft.

Kansas City (2009): Started 14 games at LOLB and saw action in short-yardage situations in four contests on offense ... Was inactive for two games with a knee injury ... Contributed 65 tackles (42 solo) with two for loss, 2.0 sacks (-11.0 yards), six QB pressures, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and five passes defensed ... Had one catch for a one-yard TD ... Produced seven tackles and one pass defensed at Baltimore (9/13) ... Collected three tackles and one pass defensed vs. Oakland (9/20) ... Registered five tackles and two passes defensed at Philadelphia (9/27) ... Totaled seven tackles vs. the N.Y. Giants (10/4) ... Caught a one-yard TD pass from QB Matt Cassel vs. Dallas (10/11) ... Registered four tackles and a sack and strip of Todd Collins at Washington (10/18). Also recovered a RB Clinton Portis fumble and added a QB pressure ... Amassed four tackles and one QB pressure vs. San Diego (10/25) ... Compiled seven tackles and three QB pressures at Jacksonville (11/8) ... Left the game with a knee injury at Oakland (11/15) ... Was inactive with a knee injury vs. Pittsburgh (11/22) and at San Diego (11/29), ending his streak of 99 consecutive games played ... Returned to the starting lineup vs. Denver (12/6), recording seven tackles with one for loss vs. Denver (12/6) ... Posted three tackles, a sack and strip of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and one QB pressure vs. Buffalo (12/13) ... Recorded four tackles vs. Cleveland (12/20) ... Compiled seven tackles at Cincinnati (12/27) ... Tallied three tackles and a pass defensed at Denver (1/3/10).

New England (2001-08): Played in 125 games (110 starts) ... Compiled 638 tackles (422 solo), 48.0 sacks (-300.5 yards), 11 INTs for 73 yards with one TD, 34 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 10 QB pressures ... Also had eight catches for 11 yards with eight TDs ... Added 24 special teams tackles and three kickoff returns for 25 yards ... Started 17 postseason contests, including four Super Bowls ... Recorded 93 tackles (63 solo), 7.0 sacks (-50.0 yards), three passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries ... Caught two passes for three yards with two TDs.

2008: Played in 16 games (14 starts) ... Recorded 67 tackles (36 solo), 4.0 sacks (-23.0 yards), 10 QB pressures, an INT, four passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a special teams tackle ... Tallied four tackles, 2.0 sacks of Damon Huard and three QB pressures vs. Kansas City (9/7) ... Played as a reserve LB at San Diego (10/12) and vs. Denver (10/20) ... Posted seven tackles vs. St. Louis (10/26) ... Totaled five tackles and a sack of Chad Pennington at Miami (11/23) ... Intercepted a Ben Roethlisberger pass vs. Pittsburgh (11/30) ... Amassed a season-high nine tackles (seven solo) at Seattle (12/7) ... Collected seven tackles to go with a sack and strip of JaMarcus Russell at Oakland (12/14) ... Produced seven tackles and recovered a QB Trent Edwards fumble at Buffalo (12/28).

2007: Saw action in 16 games (15 starts) ... Registered 77 tackles (53 solo), a career-high 12.5 sacks (-70.5 yards) and four forced fumbles ... Also caught two passes for three yards with two TDs ... Elected to his first career Pro Bowl ... His 12.5 sacks tied for the third-highest seasonal total in New England history ... Tallied 2.5 sacks and forced a QB Kellen Clemens fumble at the N.Y. Jets (9/9), 1.5 sacks off Chad Pennington and 1.0 against Clemens ... Posted a sack of Philip Rivers vs. San Diego (9/16) ... Caught a one-yard TD pass at Cincinnati (10/1) ... Had a sack of Cleo Lemon at Miami (10/21) ... Tied a career high with 15 tackles (11 solo) to go with 3.0 sack and strips of Jason Campbell vs. Washington (10/28) to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Also caught a two-yard TD pass ... Dropped Peyton Manning for a sack at Indianapolis (11/4) ... Notched a sack of JP Losman at Buffalo (11/18) ... Posted 3.0 sacks of Cleo Lemon vs. Miami (12/23) ... Had two tackles, a pass defensed and recovered a QB David Garrard fumble in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. Jacksonville (1/12/08) ... Recorded two tackles in the AFC Championship Game vs. San Diego (1/20/08) and in Super Bowl XLII vs. the N.Y. Giants (2/3/08).

2006: Started all 16 games for the second time in his career ... Tallied 101 tackles (59 solo), 4.5 sacks (-32.5 yards), four passes defensed and three forced fumbles ... Recorded 11 tackles vs. Buffalo (9/10) ... Had a sack and strip of JP Losman at Buffalo (10/22) ... Posted seven tackles and an INT off Brad Johnson at Minnesota (10/30) ... Compiled six tackles and a half of a sack and strip of Aaron Rodgers at Green Bay (11/19) ... Amassed 10 tackles, intercepted two passes off Jon Kitna and recovered a RB Kevin Jones fumble vs. Detroit (12/3) ... Had a sack and strip of Vince Young at Tennessee (12/31) ... Notched eight tackles in an AFC Wild Card Game vs. the N.Y. Jets (1/7/07) ... Credited with six tackles and a sack and strip of Philip Rivers in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game at San Diego (1/14/07) ... Produced six tackles and a sack of Peyton Manning in the AFC Championship Game at Indianapolis (1/21/07).

