Sommer, Mike

Michael Sandor Sommer

Sommer was a member of the 1959 NFL champion Baltimore Colts.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. October 9, 1934 -

Career Highlights:
Sommer played three seasons as a back at George Washington. The team had a combined record of 15-12-1 during Mike's career and defeated UTEP in the 1957 Sun Bowl, 13-0. In 1955 and 1957, Sommer was named All-Southern Conference first team, and after graduating in 1958, Sommer was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 2nd round (16th overall) of the NFL Draft. Sommer played in only two games for the Redskins (4-7-1) in 1958, and then was sent to the Baltimore Colts during the 1959 season. That year, Mike had his most productive statistical year, playing in eight games for the Colts, with 61 rushes for 227 yards, two touchdowns, and he caught 7 passes for 111 yards. Mike also had eight kick returns for 166 yards. Led by Johnny Unitas, the Colts finished the regular season with a record of 9-3-0. In the NFL Championship game, they defeated the New York Giants, 31-16. Sommer played in one game the following season for the Colts. He started the 1961 season with Baltimore, but then was sent back to the Redskins mid-season. Mike played in six games that season (two for the Colts and four for the Redskins) before temporarily retiring. After sitting out the 1962 season, he played four games in the AFL with the Oakland Raiders in 1963 (the Raiders coach was Al Davis. Mike retired for good after that season, having played in a total of 22 career NFL/AFL games.

Origin:
Washington, D.C.

Career Dates:
Sommer played as a back at George Washington University from 1955-1957. He played as a halfback and defensive back in the NFL for the Washington Redskins from 1958-1959, with the Baltimore Colts from 1959-1960, the Dallas Cowboys in 1960, and in the AFL for the Oakland Raiders in 1963.

Physical description:
5'11", 187 pounds

Career Statistics:
In the NFL/AFL:
Games: 22
Rushes: 78
Rushing yards: 233
Rushing average: 3.0
Rushing touchdowns: 2
Fumbles: 2
Receptions: 9
Receiving yards: 166
Receiving average: 18.4
Punt returns: 9
Punt return yards: 73
Punt return average: 8.1
Kick returns: 23
Kick return yards: 472
Kick return average: 20.5

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References:

The Encyclopedia of Football, by Roger Treat (New York: A.S. Barnes and Co., 1976 -- 14th Edition)
Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League, edited by Bob Carroll, Michael Gershman, David Neft, and John Thorn (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1999)
encyclopedia of JEWS in sports, by Bernard Postal, Jesse Silver, and Roy Silver (New York: Bloch Publishing Co., 1965)