Mike Utley

Quick Facts

Full Name	Mike Utley
Occupation	Football Player
Date Of Birth	Dec 20, 1965(1965-12-20)
Age	59
Birthplace	Seattle
Country	United States
Birth City	Washington
Horoscope	Sagittarius

Mike Utley Biography

Mike Utley is one of the most popular and richest Football Player who was born on December 20, 1965 in Seattle, Washington, United States. Michael Gerard Utley, born December 20, 1965, is an ex-American football player. From 1989 to 1991, he played for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League. He was paralysed during a game.

Utley was the right-guard for all of 1991’s games. He also served as the full- time right defender until November 17, when he sustained paralysis. Injuries to his sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae happened in the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Rams game. Utley would later discover that he was paralyzed from his chest down. However, he gave the crowd a thumbs up as he was being removed from the field. The Mike Utley Foundation was founded in 1991 by Utley’s agent Bruce Allen to find a cure for paralysis.

He fractured two of his ribs during the second preseason game in 1990. He was then out for the final preseason game as well as the first three regular- season games. Utley was able to play in the second half the two following games. Utley was injured in the third quarter and missed the sixth game. He played in only the second half of the season.

Mike Utley Net Worth

Mike Utley is one of the richest Football Player from United States. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Mike Utley 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Utley graduated from Kennedy Catholic High School in Seattle. He attended Washington State University, Pullman, and was a senior member of the 1988 Cougar winning team at the Aloha Bowl. This was Washington’s first win since the 1916 Rose Bowl. He was also named MVP. That season, Utley earned consensus All-American honors. This was only the second time that Cougar had achieved this feat. Utley was inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and elected to the College Football Hall of Fame for 2016.

Utley, an offensive lineman for the Detroit Lions was drafted in the third round, 59th overall, of the 1989 NFL Draft. Utley was the Lions’ starting right guard in his rookie season. Utley started five of the first five games but was hurt in the fifth against the Minnesota Vikings. Utley was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the year.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Mike Utley height Not available right now. Mike weight 131 kg & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Mike Utley Dating?

According to our records, Mike Utley married to Dani Utely. As of December 1, 2023, Mike Utley’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Mike Utley. You may help us to build the dating records for Mike Utley!

Facts & Trivia

Mike Ranked on the list of most popular Football Player. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in United States. Mike Utley celebrates birthday on December 20 of every year.

Top Facts about Mike Utley

1. Mike Utley played for the Detroit Lions from 1989-1991.
2. He was paralyzed during a game in 1991.
3. The injury occurred when he made a routine tackle.
4. Utley’s famous “thumbs up” gesture inspired many.
5. He founded the Mike Utley Foundation to support spinal cord research.
6. Utley has received numerous awards for his courage and advocacy work.
7. His jersey number, 60, was retired by the Lions in 1994.
8. Utley remains an inspiration to athletes and fans alike.
9. He continues to raise awareness about spinal cord injuries and research.
10. Despite his injury, Utley maintains a positive outlook on life.

Who was the last NFL player to be paralyzed?

No. 60
College:| Washington State
NFL Draft:| 1989 / Round: 3 / Pick: 59
Career history
Detroit Lions (1989–1991)

How was Utley paralyzed?

NFL Career / Injury In 1989 Mike Utley was drafted 3rd pick in the third round by the Detroit Lions and in his rookie year became the starting right guard. On November 17, 1991 while playing against the Los Angeles Rams Mike fractured his 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae and became instantly paralyzed.

What happened to Mike Utley Detroit Lions?

Blood clots in 1991 nearly ended his life. Twice in 2018 he contracted an infection in his vertebrae. Steel rods were inserted and life went on. Utley makes it clear there’s only one way he can live.

Did Utley walk again?

A burning sensation overwhelmed Utley’s body as he endured a spinal cord injury that eventually paralyzed him from the chest down. He would be carted off the field, but not before flashing the fans with a thumbs up for good measure. Twenty-five years later, the big fella has regained use in his upper body.

Has anyone died in the NFL?

Charles Frederick Hughes (March 2, 1943 – October 24, 1971) was an American football player, a wide receiver in the National Football League from 1967 to 1971. He is, to date, the only NFL player to die on the field during a game.