Mike Prior was a standout multi-sport athlete at Marian High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. At Illinois State University, he set numerous football records, including an enduring Missouri Valley Conference record with 23 career interceptions. A three-time Division I-AA All-American Defensive Back, Prior also excelled in baseball, leading ISU with a .388 batting average.
In 1985, Prior was selected in the 7th round of the NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and in the 4th round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Opting for football, he enjoyed a 13-season NFL career, playing for the Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, and Green Bay Packers. He recorded 35 interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries and contributed to the Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI victory.
Prior’s remarkable dual-sport accomplishments and his contributions on the field solidify his legacy as one of Illinois State’s most celebrated athletes and a reliable NFL defensive back.
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