Mike Lucci
No. 52, 53 | |
Born: |
Ambridge, Pennsylvania | December 29, 1939
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Career information | |
Position(s) | Linebacker |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
Weight | 230 lb (100 kg) |
College | Tennessee |
NFL draft | 1961 / Round: 5 / Pick: 69 |
Drafted by | Cleveland Browns |
Career history | |
As player | |
1962–1964 | Cleveland Browns |
1965–1973 | Detroit Lions |
Career highlights and awards | |
Pro Bowls | 1 |
Michael Gene Lucci (born December 29, 1939) is a former National Football League player for the Cleveland Browns for 3 seasons from 1962 to 1964 and 9 seasons with the Detroit Lions from 1965 to 1973. Lucci played collegiately at the University of Tennessee and for one year at the University of Pittsburgh.
Lucci joined the Lions as the result of a trade during training camp in August 1965. The Browns traded Lucci and a draft pick to the New York Giants in exchange for all-pro cornerback Erich Barnes. The Giants sent Lucci, guard Darrell Dess and a draft pick to Detroit in exchange for quarterback Earl Morrall.[1]
He was a 6'2", 230-pound middle linebacker known for his ability to play through injury. Lucci’s defensive coverage abilities earned him a total of 21 career interceptions with Detroit. He returned four of those interceptions for touchdowns. Lucci was voted by his teammates the Lions’ Defensive Most Valuable Player from 1969-1971. In addition, he was All-NFL in 1969, NFC All-Conference in 1970-1971. Lucci was named to the Pro Bowl following the 1971 season where he intercepted five passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
Lucci also appeared as himself in the 1968 film Paper Lion, and from 1976 to 1978 served as a color analyst for Lions broadcasts on WJR radio.
Business career
After retiring from the NFL Lucci was a successful business executive and entrepreneur. He is the former president of Bally Total Fitness which at the time was the largest commercial operator of fitness centers in the United States.
Currently
Lucci divides his time between homes in Michigan and Palm Beach County, Florida.
References
- ↑ William N. Wallace (August 30, 1965). "Giants Get Morrall as Quarterback, Give Up Dess, Barnes in 3-Club Trade" (PDF). NYTimes.com.
External links
- Mike Lucci career stats
- The Pennsylvania Football News All-Century Team
- Bally Total Fitness Official website