Mike Zentic Explained

Number:62
Position:Center
Birth Date:November 22, 1963
Birth Place:Tecumseh, Nebraska
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:255
High School:Lincoln (NE) East
College:Oklahoma State
Undraftedyear:1987
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:3
Pfr:ZentMi20

Michael Lee Zentic (born November 22, 1963) is a former American football center in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Oklahoma State University.

Early years

Zentic attended Lincoln East High School, where he was coached in football by his father Lee. He received All-conference honors as a senior.[1] He enrolled at Division II Northwest Missouri State University, where he was named a starter at center.[2]

He transferred to Oklahoma State University after his third year.[3] As a senior, he was named the starter at offensive tackle in the fifth game of the season against the University of Nebraska,[1] after not being able to beat Tony Wilkins for the starting center position.[4]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Zentic was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 1987 NFL draft. He was waived on September 1.[5]

After the NFLPA strike was declared on the third week of the 1987 season, those contests were canceled (reducing the 16 game season to 15) and the NFL decided that the games would be played with replacement players. He was re-signed to be a part of the Dallas replacement team that was given the mock name "Rhinestone Cowboys" by the media.[6] He started 3 games at center. He was cut on October 20, at the end of the strike.[7]

Kansas City Chiefs

On July 11, 1988, he was signed as a free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs.[8] He was released on August 22.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zentic's Return to Nebraska Causes Color Crisis in Family . January 12, 2019.
  2. Web site: ALL-TIME ROSTER . January 12, 2019.
  3. Web site: OSU's "Old Man' Finally Gets Shot as Starter. January 12, 2019.
  4. Web site: Jones Sees Fast Improvement in Cowboys in 1987 . January 12, 2019.
  5. Web site: King One of Several Vets Clipped From NFL Rosters . January 12, 2019.
  6. News: Who's playing today and for whom. Lakeland Ledger. October 4, 1987.
  7. Web site: Cowboys . April 21, 2018.
  8. Web site: Transactions . January 12, 2019.
  9. Web site: Transactions . January 12, 2019.