2005: Started all 16 games for the first time in his career ... Totaled a career-high 114 tackles (80 solo) to lead the team along with 4.5 sacks (-27.0 yards), two INTs for 23 yards with a TD, five passes defensed and one forced fumble ... Also had six special teams tackles ... Added three catches for four yards with three TDs ... Named to the USA Today All-Joe Team ... Voted defensive captain by his teammates ... Returned a Jake Delhomme interception for a 24-yard TD at Carolina (9/18) ... Notched a career-high 15 tackles (11 solo) and a sack of Kelly Holcomb vs. Buffalo (10/30) ... Had 11 tackles and caught a one-yard TD vs. New Orleans (11/20) ... Notched a sack and strip of Chris Simms vs. Tampa Bay (12/17) ... Had a team-high seven tackles, a sack of Brooks Bollinger and caught two TD passes at the N.Y. Jets (12/26) ... Posted 10 tackles in an AFC Wild Card Game vs. Jacksonville (1/7/06) ... Produced seven tackles in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Denver (1/14/06).

2004: Appeared in 16 games (15 solo) ... Tallied 76 tackles (59 solo), 5.5 sacks (-48.5 yards), three passes defensed and five special teams tackles ... Added two receptions for three yards with two TDs ... Had a sack of Josh McCown at Arizona (9/19) ... Collected nine tackles and a sack of Drew Bledsoe at Buffalo (10/3) ... Sacked Matt Hasselbeck vs. Seattle (10/17) ... Registered nine tackles and made a diving two-yard TD catch at St. Louis (11/7) ... Sacked Luke McCown at Cleveland (12/5) ... Recorded half a sack of A.J. Feeley at Miami (12/20) ... Sacked Chad Pennington at the N.Y. Jets (12/26) ... Had a one-yard TD reception vs. San Francisco (1/2/05) ... Notched eight tackles and had a sack and strip of Peyton Manning in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. Indianapolis (1/16/05) ... Registered six tackles in the AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh (1/23/05) ... Collected four tackles and a sack of Donovan McNabb in Super Bowl XXXIX vs. Philadelphia (2/6/05) and caught a two-yard TD.

2003: Appeared in 13 games (nine starts) and was inactive for three contests ... Totaled 68 tackles (47 solo), 9.5 sacks (-55.5 yards), two INTs for 18 yards, four passes defensed, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery ... Also had one special teams tackle and two kickoff returns for 22 yards ... Named to the USA Today All-Joe Team ... Earned All-Pro honors from SI.com and USA Today ... Was the team’s recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award ... Registered a career-high 3.0 sacks, 1.0 of Tim Couch and 2.0 of Kelly Holcomb vs. Cleveland (10/26) and also forced a Holcomb fumble ... Tallied 11 tackles, 2.0 sacks of Jay Fiedler vs. Miami (12/7). One sack resulted in a safety, while another was a sack and strip. Also recovered a Fiedler fumble ... Had eight tackles and a sack of Steve McNair in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. Tennessee (1/10/04) ... Amassed seven tackles in the AFC Championship Game vs. Indianapolis (1/18/04) ... Registered six tackles, 2.0 sacks of Jake Delhomme, including a sack and strip in Super Bowl XXXVIII vs. Carolina (2/1/04). Also caught a one-yard TD pass to become the first defensive player to score in the Super Bowl since Chicago DT William Perry in Super Bowl XX (1/26/86).

2002: Saw action in 16 games (13 starts) ... Posted 75 tackles (51 solo), 4.5 sacks (-29.5 yards), an INT, five passes defensed and two fumble recoveries ... Also had eight special teams tackles and a one-yard TD catch ... Intercepted a Kordell Stewart pass vs. Pittsburgh (9/9) ... Had a sack of Trent Green vs. Kansas City (9/22) ... Recovered a FB Fred McCrary fumble and recorded a one-yard TD catch at San Diego (9/29), becoming the first Patriots defensive player to catch a TD pass since LB John Tanner at Baltimore (11/24/74) ... Had a sack of Jay Fiedler at Miami (10/6) ... Sacked Drew Bledsoe at Buffalo (11/3) ... Posted a sack of Jim Miller at Chicago (11/10) ... Recovered a RB Michael Bennett fumble vs. Minnesota (11/24) ... Had half of a sack of Steve McNair at Tennessee (12/16).

