Mike Morris (long snapper) explained

Mike Morris
Current Title:Strength and conditioning coach
Current Team:Concordia–St. Paul
Current Conference:NSIC
Birth Date:22 February 1961
Birth Place:Centerville, Iowa, U.S.
Alma Mater:Northeast Missouri State University
Player Years1:1979–1982
Player Team1:Northeast Missouri State
Player Years2:1983
Player Team2:Michigan Panthers
Player Years3:1984
Player Team3:Arizona Outlaws
Player Years4:1986
Player Team4:Denver Broncos
Player Years5:1987–1988
Player Team5:St. Louis / Phoenix Cardinals
Player Years6:1989
Player Team6:Kansas City Chiefs
Player Years7:1989
Player Team7:New England Patriots
Player Years8:1990
Player Team8:Seattle Seahawks
Player Years9:1990
Player Team9:Cleveland Browns
Player Years10:1991–1999
Player Team10:Minnesota Vikings
Player Positions:Long snapper
Coach Years1:2011–present
Coach Team1:Concordia–St. Paul (S&C)

Mike Morris (born February 22, 1961) is an American former football long snapper who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 season. He played college football for the Northeast Missouri State Bulldogs. He also played in the United States Football League (USFL) for two seasons. He currently serves as the strength and conditioning coach at Concordia University, St. Paul.[1] [2]

Playing career

Morris was a four-year starter at Northeast Missouri State (now known as Truman State University), and entered the National Football League as an undrafted free agent. He played brief stints for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs, the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Cleveland Browns before settling in as the long snapper for the Minnesota Vikings, where he played at a high level consistently throughout the 1990s.

Coaching career

On July 28, 2011, Morris was hired as the Strength and conditioning coach at the Concordia University, St. Paul.

Broadcasting

Following the end of his football career, Morris took over the morning drive time slot on sports radio station KFAN. Morris broadcast using the moniker 'Superstar Mike Morris.' His show was known as The Power Trip Morning Show, and every show had a common theme ending with a tribute to a particular soldier and a thanks to the soldiers of the US armed forces. 'The Power Trip Morning Show' continues to air as of July 2020 with other local personalities (and no longer features the traditional ending). Morris was also the co-host of Vikings Fanline, adding his thoughts (as a former NFL player) after games, often including banter and strong opinions with live callers over the radio airwaves.

In 2001, Morris was offered the position of Minnesota Vikings radio play by play announcer by KFAN after Lee Hamilton was fired after one preseason game. Morris's hiring, however, was vetoed by the Vikings & the job was given to Terry Stembridge, Jr.[3]

On September 9, 2013, Morris and co-host Bob Sansevere started "Mike & Bob Afternoons" on WGVX 105 The Ticket. Sansevere later got his own time slot, Morris teamed with co-host Ben Holsen on a new show called "Radioactive Sports". The format for both shows was Minnesota sports talk. 105 The Ticket later changed its format thus eliminating all local programming and ending Radioactive Sports.

Morris currently appears on ESPN1500 in Minneapolis during the Mackey & Judd show. He is generally on Mondays and Fridays, and also hosts Viking Ventline for the station. Morris is the owner of a physical conditioning studio in Burnsville, Minnesota, the "MILO Barbell Company".[4] He was released from the station as part of broader layoffs in August 2018.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Concordia Announces Hiring of 'the Superstar' Mike Morris. northernsun.org. July 28, 2011. November 16, 2023.
  2. Web site: Mike Morris - Football. cspbears.com. November 16, 2023.
  3. http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/10173 COAST TO COAST – SportsBusiness Daily | SportsBusiness Journal | SportsBusiness Daily Global
  4. Web site: Power Trip 4th Hour. 5 June 2012.
  5. Web site: ESPN 1500 Announces Programming Changes KSTP.com . kstp.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180811024422/https://kstp.com/news/espn-1500-announces-programming-changes-joe-soucheray-pat-reusse/5025865/ . 2018-08-11.