Mike Stensrud Explained

Mike Stensrud
Number:67, 74, 94, 75
Position:Defensive end
Defensive tackle
Birth Date:19 February 1956
Birth Place:Forest City, Iowa, U.S.
Death Place:Lake Mills, Iowa, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:5
Weight Lb:280
High School:Lake Mills (IA)
College:Iowa State
Draftyear:1979
Draftround:2
Draftpick:31
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Sacks
Statvalue1:29.5
Statlabel2:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue2:6
Statlabel3:Interceptions
Statvalue3:2
Pfr:StenMi20

Michael Iver Stensrud (February 19, 1956 – August 23, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a defensive lineman for five teams in 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He wrestled for Lake Mills High School, winning the unlimited heavyweight bracket in the state tournament.[1] He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones, also tried out for the Cyclones wrestling team,[2] and was selected in the second round of the 1979 NFL draft.[3] [4]

After retiring from professional football, Stensrud lived in Houston, Texas. At his wife Laura's urging, Stensrud moved back to his hometown of Lake Mills, Iowa, where he worked at a lumber yard.[5] In 2000, Stensrud was inducted into the Iowa State Cyclones Hall of Fame.[6]

Stensrud coached the Lake Mills High football team while his son Andy played.[5] Andy was also recruited by Iowa State University as a basketball player.[7] During Andy's stint on the Iowa State Cyclones football team, he roomed with J. J. Moses.[8] Andy Stensrud was not selected in the 2001 NFL draft, signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent,[9] joined the New York Giants for training camp the following season,[10] [11] and was signed by the Houston Texans in 2003.[12]

Stensrud had two other sons, Kevin and Michael.[13]

Stensrud served on the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors from 2009 to 2020.[14] [15] Stensrud, a Republican, was unopposed in his 2012 reelection bid,[16] faced Gary Ludwig in the 2016 Republican Party primary and Democratic candidate Mike Huan in the subsequent general election,[17] [18] then defeated Huan again in 2020.[19]

Stensrud died in Lake Mills, Iowa, on August 23, 2024, at the age of 68.[20] [21]

Notes and References

  1. News: Goodwin . Cody . The Des Moines Register's 50 greatest Iowa high school football players . August 25, 2024 . Des Moines Register . August 30, 2018 . Mike Stensrud, DL, Lake Mills All-state pick in 1973. Stensrud won a state wrestling title in the unlimited heavyweight division as a senior in 1974. He went on to play for Iowa State and then played 11 years in the National Football League..
  2. News: Bye . Dale . 'Really not much to do' . Globe Gazette . July 5, 1975 . Next year will be different for the younger Stensrud. He's not only going to play football, but he's planning on going out for the Cyclone wrestling team as well. "I never like wrestling until my senior year in high school," the 270-pounder grinned. "I guess I quit the team at least three times when I was a junior, but I always went back. But I sort of missed not wrestling last year.".
  3. Web site: Mike Stensrud. NFL.com. 2010-12-14.
  4. Web site: Mike Stensrud. Pro Football Reference. 2010-12-14.
  5. News: Iowa farm boy turned pro-football player returns to rural roots . August 25, 2024 . Post Bulletin . Associated Press . December 29, 1994.
  6. News: Mike Stensrud . August 25, 2024 . Iowa State Cyclones.
  7. News: Wolf . Sarah . One recruit for two ISU sports . August 25, 2024 . Iowa State Daily . February 12, 1997.
  8. News: Kopatich . Bill . Family tradition continues . August 25, 2024 . Iowa State Daily . September 10, 1997.
  9. News: Stensrud signs with Cardinals . August 27, 2024 . Albert Lea Tribune . April 24, 2001.
  10. News: Hardcastle . Kirk . Pro football: Stensrud looks to cash in on second chance . August 27, 2024 . Globe Gazette . July 7, 2002.
  11. News: Olney . Buster . PRO FOOTBALL; Containing Owens Is Just One of the Giants' Concerns . August 27, 2024 . The New York Times . August 31, 2002.
  12. News: Texans Sign Son of Former Oiler . August 27, 2024 . The Edwardsville Intelligencer . January 13, 2003.
  13. News: Tink-Stensrud . August 27, 2024 . Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier . February 27, 2005.
  14. News: Ex-NFL player sentenced for being drunk, armed at Iowa county's board of supervisors meeting . August 25, 2024 . Des Moines Register . Associated Press . February 10, 2020.
  15. News: Shea . Caden . Former Lake Mills, ISU and NFL star Mike Stensrud passes away at 68 . Globe Gazette . August 25, 2024 . August 24, 2024.
  16. News: Iowa primary election results . August 25, 2024 . Albert Lea Tribune . June 7, 2012.
  17. News: Unofficial primary results . August 25, 2024 . Lake Mills Graphic . June 2016.
  18. News: Fiorini . Courtney . Several contested races in Tuesday primary election . August 25, 2024 . Globe Gazette . June 4, 2016.
  19. News: Peterson wins reelection in close race for Winnebago County Sheriff . August 25, 2024 . Buffalo Center Tribune . June 22, 2020.
  20. News: ISU Mourns Loss of Hall of Famer Mike Stensrud . August 25, 2024 . Iowa State Cyclones . August 23, 2024.
  21. News: Jacobs . John . Michael "Mike" Iver Stensrud . August 26, 2024 . KIOW.

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