2001: Appeared in 16 games (12 starts), tallying 60 tackles (37 solo), 3.0 sacks (-14.0 yards), two INTs, nine passes defensed and three special teams tackles ... Registered his first career INT off Jay Fiedler at Miami (10/7) ... Produced six tackles and a sack of Peyton Manning at Indianapolis (10/21) ... Recorded 1.5 sacks, half of a sack of Chris Chandler and 1.0 sack of Michael Vick at Atlanta (11/4) ... Intercepted a Vinny Testaverde pass at the N.Y. Jets (12/2) ... Had nine tackles and half of a sack of Tim Couch vs. Cleveland (12/9) ... Credited with three tackles in an AFC Divisional Game vs. Oakland (1/19/02) ... Amassed four tackles in the AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh (1/27/02) ... Had four tackles and forced a Kurt Warner INT that CB Ty Law returned for a 47-yard TD in Super Bowl XXXVI vs. St. Louis (2/3/02).

Pittsburgh (1997-00): Played in 51 games ... Registered 43 tackles (31 solo), 7.0 sacks (-35.0 yards), one pass defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries ... Also had 23 special teams tackles ... Saw action in two postseason contests, registering two solo tackles, a sack (-8.0 yards) and one forced fumble.

2000: Played in 15 games as a reserve defensive end and linebacker ... Produced six tackles (three solo), a sack (-3.0 yards), a fumble recovery and 12 special teams tackles ... Had a sack of Tony Banks vs. Baltimore (9/3) ... Tallied a career-high three special teams tackles at the N.Y. Jets (10/8).

1999: Appeared in 10 contests and was inactive for six contests ... Registered eight tackles (five solo), 2.0 sacks (-7.0 yards), one forced fumble and five special teams tackles ... Was inactive the first six games of the season with a fractured left arm ... Posted a sack of Chris Chandler vs. Atlanta (10/25) ... Recorded three tackles at San Francisco (11/7) ... Had a sack of Tim Couch vs. Cleveland (11/14) ... Forced a WR Reggie Barlow fumble at Jacksonville (12/2).

1998: Saw duty in 11 games and was inactive for five contests ... Posted 12 tackles (nine solo), 2.5 sacks (-21.0 yards) and six special teams tackles ... Had half of a sack of Erik Kramer vs. Chicago (9/13) ... Recorded a sack of Neil O’Donnell and two QB pressures at Cincinnati (10/11) ... Totaled a sack of Eric Zeier and three QB pressures vs. Baltimore (10/18) ... Was inactive at Kansas City (10/26), vs. Tennessee (11/1), vs. Green Bay (11/9), at Tennessee (11/15) and vs. Jacksonville (11/22) with an ankle injury.

1997: Played in 15 games and was inactive for one contest ... Tallied 17 tackles (14 solo), 1.5 sacks (-4.0 yards), two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery ... Registered a sack and strip of Vinny Testaverde at Baltimore (10/5) ... Produced four tackles in addition to forcing and recovering a WR Ryan Yarborough fumble vs. Baltimore (11/9) ... Had half of a sack at Arizona (11/30) as Pittsburgh recorded a team-record 10.0 sacks ... Registered a sack of Drew Bledsoe and forced a Bledsoe fumble in the final two minutes of the Steelers 7-6 victory in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. New England (1/3/98) ... Saw action in the AFC Championship Game vs. Denver (1/11/98).

College: A four-year letterman at Ohio State, setting school career records with 36.0 sacks and 66.0 tackles for loss ... Named first-team All-America by Walter Camp and the American Football Coaches Association as a senior in ’96 ... Also earned All-Big Ten honors and was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season ... Recorded 48 tackles (31 solo) and tied for the team lead with 9.0 sacks ... Started all 13 games as a junior in ’95, producing a Big Ten single-season record 26.0 stops for loss ... Tied for the top Big Ten seasonal mark and set a school single-season record with 13.0 sacks ... Opened all 13 contests as a sophomore in ’94, recording 12.0 sacks ... Earned All-Big Ten Conference and Academic All-Big Ten first-team honors ... Saw action in every game as a freshman in ’93 ... Majored in Pre-Med at Ohio State.

Personal

• A second-team All-America pick by USA Today as a senior at Walsh Jesuit High School in Akron, Ohio.
• Earned Ohio Player of the Year honors from the Columbus Touchdown Club.
• Voted the District Player of the Year by the Akron Beacon Journal.
• Also lettered in basketball and track.
• Finished third in the shot put as a junior and fourth as a senior at the State Championship.
• Named a Pro Football Hall of Fame Scholastic Award winner.
• In April 2006, Mike and his wife Jen, made a $75,000 donation to Ohio State in support of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center renovation project.
• Established the Second and Seven Foundation with Ohio State teammates Ryan Miller and Luke Fickell to promote literacy in Central Ohio. The foundation held its 10th annual FUNdamental Football Camp in 2009.
• Full name: Michael George Vrabel
• Married, wife Jen, who played volleyball at Ohio State. The couple has two sons Tyler (10) and Carter (8).

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