He was cut by the team that drafted him just one season into his NFL career, but a second chance led to his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. College football, however, was always one step of the game in recognizing Steve McMichael’s contribution to the sport, with the Texas Longhorns legend landing in the College Football Hall of Fame years ago.
Steve McMichael’s College Career Gave Glimpse of Ultimate Pro Football Hall of Fame Potential
If you look up resilience in the dictionary, you’ll likely find a photo of standout Texas native McMichael. Now, as he battles ALS to witness his enshrinement, then, as he battled being cut by the New England Patriots, during his career, as he put together a franchise record-breaking 191 consecutive appearances for the Chicago Bears, McMichael would not be stopped.
However, another word should be used to describe his early endeavors on the football field. In fact, two words, a phrase if you will. Supremely talented. At the University of Texas, McMichael was a standout, a stud, a defensively dominant tackle with otherwordly abilities to disrupt. In a time before defensive stats were a real thing, his impact simply couldn’t be measured.
Yet, it could be told. His page on the Texas football website calls him “One of the best in a long line of outstanding UT defensive linemen,” an apt way to describe his talent and his influence. He earned Consensus All-American honors in 1979 during a season in which he was also named the Longhorns’ team MVP.
He also made all-conference that year, and following the season prior. While he would never challenge for the Lou Groza Award in the modern era, McMichael even turned his hand — or should we say, foot — to placekicking. Serving as the Texas backup kicker in 1977, he converted 80% of his 10 extra point attempts, while knocking through two of his three shots at nailing a field goal.
For those who knew McMichael before his college career. That versatility was hardly surprising. While at Freer High School, he played tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball while also competing on the track team. Despite making a name for himself as a defensive dynamo at Texas, he totaled over 1,000 all-purpose yards to earn two-way all-state honors in 1975.
College football knew McMichael’s value long before the NFL ever understood. In 1992, he entered the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. In 1999, he was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor. Some 11 years later, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, alongside titans of the game such as Notre Dame’s Tim Brown and Ohio State’s Chris Spielman.
The Patriots didn’t understand it. Despite bringing him in to play a backup role in 1981, the Bears grew to understand it. During his college career at Texas, McMichael showcased the talent to one day earn a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That day is today.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!