Mike Cofer (linebacker)

Mike Cofer
No. 55
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: April 7, 1960
Place of birth: Knoxville, Tennessee
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Rule High School
College: Tennessee
NFL draft: 1983 / Round: 3 / Pick: 67
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Sacks: 62.5
Interceptions: 1
Fumble recoveries: 10
Stats at NFL.com

Michael Lynn "Mike" Cofer (born April 7, 1960 in Knoxville, Tennessee) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1988.

Cofer played college football at Tennessee, where he was a captain of the 1982 squad.[1]

Early life and college career

Cofer was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in the city's Mechanicsville neighborhood. He played high school football at Rule High School.[2] Following his senior season, he was named to the Parade All-American team, and was the number one recruit in the state, with offers from 50 schools.[3]

Cofer played college football at Tennessee from 1979 through the 1982 season. In 1979, he played in all eleven games, registering 27 tackles (11 solo) and a fumble recovery.[1] In 1980, he played in five games, picking up 32 tackles (22 solo), including a sack and two tackles for a loss, as well as two fumble recoveries, before suffering a season-ending knee injury.[4] Cofer played in 10 games in 1981, registering 94 tackles (53 solo) and a blocked punt.[2] He played in 11 games in 1982, tallying 84 tackles (58 solo), including 4 sacks and 5 tackles for a loss, as well as two fumble recoveries.[1] He was named All-SEC following the 1982 season.[5]

At Tennessee, Cofer was known as Mike "Stop" Cofer to distinguish him from his teammate, Mike "Go" Cofer, who played tight end.[4]

Professional career

Cofer was drafted in the 3rd round (67th overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 1983 NFL draft. He played 10 seasons in the NFL, all with the Lions, starting in 104 games.[6] He registered 511 tackles and 63 sacks during his career.[7]

Cofer played in all 16 games during his rookie season, earning 4.5 sacks. During his second season, he moved into the starting lineup, picking up 7 sacks. Initially a defensive end, he switched to linebacker in 1985 when the Lions' new head coach, Darryl Rogers, installed a 3-4 defense. He registered 7.5 sacks in 1986,[8] and would lead the team in sacks each season from 1987 through 1990.[7] He garnered 12 sacks in 1988 to earn an invitation to the Pro Bowl.[8]

Cofer struggled with injuries during the early 1990s, missing most of the 1991 season and part of the 1992 season. After spending the entire 1993 season on injured reserve, he was waived by the Lions.[7]

Later life and family

Cofer lives near Atlanta with his wife, Reba. They have two sons, Michael Isaiah and Philip. His younger brother, Joe, also played for Tennessee.[6] Philip Cofer has committed to play basketball for Florida State, starting in the 2014-15 season.[9]

In 2007, Cofer was diagnosed with amyloidosis.[6]

In September 2013, Cofer was honored as a Vol Legend of the Game during Tennessee's game against South Alabama.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Tennessee Career Football Statistics, UTSports.com. Retrieved: 5 May 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 1982 Tennessee Volunteers Football Program (University of Tennessee, 1982), p. 42.
  3. ↑ 1979 Tennessee Volunteers Football Program (University of Tennessee, 1979), p. 56.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 1981 Tennessee Volunteers Football Program (University of Tennessee, 1981), pp. 40-41.
  5. ↑ 1983 Tennessee Volunteers Football Program (University of Tennessee, 1983), p. 92.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Mike Strange, "Former Vol, Knoxville Native Michael Cofer Fights an Incurable Disease," Knoxnews.com, 4 May 2013. Retrieved: 5 May 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Lions Waive Linebacker Cofer," Ludington (Michigan) Daily News, 15 February 1994.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Doug Warren, "100 Days, 100 Detroit Lions: #76 Michael Cofer," WaketheHerd.com, 26 September 2012. Retrieved: 5 May 2013.
  9. ↑ http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/may/11/cofer-spurns-vols-for-florida-state/
  10. ↑ "Cofer Makes Emotional Return to Neyland," UTSports.com, 1 October 2013. Retrieved: 1 October 2013.

External links