Michael Lemon

Michael Lemon played junior college football in 1971-72 at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Went on to star at the University of Kansas as a defensive tackle / nose-guard. Although Michael was small and light for a nose-guard (6' 2", 220 lbs.) he was noted for his quickness in getting off the line and getting to the ball carrier. Michael's standout defensive play helped lead Kansas to a 7-3-1 record in 1973, as they tied Nebraska for second place in the Big 8 Conference. Michael then played in the Liberty Bowl on December 17, 1973, which KU lost to North Carolina State, 31-18. In his senior year at KU, Michael set a team record for most tackles in a season by a nose-guard (106). He was honored by being named to the "All-Big 8 Conference" defensive team, as its nose-guard / nose tackle. The New Orleans Saints drafted Michael in the 6th round of the 1975 NFL draft. Primarily a "special teams player," Michael played 22 games with the Saints, Denver Broncos, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1975-77. He started the final game of Tampa Bay's inaugural season (1976), and made 6 solo tackles in the Bucs' 31-14 loss to the Patriots. Michael played in all 14 games for Tampa in 1977, including the first two victories in the team's history: a 33-14 win against his former team, the Saints; and a 14-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Michael modeled for print ads and TV commercials, leading to his acting career in the 1980s. He is now retired from acting and lives in Chesterfield (St. Louis County), Missouri. He is one of only 10 alumni of Ellsworth Community College to play in the NFL.