Professional Football Player. For thirteen seasons (1958 to 1969 and 1971), he played at the defensive end and kicker positions in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts and Green Bay Packers. Born Louis Andrew Michaels, he made his initial imprint on the gridiron during his years at Swoyersville High School in Pennsylvania and continued his athletic excellence at the University of Kentucky. While with the Wildcats, Michaels achieved All-American honors twice and earned Most Valuable Player recognition in the Southeastern Conference in 1957. He finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy that year. Selected by the Rams as the fourth overall pick during the first round of the 1958 NFL Draft, he totaled 171 career regular season games. He achieved Pro-Bowl honors twice (1962 and 1963). In 1962, he led the league with 26 field goals made and in 1964, he topped the league with his 53 extra points made. He contributed to the Baltimore Colts' reaching of the World Championship Game (Super Bowl III) in 1969, however he failed on two field goal attempts during the contest for which the New York Jets would go on to win. His jersey number 79 was retired by the University of Kentucky in 1990 and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992. He was inducted into the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. He was a charter member of the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. His older brother Walt Michaels was a former NFL player and coach. Lou died from pancreatic cancer.
Professional Football Player. For thirteen seasons (1958 to 1969 and 1971), he played at the defensive end and kicker positions in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts and Green Bay Packers. Born Louis Andrew Michaels, he made his initial imprint on the gridiron during his years at Swoyersville High School in Pennsylvania and continued his athletic excellence at the University of Kentucky. While with the Wildcats, Michaels achieved All-American honors twice and earned Most Valuable Player recognition in the Southeastern Conference in 1957. He finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy that year. Selected by the Rams as the fourth overall pick during the first round of the 1958 NFL Draft, he totaled 171 career regular season games. He achieved Pro-Bowl honors twice (1962 and 1963). In 1962, he led the league with 26 field goals made and in 1964, he topped the league with his 53 extra points made. He contributed to the Baltimore Colts' reaching of the World Championship Game (Super Bowl III) in 1969, however he failed on two field goal attempts during the contest for which the New York Jets would go on to win. His jersey number 79 was retired by the University of Kentucky in 1990 and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992. He was inducted into the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. He was a charter member of the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. His older brother Walt Michaels was a former NFL player and coach. Lou died from pancreatic cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
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